COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AI Reporter/News): In a bid to strengthen commitment and partnership towards the South Asia region, Puneet Chandok, the President of Microsoft India and South Asia, made his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka in March 2024, since taking office in September 2023.
Building on the two-decade journey of empowering the people of Sri Lanka through Cloud and AI technologies, Puneet engaged in discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during his two-day visit.
The discussions explored the transformative potential of AI in uplifting societies and communities, while discussing how innovative technological solutions can propel Sri Lanka towards becoming a digital nation.
Fostering global competitiveness and investing into the digital future of the country, Microsoft and the Ministry of Education (MOE), Sri Lanka, joined forces with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate AI to the national school curriculum starting grade 8, thereby equipping students with essential skills for the future. This marks a significant milestone for the education landscape of Sri Lanka.
Puneet Chandok, President of India and South Asia for Microsoft, made his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka and met with Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister to discuss the company’s commitment to partner Sri Lanka on its digital transformation journey.
To make AI accessible to all, a detailed curriculum has been created. It’s a joint effort by global Microsoft’s Education teams and the National Institute of Education (NIE). Initially, it will launch in twenty The Ministry of Education (MOE) -selected schools across provinces of in Sri Lanka. At least one school from each of the nine provinces is included.
These schools will set standards for expanding the program nationwide. The pilot follows a ‘train the trainer’ strategy. This approach aims to empower both students and teachers. They will gain skills to confidently navigate the AI era. The initiative will empower learners and educators alike, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate the era of AI.
Microsoft is driving digital transformation in the era of intelligent cloud and edge, aiming to empower everyone and every organization worldwide to achieve more.
A Landmark MoU Signing
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony, held at the Presidential Secretariat on March 19, 2024, marked a significant moment for Sri Lanka’s educational sector.
This event was graced by esteemed figures from the United States Embassy, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Technology, and Microsoft. Attendees included Julie J. Chung, the United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka; Dr. Susil Premajayantha, the Minister of Education; Kanaka Herath, the State Minister of Technology; and Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia.
This collaboration signifies a pivotal step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Sri Lanka’s national school curriculum, promising a transformative impact on the country’s educational landscape.
A group of people standing in front of a wooden building
Embracing AI Integration
Expressing the MOE’s enthusiasm for embracing future possibilities, Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education said, “We truly believe that the integration of AI is pivotal to elevating the quality of education and empowering our future leaders with the necessary skills to excel in an ever-changing global environment. Our collaboration with Microsoft represents a significant milestone in this endeavor as we, together, introduce a digital-first national curriculum that embraces the skills of the future, which includes AI.”
During my meeting with the Honourable President Wickremesinghe and Honourable Prime Minister Gunawardena, we discussed how Microsoft can build on its partnership with the government of Sri Lanka towards solving challenges faced by the communities
Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia
Microsoft’s Sri Lanka Tech Commitment
Commenting on his debut visit representing Microsoft in Sri Lanka, Puneet Chandok, President, Microsoft India and South Asia, remarked “I am honoured to continue building on Microsoft’s two-decade-long legacy in Sri Lanka with a renewed thrust towards AI innovation that puts people first. During my meeting with the Honourable President Wickremesinghe and Honourable Prime Minister Gunawardena, we discussed how Microsoft can build on its partnership with the government of Sri Lanka towards solving challenges faced by the communities.”
“The MoU with the Ministry of Education is exemplary of that work, and we are proud to play a role in advancing Sri Lanka’s innovation agenda with a boost towards the ICT sector. It was truly inspiring to witness the steps Sri Lanka is taking to ensure inclusivity in innovation. As AI continues to be the defining technology of our time, Microsoft is committed to being Sri Lanka’s copilot for economic and societal transformation.”, he added.
Integrating AI into Sri Lanka’s Education System
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Education and Microsoft have partnered through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revolutionize education by incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into the National School Curriculum.
This partnership is set to overhaul the educational framework, starting with pilot tests for students in grade eight and higher. Additionally, the agreement facilitates the use of the Microsoft 365 platform, providing a secure environment for communication and collaboration among students and teachers.
Transformative Educational Collaboration
This partnership signifies a crucial turning point not only for students but also for educators, academic institutions, and the overall educational framework of Sri Lanka. Harsha Randeny, country manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives of Microsoft, highlighted the instrumental roles students and teachers play in societal advancement.
Students serve as catalysts for future transformation, and teachers are key in nurturing their progress and development as young individuals of our society.
Harsha Randeny, country manager for Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives.
He emphasized Microsoft’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka as it embarks on its AI journey, underscoring the importance of integrating AI into the education system. This initiative is seen as a proactive step towards preparing the future generation to actively engage with and contribute to the country’s progress in AI, ensuring they are equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving global landscape.
As Sri Lanka embarks on its AI journey, Microsoft is dedicated to serve as a Copilot as the nation progresses and ensures its readiness for the future. The integration of AI into the educational framework represents a proactive approach, empowering the next generation to actively contribute to the country’s AI evolution and be on par with the changing world.
Harsha Randeny, country manager for Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives
Collaborative AI Conversations
Lastly, concluding in a truly collaborative manner, the visit also witnessed Puneet engaging with key business leaders and CXOs in a special session called “Microsoft CEO Connect”, wherein the group catalysed dynamic conversations on the disruptive potential of AI across industries, and discussed Microsoft’s role in equipping Sri Lankan organizations with cutting-edge technologies to advance innovation, the company said.
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