UN, Microsoft set up Tunisian IT training centre

The United Nations has partnered with Microsoft to launch a North African IT training centre for young people.

Microsoft said around 50,000 students are expected to benefit from the scheme, which was announced at the World Summit of the Information Society today.

The Tunisian InfoYouth Centre will act as a hub for 10 other youth centres in Egypt and Morocco.

The first task set for students is to build a website, Microsoft said.

Koichiro Matsuura, director general of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), said in a statement: "We are providing the tools, technologies and skills that will allow young people throughout the region to play an active part and make their voice heard in the cultural and economic life of today's interconnected world."

Unesco and Microsoft initially started working together in 2004. The UN group is providing the hardware for the scheme while Microsoft is to supply the training and technical support for the centre.