By Emeka Aginam
The global software giant , Microsoft will by  end of this month in  Cape Town, South Africa bring together more than  500 teachers, school leaders, education stakeholders and media from more than 75 countries for  the Worldwide Innovative Education Forum conference and awards, which will take place for the first time on African soil.

Worldwide Innovative Education forum is the centerpiece of Microsoft’s global US$500 million Partners in Learning programme, which helps teachers and school leaders to use technology as a tool for innovative teaching and learning.

Teachers from as far afield as Brazil, Singapore, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe and the US will compete for one of 13 Global Innovative Education Awards to celebrate their best practices in the classroom. School leaders representing some of the most innovative primary and secondary schools in the world will also attend.

The event includes exhibitions by all the schools and teachers present, as well as a technology showcase and many opportunities to interview local and international representatives and participants.

Learning from the best the world has to offer, more than 20 high-profile speakers will be sharing their views and experiences, including:  Anthony Salcito, Microsoft’s vice president of education for the Worldwide Public Sector organisation. He is responsible for working with education institutions and global partners to embrace technology that optimises learning environments and student achievement.

Larry Rosenstock, the founding principal and CEO of the High Tech High schools, and president of the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. After law school, he taught carpentry for eleven years in urban high schools. He then served as staff attorney at the Harvard Center for Law and Education, focusing on federal STEM education policy, and was later a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His CityWorks program won the Ford Foundation Innovations in State and Local Award.
Michael Furdyk, the co-founder and director of technology for TakingITGlobal. org, a global online community for young people, providing a platform for millions of youth across more than 200 countries to engage with social issues. Michael has spoken to over 50 000 educators about the importance of engaging students and integrating technology and global perspectives into the classroom.
Anthony Salcito, Microsoft’s vice president of education for the Worldwide Public Sector organisation. He is responsible for working with education institutions and global partners to embrace technology that optimises learning environments and student achievement.

Larry Rosenstock, the founding principal and CEO of the High Tech High schools, and president of the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. After law school, he taught carpentry for eleven years in urban high schools.

He then served as staff attorney at the Harvard Center for Law and Education, focusing on federal STEM education policy, and was later a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His CityWorks program won the Ford Foundation Innovations in State and Local Award.

Michael Furdyk, the co-founder and director of technology for TakingITGlobal. org, a global online community for young people, providing a platform for millions of youth across more than 200 countries to engage with social issues. Michael has spoken to over 50 000 educators about the importance of engaging students and integrating technology and global perspectives into the classroom.

Microsoft will also be hosting visits to schools around Cape Town to showcase local technology solutions and the challenges facing schools in the region.  Please let us know as soon as possible if you are able to join us, so I can finalise your travel arrangements.