Uganda Launches First Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC)

Microsoft yesterday launched the Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) in Uganda. The Centre, which will be hosted by Makerere University’s College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS) was officially launched by the country’s Minister for ICT, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda.  It will be open to students, professional software developers, IT professionals, entrepreneurs and academic researchers. Students will be trained in a cross-section of software for mobile phones, server sites, desktop and cloud computing with a laser focus on “transforming education, fostering innovation and enabling jobs and opportunity.”
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (Left) launches Microsoft Innovation Centre as Microsoft's Alethea Clarke (Right) looks on. Photo: UGO Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda (Left) launches Microsoft Innovation Centre as Microsoft's Alethea Clarke (Right) looks on. Photo: UGO

“The Microsoft Innovation Centre will provide support to small and medium enterprises and independent software vendors, as well as driving student collaboration, provide support for new start-up companies, and act as the test laboratory centre for the development of software projects,” said Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, speaking at the launch ceremony at CoCIS.

“Government and stakeholders in ICT have identified the need to develop a critical mass of skilled personnel in ICT and am happy that this Centre will contribute towards this opportunity especially by providing skills that are needed for high end IT enabled services,” he explained.

Also present at the launch was the Vice Chancellor (Makerere University), Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, Ms. Alethea Lodge-Clarke, Microsoft’s Private/Public Partnership Manager and Mr. Thoephane Nikyema, the Resident Coordinator for United Nations, Uganda. 

Photo Credit: UGO