IC Central Announces Microsoft IT Academy Affiliation
1st November 2011
Local Partner to provide support to Microsoft IT Academy Educators and Students to enhance digital literacy and IT skills.
IC Central Pty Ltd announced today their appointment as a Microsoft Academy Service Partner for Australia and New Zealand. IC Central Pty Ltd will support the Microsoft IT Academy program and assist educators and students in gaining maximum benefit from the rich array of curriculum resources, online learning and globally recognised certification programs available in to all schools, TAFEs and universities across Australia and New Zealand.
"When you consider the impact that IT has on our lives everyday we cannot afford to be left behind in this digital age" said Antony Lawes, CEO at IC Central. "I passionately believe that it is an absolute imperative that every student has a benchmarked standard of digitally literacy and that our academic institutions are delivering the competent, confident, innovative and qualified individuals needed to leverage ICT opportunities. It is not only the right thing to do, it is an economic imperative."
Microsoft's IT Academy program enables academic institutions to connect the world of education to the world of work by allowing faculty and students to obtain innovative technology skills in an academic setting. Students have access to courses for both desktop applications like Office and very high end technical courses leading to career certifications in Microsoft technologies. Microsoft IT Academies benefit from world-class Microsoft curriculum and cutting edge real-world software tools.
"Microsoft's IT Academy program provides a cost effective resource for educators and students and we are thrilled to be associated with program" said Mr. Lawes. "We are looking forward to providing our Microsoft IT Academy community with support through our partnership with IC Central, that will enable them to make the most of the assets and resources available to them in the program" said George Stavrakakis, Education Lead, Microsoft Australia. "In addition to growing the program in New Zealand, we are excited to have a partner who is aligned to our commitment of building the nation's skills capacity through education" said Evan Blackman, Education Lead, Microsoft New Zealand.
Students Offered Chance to Excel in Las Vegas
15th September, 2011
IC Central launches the Australian round of the 2012 Worldwide Championship on Microsoft Office. Competition seeks to find up to ten students to represent Australia at the international Microsoft Office Championship event in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in July 2012.
BRISBANE - IC Central [www.iccentral.com.au] today launched the Australian round of the 2012 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office [www.certiport.com.au]. Up to five Aussie students will have the opportunity to represent Australia in Las Vegas at the international finals of the competition. “This is an exciting opportunity for Australian students to demonstrate critical computer skills on a national and international stage.” said Antony Lawes, IC Central CEO. “In our region students compete for state and national titles, with qualifying winners being invited to participate in the World Championships. Last year’s competition on Microsoft Office attracted more than 228,000 unique candidates from 57 countries. This year we expect even greater participation.” he added.
The competition is open to students aged 13 to 22 enrolled in an approved academic institution. Now in its twelfth year, the competition tests students' skills on Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Students with the highest exam scores and lowest test-taking times are invited to represent their respective countries at the World Championships. The 2012 Worldwide Championship on Microsoft Office will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in July 2012 with more than US$50,000 in scholarships, cash prizes and products to be won.
“The exciting thing about this competition is that participating students enter the competition by successfully completing a certification exam, so even though they may not qualify to represent their state or country, they will achieve a globally recognised qualification that will help them stand out as they progress their studies or seek to enter the workforce” said Antony.
“I’d encourage every school and every student to get involved in the competition” said one of last year’s student winners, Jonathan Jansen. “Not only did I earn my MOS certification, which looks great on my resume, the opportunities that have come my way because of my participation in the competition have been amazing.”
Academic institutions participating in the competition report increased levels of participation, greater engagement; improved levels of self confidence and self esteem, and more active engagement with ICT.
Students have until June 15th, 2012 to complete a qualifying certification test. Regional winners will be announced within ten (10) days of the qualifying round completion. National Championships will be conducted on Queensland’s Gold Coast, with qualifying students being invited to represent Australia at the Worldwide Competition in Las Vegas. Nevada, USA
Adelaide University Student Wins Australian Championship
5th July, 2011
Ian Knight aces national championship with a perfect score and fastest time to win national prize in the Worldwide Championship in Microsoft Office.
BRISBANE - IC Central today named Adelaide University student Ian Knight a regional winner and National Champion in the 2011 Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office. Ian, a second year student in IT won the opportunity to represent Australia at the Worldwide Championship on Microsoft Office to be held in San Diego, California later this month when national champions from more than 70 countries will compete for the coveted title of Microsoft Office World Champion.
“I honestly didn’t expect to win” said Ian “the university offers students and staff the chance get Microsoft Office Specialist certified and I wanted to add another qualification to my resume. It’s a real honour to win.” Ian had perfect or near perfect scores in the applications he entered and completed the tasks in about one third of the time allowed.
Now in its 10th year, the annual Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office is open to academic institutions offering students the opportunity to study for the Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Certification demonstrates a globally benchmarked standard of digital proficiency providing prospective employers with clear evidence of digital capability.
“This year the competition has attracted more than 250,000 entries from students in over 70 countries. Qualifying standards continue to rise. We congratulate Ian, Adelaide University and the other students who participated” said Antony Lawes, CEO at IC Central.
Students from Toowoomba Christian College (QLD), Dapto High School (NSW) and Ballajura Community College (WA) received high commendations.
Whakatane Student Wins New Zealand Championship
5th July, 2011
Jonathan Jansen aces national championship with a perfect score and fastest time to represent New Zealand at Worldwide Championship in Microsoft Office.
BRISBANE - IC Central today named Trident High School student Jonathan Jansen National Champion in Microsoft Office - Word 2010. Jonathan will represent New Zealand at the Worldwide Championship on Microsoft Office to be held in San Diego, California later this month where he will compete against national champions from more than 70 countries.
“It’s a great feeling to win the competition. To achieve my Microsoft Office Specialist Certification was a thrill and now to represent New Zealand at the World Championships in San Diego is an amazing honour” said Jonathan.
ICT Teacher Lynda Frisby is delighted by the achievements of her students. “This is our first year participating in the competition. It is just amazing to think that our school has a National Champion. It is absolutely fantastic for Jonathan and a great experience for our other students as well.”
“The school is very proud of Jonathan’s achievement. It shows what can be accomplished by dedicated staff and determined effort” added Trident High Principal Peter Tootell.
The annual Microsoft Office competition is open to schools who offer their students the opportunity to study for the Microsoft Office Specialist Certifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
“The competition this year has attracted more than 250,000 entries. National winners needed to achieve a perfect or near perfect score in considerably less than the time allowed” said Antony Lawes, CEO at IC Central.
