https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/feed.xml Tue, 16 Apr 2019 06:29:08 GMT en-US hourly 1 https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/how-awwa-uses-the-cloud-to-impact-more Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:24:50 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17405 AWWA recently opened its Early Intervention Centre @ Fernvale, residing next to a childcare centre, My First Skool. This is the latest in the nonprofit’s efforts to create an inclusive community in Singapore, and helping the less privileged and disadvantaged lead dignified and independent lives. Founded in 1970, AWWA provides a range of community-based programmes and services to people of all ages. These include early intervention services, education for children and youth with special needs, caregivers support, and health and social outreach services for the elderly. As the nonprofit grew in size and services, it found itself increasingly constrained by its aging IT infrastructure. To streamline its operations and provide better services for its beneficiaries, AWWA decided to implement an organization-wide migration to Office 365. Thanks to the Microsoft suite of tools, the nonprofit now enjoys better data security and privacy, and the IT team has achieved significant time savings on maintenance and management of their systems. Staff have also seen an improvement in mobility and collaboration, with tools such as OneDrive allowing them to work on the move, and with colleagues located in different centers. Microsoft Teams was also implemented in five of AWWA’s Early Intervention Centres to improve internal communications. [caption id="attachment_17415" align="alignnone" width="500"] Microsoft Teams provides a new way for AWWA staff in the Early Intervention Centers to collaborate more seamlessly and efficiently[/caption] “Microsoft Teams is a well-designed solution that has made collaboration easier between team members,” said Kenneth Chee, Systems Analyst at AWWA. “The chat-based workspace allows us to create channels for projects, and share information and documents easily within the application, increasing the speed and ease of internal communications.” In the future, AWWA is further considering the use of Azure and Power BI to obtain greater insights into their current services—to provide better care and support for their beneficiaries. Read the customer story to find out how AWWA revamped its IT infrastructure with Office 365: download the PDF or visit our website    ]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/using-tech-to-serve-communities-better Tue, 01 Aug 2017 09:58:56 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17386 Social Innovation Foundation (SIF) is committed to changing this situation. By connecting them to employment opportunities, SIF hopes to help people with disabilities become contributing members of society, and boost their confidence and self-worth. Now in its fourth year of operations, the nonprofit was looking to scale up to reach more beneficiaries and provide a broader range of services—but the question was, how? “SIF, like many nonprofits in and outside Thailand, did not have the capability to identify their actual needs, nor the capacity to implement a system of technology that suits them best,” said Ildiko Modla-Szalai, Founder of NEEDeed. “By helping nonprofits streamline their operations with the right technology tools, NEEDeed is empowering them to provide better services to more beneficiaries.” NEEDeed identified that one of the main challenges for SIF was the lack of a centralized database, and accompanying processes to ensure that all beneficiary and sponsor information are well-documented for easy access, collaboration and reporting. Microsoft Dynamics 365 was the recommended solution to address this issue. By customizing the tool to the organization’s needs and training their staff, SIF was able to make a smooth transition from their previous paper-based filing system to a digital database in the cloud. Watch the video below to see how Dynamics 365 helped SIF achieve greater operational efficiency, and better internal and external collaboration, both in and outside the office: https://youtu.be/2KM7QqcF73w Learn more about how Modern Nonprofits are benefiting from Microsoft cloud products.]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/nurturing-japans-next-generation-of-social-innovators Tue, 18 Jul 2017 10:09:16 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17356 TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership Program (SIL). Following a five-week experiential training camp in Seattle, Yuto was also part of a YouthSpark Live event that saw 36 graduates from different SIL cohorts come together. At the one-day event, the aspiring social innovators took part in workshops, panel discussions and presentations. They shared their experiences in pursuing social impact and explored new ways of leveraging technology to create positive change in their communities. Using what he has learnt through the camp and the YouthSpark event, Yuto hopes to build a strong network and community of passionate individuals, to make a greater difference. Watch the video below find out more about how the YouthSpark Live event inspired Yuto and the other program graduates to take bigger, bolder steps towards achieving their goals: https://vimeo.com/222079808 Find out more about the TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership program here.]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/an-m-powered-future-enabling-the-disabled-to-craft-their-futures Tue, 11 Jul 2017 10:23:24 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17326 This article is part of a series on M-Powered, an initiative undertaken by Microsoft Asia and local nonprofits in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to train youth and people with disabilities in IT, and improve their employability, connecting them to opportunities in the growing tech sector. As a young child, Danny Gnaniah already knew that he wanted to create impact and make change. While the entrepreneur suffers from a permanent spinal cord injury and uses a wheelchair to get around, Danny has never let his disability be an obstacle to his dreams. “I’ve always known that I want to make a difference,” said Danny, who is now the CEO of branding agency 4Thirteen. “Advertising touches lives and inspires change, so I decided to pursue a career in it. My disability never held me back.” But Danny knew that drive alone would not lead him to success—he needed the right tools and skillsets. After his final exam at law school, he decided to go back to school to learn about the business of design and advertising. In his own time, he also read widely about the industry, asked his siblings for advice, and picked up other relevant skills such as coding, web and app development.   [caption id="attachment_17336" align="alignnone" width="400"] Danny and his wife, Doreen Chew, co-founded 4Thirteen and now manage the agency together[/caption]   Today, Danny has gone from being a freelancer to running a branding agency with 20 employees. His office offers an accessible, wheelchair friendly environment. While Danny is currently the only person with disability working at his company, he hopes to share the space with others with disabilities. “We welcome people with disabilities,” said Danny. “We tried hiring people with disabilities during a government sponsored campaign. Unfortunately, the candidates we interviewed did not have the right mindset or skillsets, nor the drive to learn and succeed.” And this is what M-Powered Malaysia hopes to change. An initiative between Microsoft Malaysia and nonprofit Dialogue in the Dark, the accessible online platform hopes to empower people with disabilities in Malaysia through training programs, online mentorships and a job portal offering hundreds of opportunities. Users can take part in a wide range of e-learning modules to develop skills relevant to today’s digital workplace, and gain valuable advice from experienced mentors working in various industries. The job portal will be regularly updated with the latest information on career opportunities and networking sessions and fairs. Through the M-Powered initiative, Microsoft and Dialogue in the Dark hopes to build an inclusive society that offers equal opportunities for all. “The government has identified inclusiveness and wellbeing as thrusts for community development in the 11th Malaysia Plan,” said YB Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Chuan, Minister of International Trade and Industry II. “Private public sector collaboration is an important part of realizing this vision and programs like M-Powered are the perfect role models in encouraging capacity building, employability as well as entrepreneurship and inclusiveness.” Other than leveraging the M-Powered platform, Danny also encourages people with disabilities to equip themselves for the fourth industrial revolution by picking up digital skills such as coding, website and mobile app development, digital animation, and more. With these skills, Danny believes that people with disabilities will be able to become the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. “IT, creativity, business—these are skill areas that don’t require physical ability, but are in demand by employers and economy, today and in the future,” said Danny. “With M-Powered helping to develop the right skills and work-ready mindsets, I believe people with disabilities can thrive and create change for themselves and society.” Read the other stories in this series here. ]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/an-m-powered-future-helping-youth-realize-their-dreams Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:38:03 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17317 This article is part of a series on M-Powered, an initiative undertaken by Microsoft Asia and local nonprofits in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to train youth and people with disabilities in IT, and improve their employability, connecting them to opportunities in the growing tech sector.  The dynamic, fast-paced world of journalism has always fascinated Naowarat Sodsamang. The 23-year-old college graduate has since channeled her passion for the news media into exploring a future career path in marketing and public relations—following internship stints that further enriched her interest and knowledge in digital marketing. “The marketing communications industry is an exciting field that offers me plenty of opportunities to hone the professional skills I acquired at school,” said the Bangkok-based Naowarat. “My internship experience showed me that academic qualifications are only a start. There are many other skill areas I need to build up, to fulfill today’s job requirements and secure my dream job.” Naowarat learned that computer literacy is now essential for any youth in Thailand to develop a more well-rounded skill set for employment. Participating in Microsoft’s Hour of Code last year, the self-professed digital native gained a unique perspective on how technology advances are shaping the way we live and work. “The Hour of Code was a wonderful experience for me, being my first exposure to the power of coding and modern computing concepts. Not only did I learn to write my first lines of code, I was given the opportunity to share and exchange ideas with my peers about how technology can be used to support our future career aspirations,” Naowarat said. The M-Powered Thailand portal has provided young people like Naowarat a conducive platform to easily access the latest job positions available and an extensive range of e-learning resources in computer science and other soft skills for employment. A collaboration between Microsoft and various nonprofit and government agencies in Thailand, the portal is also designed for youth to seek career advice from experienced professionals in different fields of expertise. Besides the breadth of training programs, Naowarat is impressed with how the M-Powered portal enables young job seekers to connect and learn from industry or HR professionals. “By being able to network directly with them, we have a better understanding of the professional skills and work capabilities that are most valued by employers, or get advice on job interview techniques,” she explained.   [caption id="attachment_17325" align="alignnone" width="400"] Naowarat wants to encourage more of her peers to explore the technical and soft skills learning opportunities available via the M-Powered portal [/caption]   Currently, Naowarat is taking online courses via M-Powered to enrich her English communications skills for today’s business environment. Through the guided learning modules, she aims to achieve a level of fluency in English that will enable her to be more confident both during job interviews and in workplace settings. Looking ahead, the 23-year-old would like to see a wider variety of industry-related professional skills training and resources to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. Naowarat sees the potential for the digital marketing and e-commerce resources available on M-Powered to inspire more Thai youth to get a head start on the path to entrepreneurship and employability. “Whether it’s to start a business venture or to find their desired job, the M-Powered portal opens up so many exciting possibilities for young people to follow their dreams,” said Naowarat. “It also encourages us to explore the development of new skills to empower ourselves, and continue succeeding in today’s digital economy.” Read the other stories in this series here.]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/empowering-young-refugees-to-create-their-futures Tue, 20 Jun 2017 11:30:49 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17286 International Rescue Committee (IRC) works along the Thailand-Myanmar border to support displaced Burmese in rebuilding their lives. In addition to providing humanitarian aid, including food, shelter, healthcare, IRC holds training for Burmese refugees and migrants to help them find new sustainable employment, and achieve financial independence. To support IRC’s efforts, Microsoft has partnered with the nonprofit to offer basic digital literacy training and build up Information Communication Technology (ICT) capacity across three refugee camps: the Mae La, Mae Sot, and Tham-Hin camps. Other than imparting IT know-how, the YouthSpark programs also develop the creativity, analytical and problem solving skills of young refugees, enhancing their employability and chances of securing a job when they leave the camps.   [caption id="attachment_17295" align="alignnone" width="468"] Microsoft works with IRC to help ensure that young refugees have the skills to create a sustainable life for themselves in the future[/caption]   Yo Pyu Ei, who now lives at the Mae La camp, participated in an IT training event jointly organized by Microsoft and IRC. The three-day YouthSpark workshop covered the basics of coding and computer science, and taught participants how to format reports, produce communications materials, and do basic accounting using the Microsoft Office suite of tools. The 19-year-old, now working as a community-based assistant for IRC’s Women’s Protection and Empowerment program, finds these skills useful not only at her current job, but also to support her future ambitions. “I’m immensely glad that I had the chance to learn how to use the computer and pick up these skills,” said Yo Pyu Ei. “My dream is to go to university and eventually work for an organization that empowers women, children and underserved youth. Thanks to the training, I believe that I now have the right skills and tools to help me pursue my dreams.”   [caption id="attachment_17305" align="alignnone" width="428"] YouthSpark programs go beyond training youth in IT, they also hone the soft skills demanded by employers today[/caption]   In addition to the basic digital literacy training, Microsoft and IRC are working together to develop an “Invest to Excel” program, which will further supplement current programs by providing greater upskilling opportunities. The training activities will have a strong focus on IT and English, two skill areas found to be most in demand by potential employers in Thailand and Myanmar. The program also aims to provide greater access to job opportunities, created through partnerships with private sector companies in Thailand and the region. “Our current YouthSpark programs have already trained 5,000 young refugees across the three camps, and we hope to be able to empower more through programs such as ‘Invest to Excel’,” said Mr. Dhanawat Suthumpun, Microsoft Thailand. “By working closely with IRC to equip young refugees with new skills and opportunities, we believe that they will be able to achieve their dreams and create a brighter future for themselves.” June 20 is World Refugee Day. Microsoft is proud to stand #WithRefugees and empower them with the resources they need to rebuild their lives. Read stories of other young refugees and find out how you can get involved here. ]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/an-m-powered-future-shaping-the-next-generation Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:57:03 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17245 This article is part of a series on M-Powered, an initiative undertaken by Microsoft Asia and local nonprofits in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam to train youth and people with disabilities in IT, and improve their employability, connecting them to opportunities in the growing tech sector.  For high school English teacher Adrianto Supardiono, one of his biggest motivations at work is watching his students mature into young, independent adults. “Being able to share knowledge with my students and guide them in their journey towards adulthood is a blessing,” said Adrianto, who has worked at YCAB Foundation, Indonesia for close to five years. “It gives me a sense of fulfillment knowing the work I do helps shape their independence and future.”   [caption id="attachment_17265" align="alignnone" width="216"] Adrianto has been teaching English at YCAB for five years[/caption]   However, Adrianto estimates that only about half of his students are successful in their job search after graduation. He observed that the key reason why many youth encounter difficulties securing employment is their lack of work readiness. This relates to the lack of confidence, teamwork and collaboration skills, and the willingness to constantly improve, among other things. “Many of my students choose to look for work instead of pursuing further education because they feel compelled to contribute to their household,” said Adrianto. “However, many are unsuccessful because they don’t realize the importance of cultivating a work ready mindset, and honing the relevant hard skills and soft skills. My colleagues and I try our best to support them, but our resources are limited.” And this issue is not unique to Adrianto’s students alone. While youth unemployment in Indonesia has been on the decline, the number remains higher than it was before 2000. To address the issue and enhance the employability of Indonesian youth, YCAB worked with Microsoft to develop the e-portal GenerasiBisa! as part of the M-Powered initiative in Asia. The platform focuses on honing 21st century skills needed to answer the evolving demands of today’s increasingly digital workplace. E-learning courses on the platform are geared towards equipping young people with the hard skills and certifications needed for specific industries, while mentoring programs aim to nurture soft skills, such as teamwork and communication skills. Through the platform, youth can also keep themselves updated with the latest job opportunities, and learn about job fairs and other networking events. With M-Powered, YCAB and Microsoft believe that they will be able to reach out to five million youth by 2020. "The high number of young and productive people in the country shows a huge potential for Indonesia to improve the nation's competitiveness,” said Hanif Dhakiri, Manpower Minister, Indonesia. “We hope that GenerasiBisa! platform can help improve the competence of Indonesian youth to become an independent and dignified generation that is spiritually, socially, and technically competent.”   [caption id="attachment_17255" align="alignnone" width="431"] YCAB Foundation and Microsoft pledging their efforts to enhance the employability of youth in Indonesia[/caption]   For Adrianto, the online platform means that he has a readily available wealth of resources to turn to when his students come to him for career guidance. As a mentor on GenerasiBisa!, Adrianto actively encourages his students to download training courses and pursue mentorships to equip themselves with the core competencies required to meet the demands of today’s work environment. “I’m optimistic that GenerasiBisa! will go a long way in helping young people in Indonesia in their job search,” said Adrianto. “With the opportunity to acquire and develop new skills, and connect with good role models who can provide valuable guidance, I’m sure that they will be able to create a better life for themselves and their families.” Read the other stories in this series here.]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/an-m-powered-future-forging-new-paths Tue, 30 May 2017 10:21:54 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17185 This article is part of a series on M-Powered, an initiative undertaken by Microsoft Asia and local nonprofits in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to train youth and people with disabilities in IT, and improve their employability, connecting them to opportunities in the growing tech sector.  With youth unemployment on the rise in the country, many Vietnamese youth are worried about their job prospects. For 25-year-old Mai Anh Dung, who has already switched career tracks once, not being able to get a job was a real concern. “Many of my peers worry about securing a job after graduation, and the insecurity can leave them confused about what career paths they should pursue,” said Dung. “For me, web programming is a passion I’ve had since I was young. I gave up a career in medicine to do this, and I was determined to secure a job related to programming and succeed in this field.” [caption id="attachment_17225" align="alignnone" width="292"] 25-year-old Mai Anh Dung is now studying systems administration at a vocational school in Binh Duong[/caption] Dung began his job hunt halfway through his studies, a year earlier than most of his peers—to garner as much experience as he can. However, he found himself running into roadblocks, and lacking confidence in his interviewing skills and work experience. “At first, I didn’t know how to effectively position myself and my capabilities to prospective employers,” said Dung, “My CV was put together based on basic tips found on the internet, and I went for interviews without the right amount of preparation.” Following several unsuccessful job interviews, Dung realized he needed to acquire new skills to cope with the demands of today’s work environment. His first step was to sign up for a YouthSpark Career Readiness workshop conducted by VCCI and Microsoft Vietnam. In addition to picking up valuable project management skills at the workshop, Dung also learned how to create a more professional-looking CV and leave a good impression on interviewers. With a deeper appreciation of the importance of job interview processes, Dung then enlisted the help of an HR professional to hone his interviewing skills. [caption id="attachment_17205" align="alignnone" width="400"] Dung making a presentation at a career readiness workshop organized by VCCI and Microsoft[/caption] Dung’s hard work eventually paid off. Within a week of applying for the positon of SEO marketer at interior design firm SAVIHOMES, he received a job offer. But securing a job didn’t mean that Dung stopped improving himself. Recognizing the need to continually update his skills, Dung finds free time between his studies and work to attend workshops and take courses offered via M-Powered Vietnam, an e-portal set up by VCCI and Microsoft. Launched in December 2016, the e-portal was set up with the aim of enhancing the employability of Vietnamese youth by offering training and career guidance online, giving youth across the country easy access to materials and information. Users can search for a wide variety of modules to improve themselves, get in touch with mentors that will help them in their job search, and look up the latest job opportunities. Today, Dung regularly uses the platform to hone his web development and marketing skills. A digital marketing module inspired him to create a website that connects travelers from around the world. Working together with a friend, Dung successfully developed the site in under a week. The social travel site is seeing encouraging web traffic, with more than 2,000 visitors recorded in just two months since launch. “I’m very glad that information from the workshops VCCI and Microsoft organize are now available online because it means more young people in Vietnam are able to access them,” said Dung. “Thanks to the courses, I now know how to apply my skills and knowledge to a variety of situations, giving me more confidence to excel at my work. With this platform, I’m sure my friends and other youth in Vietnam will be able to get jobs and have a bright future.” Read the other stories in this series here.]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/empowering-youth-to-create-lasting-impact Thu, 18 May 2017 11:38:01 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17115 Great East Japan Earthquake struck his hometown of Ishinomaki in 2011. Having experienced the devastating aftermath of a major earthquake firsthand, Beat did not hesitate to volunteer to help with recovery efforts when the natural disaster hit Kumamoto in 2016. However, Beat soon realized that without the right skills and abilities, he could not create impactful, sustainable change. To overcome this, Beat signed up for the TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership program. The program, which includes a five-week experiential training camp held in Seattle, aims to nurture a new generation of Japanese youth social entrepreneurs and community leaders through workshops and classes, company visits, and mentorships. Watch the video below to see how the program helped Beat develop his communication and leadership skills, creativity, and confidence, to create lasting improvements for disaster recovery efforts in Japan.   [video width="640" height="360" mp4="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2017/05/uQcpHnL5qfM4hN2T.mp4 start=144" poster="https://msdnshared.blob.core.windows.net/media/2017/05/Capture1.png"][/video] Find out more about the TOMODACHI-Microsoft iLEAP Social Innovation and Leadership program here. ]]> https://docs.microsoft.com/archive/blogs/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/sharing-digital-knowledge-to-change-lives-in-myanmar Wed, 17 May 2017 10:15:14 GMT https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/microsoft_citizenship_asia_pacific/?p=17065 Tag International Development is on a mission to change that, working closely with global partners and local educational institutions to promote knowledge sharing in Myanmar’s rural communities. Operating in Myanmar since 2012, Tag has spearheaded numerous programs with Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC) to empower rural young people. These initiatives include providing skills training for students aged 18-25 who are studying at agricultural education institutions in southern Shan State—and facilitating potential employment opportunities for these disadvantaged youth. [caption id="attachment_17085" align="alignnone" width="400"] Tag International Development is involved with numerous initiatives to empower rural youth in Myanmar, including skills training for students aged 18-25[/caption] Microsoft has been supporting these initiatives through Microsoft YouthSpark Grants since 2016, and is currently partnering Tag to train rural entrepreneurs in Myanmar. "Digital literacy is essential to empowering underserved youth with more education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” said Marina Pevzner Hennessy, Head of Global Partnerships and Director at Tag USA. “Our aim is to get every rural youth in Myanmar ready for work, by helping them hone their IT skills and employability. Through this partnership, we are able to tap Microsoft’s expertise in technology education programs to nurture the next crop of rural entrepreneurs.” The partnership focuses on providing rural youth with more opportunities to pick up relevant computer skills, such as email and social media communications, that can help them manage their own business. As part of the capacity building efforts, Microsoft and Tag will jointly train and develop a cohort of Youth Ambassadors, who will be tasked with delivering basic digital literacy training in 25 rural villages. By end 2017, Microsoft and Tag aim to equip 5,000 rural students in Myanmar with the 21st century skills they need to operate in tomorrow’s digital economy and thrive in their future entrepreneurial pursuits. Dr. Daiana Beitler, Regional Director Asia, Microsoft Philanthropies, said: "We believe in the power of technology to connect young people to more opportunities and change their lives for the better. Working together with Tag, we are focusing our efforts on building local capacity to provide digital skills training to aspiring rural entrepreneurs in Myanmar, who otherwise would not have access to computer education." [caption id="attachment_17095" align="alignnone" width="400"] Dr. Daiana Beitler was the keynote speaker a recent Tag International Development event in Seattle. She highlighted Microsoft Philanthropies’ focus on supporting efforts to create local economic opportunities and equipping young people with 21st century skills. (Photo Credit: Dana Berenson)[/caption]]]>