Oracle, Government alliance for first-class information society and economy

Oracle ECE Ltd has announced a Vertical Strategic Alliance with the Government of Malta to support its mission to attain a first-class information society and economy in Malta, as outlined in its National ICT Strategy.

The arrangement, with the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology of Malta, outlines Oracle's investment in both education and business in Malta, involving partnerships with its universities and schools, extensive sponsorship and training programmes for students, and support for entrepreneurship and start ups in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).

The four-year alliance was announced by Minister Austin Gatt, Government of Malta and Alfonso Di Ianni, Senior Vice President, European Enlargement and CIS Region, Oracle, at a ceremony attended by Government officials and Maltese Oracle partners at the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology, in Valetta, on Monday.

"Following its recent accession to the European Union, this agreement will bring significant benefits, helping the Government of Malta deliver on its National ICT goals, during this period of exciting opportunity," said Mr Di Ianni. "We are firmly committed to ensuring that the young people of Malta, and its business community, have the right skills and technology support to make Malta the lighthouse of the Mediterranean and strengthen its place on the European and global stage."

Investment, Industry and Information Technology Minister Austin Gatt said: "With this announcement, Malta has gained an important partner in its effort to transform Malta into an ICT centre of excellence. It sets the framework for the launch of a number of projects which seek to increase the level and employability of ICT graduates coming out of the University and MCAST.

"Furthermore, we believe that Oracle's legacy in helping European Union member states and accession states qualify for EU funding will help us reach our National ICT Strategy target of engaging in EU-funded projects."

The Vertical Strategic Alliance incorporates these elements.

Education

Oracle Academic Initiative - the Oracle Academic Initiative partners with educators to deliver state-of-the-art Oracle software and curriculum resources to the college and university classroom. Its mission is to enable every student of higher education across the globe to acquire industry-relevant skills and an introduction to the Oracle certification pathway as part of a broader programme of study.

Oracle will sponsor the Oracle Academic Initiative for the University of Malta and the Oracle Academy for MCAST and Junior College. The scheme involves a 'Train the Trainer' initiative which includes extensive tutorship for trainers at the University of California in Los Angeles.

University Stud-ents Summer Work Placements - Oracle will sponsor the summer work of three University ICT students each year.

Oracle Database 10g is going to be offered to Maltese students free of charge following under- and post- graduate ICT courses at the University of Malta and students of the Higher National Diploma at MCAST.

Support entrepreneurship and start-ups in ICTs

Oracle® PartnerNetwork - Fees will be waived for local Maltese ICT start-up companies to join Oracle PartnerNetwork, which provides members with access to resources such as marketing.

Contribution to the national ICT Awareness Campaign - As the largest software provider to the public sector in Central and Eastern Europe, Oracle is well placed to provide advice and support to the Government of Malta's National ICT Strategy.

Oracle has been present in Malta through channel alliance partners for the past 15 years. Since September, Oracle engaged a Maltese, Kevin Attard, as Business Development Manager to further strengthen its presence in the country.

This alliance underlines Oracle's commitment to ensure all new European Union member states have the right systems in place to meet the European Union's regulatory requirements, including meeting the e-Europe+ Action Plan benchmarks.