AS part of Microsoft's long-term commitment towards Bangladesh, Microsoft Bangladesh has been actively working to prepare the kickoff of the Local Language Program (LLP) to offer computing interface in Bangla language.
LLP is designed specifically to collaborate with governments around the world and to provide them with the tools and technologies needed to realize the societal and economic benefits of the growing IT industry by enabling computer usage in the local language.
The Local Language Program provides great opportunities to people of all cultures, regions, locales and languages by facilitating access and promoting communication and interaction. Through this program, local and regional government participants can localise Windows Vista and Office 2007 to one language interface through a Language Interface Pack (LIP). Hence, creating great opportunities to make computers more relevant to common people and creating opportunities for education, public and private services and addressing the digital divide.
Partnered by Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) and BRAC University (BU), Microsoft Bangladesh announced the kickoff the Bangla Language Interface
Pack on November 8 at a local hotel.
As part of this localisation effort, BCC to provide the guidelines and glossary of IT terms to be made available to the public upon completion of the LIP. BCC will ensure the appropriate standardisation of terminology so that local developers can benefit from this initiative. In addition, Microsoft will partner up with BRAC University to localise Windows Vista and Office 2007. The localisation will be focus on the User Interface of Windows Vista and Office 2007 Standard applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
Microsoft believes that the kickoff will ensure equal footing of all languages and aims at bridging the language and digital divides. LIP will provide a strategic growth opportunity for local developers to augment their development skills, enhance the IT Ecosystem and propel the nation towards prosperity. Hence, through Microsoft's Localisation initiative, computers will evolve as a truly 'language independent' tool enabling every citizen the opportunity to realize their full potential.
Commenting during the launch, Feroz Mahmud, country manager, Microsoft Bangladesh said, "Our partnership with our local partners is a testimony of Microsoft's commitment to Bangladesh." Chris Atkinson, president, South-
East Asia, Microsoft Asia Pacific added, "Microsoft has been a forerunner in the localisation revolution, extending the reach of IT across a diverse set of multi-lingual communities in languages they are comfortable with. Worldwide our flagship products will offer language localisation for 100 languages. We have focused R&D teams working round the clock to create new benchmarks on the product localisation front".
"Microsoft's endeavours to enable it's world's favourite OS and Office Suite with Bangla language consistent with Bangladeshi culture will be a big boost in our effort to adapt the ICT as a tools for development and increased efficiency," said the executive director of Bangladesh Computer Council.
"We are delighted that Microsoft has decided to create Bangla Language Interface Packs (LIP) for Windows Vista and Office. This is the first step to enable access to the information age by the masses in Bangladesh," said Dr. Mumit Khan, associate professor and head of Centre for Research on Bangla Language Processing of BRAC University.
Professor Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, vice chancellor of BRAC university along with the senior officials of Bangladesh Computer Council were also present during the event.