Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajić announced today at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the software company Microsoft Serbia and Montenegro that on Wednesday, 20 April, the “IT Caravan” will begin, aimed at promoting new technologies and the internet in education, business and communication.

“Our goal is to show the risks of improper use of new technologies”, said Ljajić.

This is particularly in regards to children, noted the Minister, and stated that we are witness to increasing use of new technologies among children, while parents frequently remain uninformed, and teachers insufficiently digitally literate, leading to improper use and abuse.

Ljajić explained that the “IT Caravan” will last until 3 June, planning to achieve direct contact with approximately 5,000 children aged ten to 19 years, as well as indirect contact with a significant number of citizens, in primary schools across 15 towns in Serbia.

“The campaign will be continued next year, our goal is to visit as many towns as possible, and make contact with as many schools as possible”, said Ljajić.

Noting the fact that Microsoft is the main partner in the project, Ljajić recalled that the American software giant opened its first office in Serbia in 2002, and its development centre in 2005, the company’s fourth centre in the world.

“The first significant project with the company is the networking of all primary and secondary schools in Serbia and the introduction of wireless internet in those schools”, said Ljajić.

The General Director of Microsoft Serbia and Montenegro Željko Vujinović, on signing the Memorandum with Deputy Prime Minister Ljajić, said this is the right way of promoting modern technologies and the use of internet in education.
“This will help improve the quality of life in Serbia, increase the number of experts, but also, on the other hand, have other companies follow Microsoft’s example and open development centres in Serbia”, said Vujinović.

He explained that Microsoft believes new technologies should be accessible to all, and this company is endeavouring to provide for this with an array of free tools, such as the Office 365 education package, services fully adapted to the needs of students and teachers, the BubbleBee service for learning and practicing programming, support for professors in teaching, or initiatives and programmes such as Microsoft Innovative Educator, Showcase School and Student Ambassador.

The signing of the memorandum at the Palace of Serbia was also attended by representatives of the Embassy of the United States to Serbia.