Wannabe techies get a feel of Microsoft expertise

Updated on: Monday, February 22, 2010

As sunbeams filtered through the huge glass edifice of Microsoft India Development Centre, about 40 youngsters strained their ears hard. Advice, coming from specialists was valuable and not a word was to be missed. A pearl could be hidden anywhere.

As part of Microsoft Student Partners (MSP) Open Day initiative the students, from colleges all over the State, engrossed themselves in some “innovative learning”, making the most of Microsoft's tools and technologies and of course, the experts too. Specialists working on various products at Microsoft's state-of-the-art development facility in Gachibowli were at hand to share inputs at a series of tech learning sessions organised during a day-long visit recently.

“As part of their normal curriculum they might not be learning things the industry requires. Here they learn the current and emerging technologies, so by the time they graduate, they are aware of the what are the kind of technologies that are going to be required by the industry,” said Mark D' Souza, senior evangelist with Microsoft.

One-year programme

As part of the initiative, during the one-year programme, MSPs as they are known in the company lingo, have access to the latest Microsoft developer and designer tools like Silverlight, Visual Studio 2010, which is an unreleased product still in the beta stage and Dreamspark, a bundle of Microsoft software at no charge, to be used solely for academic purposes.

They are also given subscription to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) worth $10,000, says Mr. D'Souza.

Currently, around 700 MSPs pursuing engineering degrees as diverse as computer science, electronics, telecommunications and even biotechnology in 153 cities across the country are part of the programme, says Microsoft.

To become an MSP, one has to demonstrate leadership qualities at tech club in their respective colleges. “We want student partners who are drivers in tech clubs,” says Mr. D'Souza. This year MSPs were selected in two phases. While members of the first batch were asked to post a video of themselves expressing their views on Microsoft's technology, those in the second group were shortlisted on basis if an online quiz. “We tried different approaches. In the first process, we tested a candidate's presentation and communication skills while the latter revealed their knowledge in the subject.”

Once selected MSPs work in partnership with Microsoft to reach out to peers in their respective colleges and also help Microsoft run events on campus or contribute to the blogosphere or twitter chatter about the coolest technologies around.

They would be given the opportunity to work closely with Microsoft partner ecosystem where they would have access to privileged information about recruitment opportunities and internship programmes.

Microsoft also provides a platform for its MSPs to start their own ventures by not just providing commercial software at “fair prices” but also helping them with the logistics and support. “We have some students who set up their own companies while they are still in college,” Mr. D'Souza informed, as a group of bright minds looked on. The excitement to be part of Microsoft was visible on their faces. It presented them with immense opportunities. “If I have to describe the programme in three words,” said Rishit, a MSP from MLR Institute of Technology, “it is innovation, collaboration and celebration. It is a place where lot of innovation takes place, we meet like-minded people who love technology and celebrate innovation.”

Wannabe techies get a feel of Microsoft expertise

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