In the new global economy fueled by information and powered by increasingly distributed workforces, education remains a prerequisite of personal and professional success. More than ever before, education influences individual employment advantage and earning power while playing a major role in economic development and societal stability. Moreover continuously evolving and upgraded technology can provide enterprising educators and communities with opportunities for improvement as never before in history. Microsoft-Intel-Pacsoft’s Unique Partners in Learning Initiative does just that. 

The effective integration of technology with education is an exciting opportunity that requires thoughtful blending of infrastructure, access, knowledge, and empowerment of students, educators, schools, and communities. It requires a complex balance between the best of traditional education and new insights about how people learn. Intelligent use of technology can promote and enrich collaboration and communication and enable new levels of learning in the classroom and for life.

At the heart of this new way of learning is the Connected Learning Program, designed to bring students, teachers and parents together in a seamless interface.

In pursuit of this vision, front-rank technology companies Microsoft, Intel and Pacsoft, supported by Citibank, have combined forces to further the Microsoft-Intel-Pacsoft’s Unique Partners in Learning Initiative to empower educational institutions and learning communities to acquire appropriate technology at affordable cost under the Connected Learning Program. 

The Connected Learning Program Vision

The consortium of companies (Microsoft-Intel-Pacsoft’s Unique Partners in Learning Initiative) has developed a common agenda for revolutionising education under the banner of Lyceum.

• Empower institutions by making technology available atffordable cost
• Connect schools, campuses, examination bodies in a dynamic, collaborative environment
• Award Centre of Excellence status to institutions which deploy and utilise contemporary technology effectively and efficiently
• Impart training to principals and teachers in future technologies
• Develop the all-round performance and creative talents of students
• Sponsor extra-curricular programs
• Train parents, to make them aware of technology used in school/colleges and increase usage of technology in home environments
• Deliver learning systems to homes, to facilitate continuum learning or learning for life

Unique empowered partnership

The partnership formed to help Lyceum-enabled institutions harness its full potential brings to the table diverse domain expertise and skill sets. The Lyceum partners are:

• Pacsoft
• Microsoft
• Intel

Pacsoft

Pacsoft is the acronym for Panorama Across Creative Solutions On Futuristic Technology

The Bangalore (India)-based Pacsoft Solutions Ltd is a Microsoft-certified partner and a managed ISV in the enterprise space. It is also one of the largest AERs in India, and has worked actively with Microsoft to develop Lyceum. Also an Intel-partner in the education space, Pacsoft undertakes joint research with Intel on developing applications of hand held devices and has worked with the ISS team for sizing the Lyceum data centre.

Pacsoft had led the development of Lyceum and undertakes the planning and implementation of Lyceum’s go-to-market strategies.

Promoted with the objective of providing turnkey solutions to education organisations, institutions and individuals, Pacsoft believes in providing total solutions to clients at the lowest possible cost by working closely with clients. Pacsoft believes in a client-first philosophy and is committed to delivering compelling futuristic solutions customized to every client’s requirements.

 Within the education segment Pacsoft has partnered education institutions in developing connected learning solutions, setting up labs, intranet (connecting examination boards with education institutions) for e-governance, e-classrooms, establishing internet connectivity and has conceived innovative concepts for educational institutions such as Acadamus (cyber-classroom), Soft Mnemosyne (Memory bank) and multimedia based kiosks.

“The 21st century requires redefinition of education methodologies. Brick and mortar infrastructures of the past will give way to the technology-enriched infrastructures of the future. Learning will be from any place and on any device,” Ali Sait Director, Pacsoft.

Microsoft Inc

A household word and world’s premier software development company, the Seattle (USA)-based Microsoft Inc brings its immense software expertise and in-depth knowledge of technologies required by education institutions to fulfillment of the partnership.

Microsoft’s chairman Bill Gates believes that technology has the potential to remove barriers for students and educators everywhere. Powerful software and the internet are changing our access to knowledge. Innovative ways to teach and learn are redefining the classroom experience.

Empowering Schools. Partners in Learning Initiative (PLI). Pacsoft “Microsoft & Intel’s goal is to empower schools to increase student learning through teacher development and leadership. Through PLI, Microsoft is partnering with experts in education and curriculum development to deliver high-quality learning and development experiences to educators, resources to support success in the classroom and opportunities to network with colleagues.