OREANDA-NEWS. June 30, 2010. Signing of the agreements within the Microsoft Day of Innovations has been held in Baku today within the framework of National Computer Project in Azerbaijan.

Education minister Misir Mardanov says that the project is expected to involve thousands of teachers.

“The project has a great success. And today there received applications of thousands of teachers for acquisition of computers,” Mardanov said.

Communications minister Ali Abbasov says, in his turn, that today Azerbaija is leading among the countries of Eastern Europe on introduction of information technologies.

“It is very important to provide the population with computers as if there is not mass access to Internet in the country, then we will hardly receive a result from electronic services,” Abbasov said.

The main subject of the forum was government’s efforts and private initiatives on removal of digital inequality in Azerbaijan and provision of access for different groups of the population to information.

Under the conditions of the signed agreement, within National Computer Project, besides teachers, secondary schools’ pupils and university students   will also get an opportunity to acquire computers and licensed software.

Entire equipment will be given in interest-free credit for 12-month term. Overall cost of computers and package of licensed software provided within the project are less than the market price by 25-40%. Those who will buy computers within the project will be provided with materials about computers, Internet, and relevant training materials by the Ministry of Education.

Azerpocht will undertake delivery of computers and acceptance of monthly payments, while local partners of HP и Microsoft BestComp Group and Ultra) will supply computers and software.

The new phase will be realized with participation of Microsoft Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies, the Ministry of Education, HP, and Ultra и Bestcomp. They will also be organizers of the event.