“MICROSOFT OFFICE WORLD CHAMPION 2011” second years old with new changes

On 25^th March 2011, “Microsoft Office World Champion 2011” press conference was held at Intercontinental hotel. This is the second year the competition has been organized in Vietnam, and it has received great attention and support from numerous prestigious local and international organizations.

The press conference overview

Present at the press conference were Mr. Randy Pierson – Executive Vice President of Certiport – the founder of the Microsoft Office World Champion; Mr. Pablo Bernal – Product Manager for MTA, Microsoft Corporation; Mr. Nguyen Hong Minh – Head of Training Department, Vietnam General Department of Vocational Training; Country Representatives of Certiport from India, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the U.S., the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brunei and reporters of prestigious newspapers, televisions nationwide. This year, the “Microsoft Office World Champion 2011” has also received the sponsorship from Viettel Group, Techcom Bank, Vietnamese American Vocational Training College, ED Vietnam, and information sponsorship from PC World, Sinh Vien Vietnam newspaper, Giao duc thoi dai newspaper, Lao dong xa hoi newspaper and social network Go.vn.

In 2010, as the country representative of Certiport, IIG Vietnam successfully organized the Microsoft Office World Champion 2010. Despite its debut in Vietnam, the competition enjoyed considerable attention from students of 35 universities nationwide. Impressively, the two national champions: Le Nguyen Anh Duong (Excel 2003) – Banking University of Ho Chi Minh City and Nguyen Tran Duy Phuong (World 2003) – Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Language and Information Technology were ranked the world’s 4^th and 6^th on Excel 2003 and Word 2003, respectively.

With a view to maintaining a beneficial playground for Vietnamese youth, on 14^th Feb 2011, IIG Vietnam – the country representative of Certiport officially kicked off the “Microsoft Office World Champion 2011”. The competition aims at creating a competitive and healthy playground for students from universities, colleges, vocational colleges, gifted and international high schools nationwide to demonstrate their skills at Microsoft Office applications including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint and to be recognized for their talent by Microsoft, Certiport and other notable organizations.

Mr. Pablo Bernal – Product manager for MTA, Microsoft addressing at the press conference

A promising signal for this year’s competition is the triple number of registered schools compared with that of 2010. By today, 25^th March 2011, there have been 88 schools registered for the competition comprised of 46 universities, 10 colleges, 22 vocational colleges, 4 international schools, 5 high schools and 1 center.

Like last year’s competition, the Microsoft Office World Champion 2011 also divides into three rounds. Round 1: The National Round – in Vietnam is organized in groups in five cities: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. Round 2: The National Final Round – in Vietnam is held in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh. Round 3: The World Final Round – in San Diego, California, USA is held from 31^st July to 3^rd August 2011. The winners in each round will be granted certificates and other valuable prizes. The winners in the World Final Round will be awarded grand prizes with total value of $ 6,500 and together with other valuable prizes.

Mr. Randy Pierson – Exec. Vice President, Certiport addressing at the press conference

“To make the Microsoft Office World Champion 2011 more accessible to all students nationwide, this year competition has made several changes”, Mr. Doan Hong Nam – President of IIG Vietnam – Head of the competition organizing committee addressed at the press conference.

Mr. Doan Hong Nam – President of IIG Vietnam – Head of the competition organizing committee announced the competition changes

Firstly, this year’s contestants are more diverse. Last year, contestants were restricted to students from universities and colleges only. This year, not only students from universities and colleges but also those from gifted and international high schools, and vocational colleges can take part in the competition.

Secondly, apart from the participation mode of school teams (10 people each team), freelance students can enter themselves for the competition. For freelance students, IIG Vietnam will sponsor 50% of the test fee and if they make it through to the National Final Round (from Round 2), they will not have to pay any more fee.

Thirdly, test structure has been adjusted. Instead of 2 tests like last year, students will compete in 5 tests which include Microsoft Office Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, Word 2010, and Excel 2010.

Finally, to well prepare for the World Final Round, 10 candidates with the highest scores in The National Final Round in Vietnam will be teamed up for a special training plan and the 5 best members will be selected to attend The World Final Round in San Diego, California, USA from 31st July to 3^rd August 2011.