Microsoft Vietnam helps NGOs improve IT capability

Another highlight of the event is the official launch of the TechSoup programme by TechSoup Asia, which helps organisations access software donation programmes offered by foundation partner Microsoft along with other technology companies. 

Since 2005, Microsoft has hosted NGO Connection Day throughout the world to raise awareness and help build IT capacity in the NGO sector.

At the event, the participating NGOs are provided with information about how to register for the TechSoup programme and access Microsoft’s software donations.

“The challenges faced by the NGOs in Vietnam working in all areas of public health, environment and  education are similar to other ones around the world. The TechSoup programme will provide NGOs in Vietnam with necessary resources to support effective use of technology to address social challenges,”  Mike Yeaton, Vice President, TechSoup Asia.

“This NGO Connection Day event has marked the official presence of TechSoup Asia in Vietnam, and Microsoft will further push to help NGOs and businesses alike to acquire the correct access to various technology products and resources,”said country manager of Microsoft Vietnam Vu Minh Tri.

In addition to the launch of the TechSoup programme, Microsoft and its partners focused on discussions of how technology would shape the future, the technology megatrends which will dominate the next decade and create the comprehensive changes in NGO sector, the available tools that enable NGOs to optimise the power of social media to improve their outreach to local communities, and a wide array of Microsoft offerings in helping NGOs overcome their current challenges such as Microsoft Office 365, Exchange, SharePoint, Lync and the introduction of Windows 8 –Microsoft’s latest operating system.

According to most industry experts acknowledge cloud, social, mobility and Big Data to be the key four megatrends in IT today.  Among those trends, Microsoft sees cloud computing as particularly useful in helping NGOs meet the IT challenges they face and achieve operational and service delivery efficiency, mitigating impacts from manpower and financial resource constraints.

And the convergence of device connectivity, software innovation and cloud-based services is enabling a greater number of organisations around the world to access information and communicate and collaborate in more powerful ways. It could be said that, the more the NGO sector can understand and embrace cloud computing, the better able they will be to deliver their services or achieve their mission in Vietnam. 

“We are having opportunities to access various inspiring technologies, including cloud computing which is changing the way NGOs work and the way they communicate through technology networks. For NGOs who have limited capital, limited space and limited technical staff or know how, this solution will help save energy, reduce  hardware requirements and is often technically easier to install and maintain than in-house applications,”  Nguyen Thu Hue, director of Vietnet ICT said. “The second NGO Connection Day gives organisations the opportunity to learn from industry experts, share knowledge and discuss best practice, the event wouldn’t be possible if these organisations weren’t willing to share their knowledge and experience with others in the sector.”

“The challenges faced by the NGOs in Vietnam are very similar to the challenges of NGOs around the world. Vietnamese NGOs are being asked to improve their social impact but keep operational costs down which is not easy. By donating our technology to NGOs we hope it helps them deliver more efficient services to the communities they serve. We really hope through this programme Microsoft can have a positive impact and improve the lives of people across Vietnam,” said Clair Deevy, Citizenship lead, Microsoft Asia Pacific.

Through this event, Microsoft offers variety of resources to the NGO sector in terms of software donations, skills training and technical support to enhance their ability.  The event also enables a sustainable connection among NGOs with the common goal of improving the quality of lives in Vietnam, especially for disadvantaged people.