The Israeli army has become the first military institution anywhere in the world to be granted a license to teach Microsoft programs, an Israeli spokesman said here Monday.
The computer giant is to present the license to the army's elite information technology unit at an official ceremony at its central IT school Tuesday, the spokesman said.
The school, founded 30 years ago, is a training ground for hi-tech whiz-kids, many of whom have gone on to make Israel the Silicon Valley of the Middle East, with nearly 100 businesses quoted on the New York-based Nasdaq index, which lists top-flight hi-tech companies.
Entry to the school is tough, with only one would-be student in ten accepted. The lucky few have to carry out not only the normal three years of obligatory military service (19 months for women) but commit themselves to remaining in the army for another three years.
In exchange, they receive intensive six months training, said to be the equivalent of 18 months at a good university. ― (AFP, Jerusalem)
© Agence France Presse 2000
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
