Michael Golden, vice president of Microsoft’s Education Products Group, conducted a twinterview with the Imagine Cup blog team earlier today. Golden arrived in Cairo last Thursday and leaves tomorrow for the July 8-9 Education Leaders Forum in Paris. Read about his time here and his thoughts on the importance of focusing on young people and education in this reposting of the interview.
1. @Imagine_Cup: What is your role at Microsoft in 140 characters or less?
· @Microsoft_EDU: I lead MS global efforts 2 improve edu. We build products & programs so tech is a tool 2 help students & educators
2. @Imagine_Cup: Why is it important for you to be at Imagine Cup?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Students R our future in society & bizness. IC celebr8s them as content creators & problem solvers. Wouldn’t miss it.
3. @Imagine_Cup: What do you love most about your job?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Everything! I get 2 go 2 work each day 2 help 1.4B students in the world. Influencing how they learn.
· @Microsoft_EDU: We also help teachers & school & government leaders succeed with tools and supports. It is Gr8 going to work.
4. @Imagine_Cup: If you were a IC competitor, what Millennium Devp. Goal would focus on?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Primary education 4 all. Without it, quite simply, countries & their economies will lose. With it, all is possible.
5. @Imagine_Cup: Why is that Millennium Development Goal important to you personally?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Without basic literacy & numeracy, there will be no people able 2 create solutions 2 the other millennium goals.
6. @Imagine_Cup: What one piece of advice can you give to the Imagine Cup finalists here in Cairo?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Relish every min, from the competition 2 the chance 2 make new friends from around the world. Do your best & have fun.
7. @Imagine_Cup Have you ever been to Cairo before?
· @Microsoft_EDU: First time, and the city is beautiful. The view from the Citadel is gr8 & the pyramids R OOTW.
8. @Imagine_Cup: Mentors are a huge part of this competition – who is your mentor?
· @Microsoft_EDU: I have been lucky 2 have a couple. Opening myself up 2 the value of their experience made a huge diff. 4 me.
9. @Imagine_Cup: What was the one key thing you learned from your mentor that you would like to pass on to current Imagine Cup competitors?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Your life is what U make it. Make your own luck. Be proactive in planning ahead & most important, treat others well. It is the Golden rule, after all :^)
10. @Imagine_Cup: Tell me something new you have learned during your time at #ImagineCup?
· @Microsoft_EDU: I M continually amazed by the power of students, their ideas, passion & creativity. The ones here R awesome.
11. @Imagine_Cup: If MS's goal is to enable access to quality edu thru ICT – what's your advice for places with limited ICT?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Garner political will & partners 2 build broadband access, leverage $ & ensure educator & student prep for 21st C.
12. @Imagine_Cup: What technology do you think will change education the most in the next 5 years?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Solutions that personalize education 4 all. Learning anywhere & anytime in new ways that R relevant & engaging.
13. @Imagine_Cup: Teachers play a huge role in your job – what teacher inspired you the most? Why?
· @Microsoft_EDU: Mrs. Feinstein in 3rd grade was my 1st hard teacher. Taught me 2 have high expectations & aspirational goals.
14. @Imagine_Cup: What about for students who are thinking about entering next year?
· @Microsoft_EDU: B bold. B cre8ive. B passionate. B inspiring & work hard 2 address these big UN goals. Easy routes won’t win.
15. @Imagine_Cup: Who are your rooting for?
· @Microsoft_EDU: All of the IC students R my favorites! They rock!
-Lukas Velush
