Microsoft ties up with Anna University

Microsoft Corporation India and Anna University signed a memorandum of understanding to provide easier access to Microsoft technology and solutions to the faculty and students across 235 colleges affiliated to the University.

The agreement would allow students and faculty to use Microsoft developer tools within the institution for academic and research purposes.

Besides, the students and faculty would also be able to use the tools on their personal computers at their hostel or homes.

As per the MoU, Microsoft would also assist Anna University in setting up Microsoft technology labs at selected institutions and conduct faculty development programs on its technologies and related curriculum.

D Viswanathan, vice-chancellor, Anna University, said: "This is a continuation of our relationship with Microsoft, which has already set up a .NET centre of excellence, four years ago within the Guindy Campus."

"Student and the academic community have benefited from the centre immensely. We believe this is a great move ahead in our efforts to safeguard the academic interests of our student community," he added

Commenting on the announcement, Ravi Venkatesan, chairman, Microsoft India said: "As India creates its position in the knowledge driven economy, it is imperative to focus on creating and sustaining a highly skilled IT talent pool. However today, there is a huge supply-demand mismatch when we look at the availability of skilled IT talent in the country."

Venkatesan said that the MoU with Anna University is key deliverable and will ensure that students got easier accessibility to technology, providing them with an avenue to become a part of the rapidly growing technical talent pool in the country.

Anna University is in the process of establishing knowledge data centre, coupled with a technology incubator centre wherein students will be in a position to transform their thinking into innovative products. An information and communication technology park is being planned towards this objective.