Microsoft Launches DreamSpark: Indian Students Get Access to Technical Software at No Charge
Bill Gates Talks to Students About the Use of Technology in Improving Lives
– Access to software developer and designer tools to students at no charge
– DreamSpark includes:
- Visual Studio 2005/2008 Professional Edition,
- Expression Studio (includes Web, Blend, Media and Design),
- SQL Server 2005 Express, SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition,
- Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition,
- XNA Game Studio 2.0 and
- 12-month trial academic subscription to the XNA Creators Club
– Available online on www.dreamsparkindia.com; and via DVDs at NIIT, Aptech and Hughes Net Fusion Centers
Microsoft India today unveiled DreamSpark – a software giveaway for an estimated 10 million plus qualified students in the country. DreamSpark will provide students access to the latest Microsoft developer and designer tools at no charge to unlock their creative potential and set them on the path to academic and career success. The program is aligned to Microsoft Unlimited Potential, the company’s global effort to creating sustained social and economic opportunity for everyone.
Addressing students and academicians at IIT Delhi, Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corp, said, “We want to do everything we can to equip a new generation of technology leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to harness the magic of software to improve lives, solve problems and catalyze economic growth. Microsoft DreamSpark provides professional-level tools that we hope will inspire students like you to explore the power of software and encourage you to forge the next wave of software-driven breakthroughs.”
Microsoft DreamSpark is available to all students whose studies touch on technology, design, math, science and engineering; as well as technology hobbyists keen on pursuing a career in the field. Worldwide, several million people use the software suite that will now be available free of charge.
The following cutting-edge software will be available to empower students to unlock their ingenuity by building critical skills:
Microsoft developer tools
– Visual Studio 2005 Express
– Visual Studio 2005 Professional
– Visual Studio 2008 Professional
– Visual Basic 2008 Express
– Visual C++ 2008 Express
– Visual C# 2008 Express
– Visual Web Developer 2008 Express
– XNA Game Studio 2.0
– 12-month free Academic membership in the XNA Creators Club
Microsoft designer tools
– Expression Studio 2, including
- Expression Web
- Expression Blend
- Expression Design
- Expression Media
Microsoft platform resources
– SQL Server 2008 Developer
– SQL Server 2008 Express
– Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
– Virtual PC 2007
Training Resources
– IT Academy Student Pass
This broad range of professional level software will be available both online on www.dreamsparkindia.com and in offline format via DVDs distributed by program partners NIIT, Aptech and Hughes Net Fusion Centers. A student merely needs to offer a proof of identity at a branch of these institutes to avail of a DreamSpark DVD. There are 125 NIIT, 175 Aptech, and 200 Hughes Net Fusion Centers participating across the country.
These program partners will also provide technology training on the DreamSpark software tools at a nominal cost; as well as have the option of soft skills training in languages like English and Hindi. Microsoft India is also working with academic institutions, government bodies and student organizations across the country to ensure that all students get a chance to benefit from DreamSpark. The DreamSpark initiative in India is designed to join the dots between software access, which means making training and enablement complement simple access to technology.
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