Gates lowers prices for underprivileged

For many UW students, the idea of life without computers seems as antiquated as the days before electricity.

Computers are an essential part of higher education today, and most students grew up having them in the classroom. However, for many underprivileged students in developing countries, access to such technology is unaffordable or a distant dream at most.

Bill Gates, however, is determined to change that.

Last week the multi-billionaire and Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft introduced the centerpiece in the company's action plan to help transform educational opportunity worldwide at the Government Leader's Forum in Beijing.

Through expansion of Unlimited Potential, part of Microsoft's five-year old Partners in Learning program [HTML_REMOVED] which aims to foster educational growth by providing affordable licenses to its most popular software programs [HTML_REMOVED] the corporation has new plans to expand outreach through its Student Innovation Suite.

The program adds an incentive offer for governments that provide computers for K-12 students: the promise of Microsoft Office for only $3. The education suite includes Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Microsoft Math 3.0, Learning Essentials 2.0 for Microsoft Office and Windows Live Mail desktop. The computers will be sold to governments for approximately 50 percent of the actual cost.

"All human beings deserve a chance to achieve their full potential," Gates said in Beijing, reported Microsoft's Web site. "Bringing the benefits of technology to the next 5 billion people will require new products that meet the needs of underserved communities [HTML_REMOVED] creative, new business approaches that make technology more relevant, accessible and affordable, and close collaboration between local governments, educational institutions and community organizations."

Gates also said the expansion of Unlimited Potential will focus on the areas of education, innovation and economic and employment opportunities.

The program aims to create a greater sense of equal opportunity for young students in developing countries, said Janelle Poole, senior public-relations spokesperson for Microsoft.

"We want to help create a level playing field for these poorer students," Poole said. "It's important that they have access to current and state-of-the-art technology in order to compete in an increasingly globalized world. We hope [the offer] will help foster local innovation and increased levels of education. We believe it will be very beneficial to students who participate."

According to Microsoft's Web site, the Partners in Learning program works with industry partners to certify teachers in Microsoft technology and help them integrate technology into their lesson plans and curricula, through programs like Intel's Teach to the Future and UNESCO's Competency Standards for Teachers. It has also invested in new education authoring tools that will enable publishers to create and assemble vibrant learning content adaptable to individual learning needs and enhance the role of digital technology in education.

Sophomore Kathryn Winglee said she believes the offer will prove very helpful to the underprivelidged students who qualify.

"I think it's a great idea," Winglee said. "As a computer science major, I can definitely vouch for the strategic importance of technology today, and I think that having access to modern computers and new software will help [the students] catch up to the Western world considerably. I know that it's really important in the working world to have a knowledge of computers, and this will probably help."

Reach reporter Katie Stapleton-Paff at news@thedaily.washington.edu.