The 16th President’s Challenge was launched at Microsoft We Tech Care 2016 by President Tony Tan Keng Yam. In line with Microsoft’s mantra to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more, We Tech Care 2016 includes regular fund-raising to rally the local startup community, non-profit organisations and partner organisations where Microsoft showcased the power of technology in creating a smarter and more inclusive Singapore.
The President’s Challenge goes beyond financial support to address today’s social needs, promoting community interaction and integration, providing beneficiaries support, skills and confidence to lead dignified and meaningful lives.
For every S$10 donated to President’s Challenge, S$2 will be channelled to the President’s Challenge Silver Volunteer Fund and Singapore government will match dollar-for-dollar donations, capped at S$20 million.
Held at JTC LaunchPad @ one-north, Microsoft We Tech Care 2016 half-day event created opportunities for all ages to learn coding and computing through IT workshops and talks; connected current generation of innovators with the next through startup discovery tours; raised awareness of innovative technologies to solve societal issues; supported digital inclusion programmes through partnerships with non-profit organisations; and fostered Microsoft employees’ skill-based volunteering efforts.
Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore shared that 'by contributing what Microsoft knows and does best, we are heartened to see that close to 2,200 people with disabilities and 22,461 seniors have been equipped with practical IT skills. In the last two years, 55 people with disabilities have also been trained with vocational IT skills and 19 of them have gone on to find job opportunities in IT-related fields.'
We Tech Care 2016 raised a total of S$268,963 from Microsoft and its employees, partners and members of the public. President Tan accepted the donation cheque from Microsoft on behalf of President’s Challenge. Funds raised through President’s Challenge 2016 is for 57 beneficiaries across various sectors and charities supported by Microsoft.
We Tech Care 2016 was supported by Gold Sponsors - Accenture Technology Solutions Pte Ltd and Avanade Asia Pte Ltd; and Bronze Sponsors - Challenger Technologies Ltd, Datapulse Technology Limited, and Dimension Data (Singapore) Pte Ltd. In-kind corporate contribution was also provided by Embrya and JTC Corporation. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/singapore/WeTechCare and www.pc.org.sg.
