Microsoft, AICTE team up to provide free software access to students

GURGAON: Software giant Microsoft has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for allowing students to access all the latest Microsoft tools free of cost.
Taking its DreamSpark initiative which was launched to provide free technological access to students a step ahead, Microsoft India has entered into this pact to benefit over five million students across 12,000 colleges affiliated to and under the governance of AICTE.
According to the agreement, Microsoft will share through the AICTE portal its DreamSpark software suite, which offers free software tools to students engaged in developing web-enabled technologies.
Moorthy Uppaluri, General Manager, Developer & Platform Evangelism, Microsoft India, told TOI, In India, 90 per cent of the education disseminated in colleges is curriculum or knowledge-based and only 10 per cent is practical. Due to this, it is the innovation that suffers the most. By offering these tools to the students, we are giving them an opportunity to be creative.
Uppaluri added, Through DreamSpark, we aim to inspire students to explore technology. We are really grateful to the HRD ministry for giving us this opportunity to partner with them and make technology accessible to the students.
S S Mantha, Chairman, AICTE, said, It has become almost a necessity these days that students get acquainted with the latest tools and techniques. Microsofts DreamSpark programme provides them with the competitive edge.
Yogesh Kochhar, Director Strategic Engagement, Microsoft India, said, The government has earmarked Rs 2,00,000 crore under several mission mode projects. This program will provide students with the right opportunity.