Microsoft Thailand Helps NGOs Transform Communities

A Microsoft instructor delivers free training on Windows Live™ Hotmail with cloud services to NGO participants in Chiang Mai.

In order to help communities, Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) are faced with insurmountable challenges to advance social and economic development, allowing people to obtain better education and new skills to earn a wage or start a business. NGOs are often left to fend for themselves in terms of acquiring their own IT skills and knowledge.

Microsoft believes that access to information and communications technology (ICT) alone is not enough – training and transfer of knowledge is vital as well. Microsoft recognizes the importance of this and has helped numerous communities across the globe through its NGO Connection Day events.

Microsoft Thailand’s recent NGO Connection Day events were held in Bangkok and Chiang Mai in June and September, 2011, respectively. The aim of its Connection Day events is twofold – firstly, to provide a platform for Microsoft to donate software to NGOs and secondly, to help usage adoption through IT training and education to meet its “We Make 70 Million Lives Better” vision.

Microsoft’s aim for the events was simple – to improve work flow processes for NGOs in the areas of donation management, internal and external communications (with stakeholders) and to streamline everyday tasks.

Technologies demonstrated included Windows Live™ Hotmail and SkyDrive®, Microsoft® Live@edu, Microsoft® Office 2010 and the Windows® 7 operating system.

Mr Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Managing Director, Microsoft Thailand, explained, “Cloud computing technologies would give NGOs a channel to access information anywhere, anytime.”

One of the beneficiaries during the events was the Good News Shelter Foundation in Chiang Mai. Mr Charan Songkrasin, an official of the foundation, praised the effectiveness of Microsoft’s training by commenting that “Microsoft technologies have allowed us to work faster and more efficiently.”

In total, 93 participants from 41 organizations in Chiang Mai and 154 participants from73 organizations in Bangkok benefitted from the events.

“Technology opens doors to incredible opportunities for nonprofit organizations to extend their services to new communities and touch the lives of individuals in need,” commented Mr Ayudhaya. He added, “Microsoft’s software donations have helped organizations increase their productivity, allowing them to serve more people and offer services to benefit local communities.” 

“Technology opens doors to incredible opportunities for nonprofit organizations to extend their services to new communities and touch the lives of individuals in need.”
- Mr Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Managing Director, Microsoft Thailand