Microsoft working hard to produce quality Indian engineers

Microsoft, whose CEO Satya Nadella completed engineering degree in India before emigrating to the United States, and which employs the second-largest number of engineers from India, is actively involved in enhancing the quality of the engineering-education in India.

Early this year, Microsoft announced its partnership with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), with the aim of empowering students and educators with future skills.

As part of this partnership, more than 1,500 Microsoft course modules are made available to students and educators free of charge via the ELIS of AICTE’s e-learning portal.

Microsoft’s learning resource center, Microsoft Learn, is integrated with the ELIS platform to provide access to personalized learning pathways and resources for students, which include a wide range of technologies, including AI, IoT, computer science, and cloud computing, among others.

The collaboration also gives educators access to the best online learning pathways and instructor-led training materials through the Microsoft Learn for educators platform.

Qualifying educators and faculty members have access to Microsoft’s ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials that are in line with the recognized Microsoft certification.

“We are committed to empowering learners and educators across the country to excel in emerging technologies and work together in the journey to thrive in a digital future,” said Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India, in a statement.

According to the company, through this partnership, students also get the opportunity to be practical with technology and build for the future with Azure for Students.

Eligible students 18 years and older can build programs, explore AI and make the most of big data with access to more than 25 free Azure services, along with US $ 100 in Azure credit, which can be renewed annually.

To make learning more interactive, Microsoft is hosting live webinars on next-generation AICTE technology for students.

To ensure that technology benefits everyone, Microsoft will also sponsor 1000 ‘Microsoft Certification Exam Vouchers’ that distribute various technologies to students from sub-communities.

“AICTE would like to work with Microsoft to help students use the latest technology and build products and services for the future,” says Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chair of AICTE, Ministry of Education.

It may be noted that on January 28, 2021, Microsoft launched its new India Development Center (IDC) facility at Noida ( National Capital Territory Region) that will serve as a premier hub for driving cutting-edge engineering and innovation.

IDC NCR is Microsoft’s third Development Center in India after Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

The Noida workspace is a step towards realizing IDC’s vision of being a source of innovation for the next billion users. The center will build on Microsoft’s commitment to tap India’s world-class engineering talent and create solutions for a global impact.

The IDC NCR facility will collaborate with Microsoft teams globally to build products and services for driving digital innovation. The center will provide opportunities for engineering talent in the areas of Business & Productivity tools, AI, Cloud & Enterprise, Core Services, and the new Gaming division.

The IDC NCR workspace architecture is inspired by the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. The structure is a unique amalgamation of the latest Microsoft technologies and locally sourced materials. The intricate artwork by local artisans and graphics inspired by India’s rich cultural heritage elevate the aesthetics of the office. Its stunning marble inlays, vaulted doorways, arches, and marble domes created by stonemasons and carpenters, are a tribute to the country’s historical and rich craftsmanship.

The project is in line with Microsoft’s commitment to sustainability, and the facility has implemented energy and water conservation practices to reduce its carbon footprint. The Project Team incorporated many considerations during the design process to ensure that the office meets our high sustainability measures. Our base building is LEED platinum rated, meaning it caters to the highest sustainability standards of construction and operation.

According to Riku Pentikäinen, Regional Director, Asia Real Estates Operations, “Recognizing the strategic importance of establishing Microsoft engineering presence in Noida, my team went over and beyond in ensuring that our first engineering hub in Noida truly represents Microsoft Design Language infused with local culture and inheritance. In this respect, I feel the team overdid themselves, and the newly opened Noida office is one of the most beautiful Microsoft workspaces, we have designed, to date.”

Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director, Microsoft India Research & Development Pvt. Ltd., says that “The Microsoft NCR workplace represents a critical expansion of our world-class technology talent and exceptional engineering presence in India. Digital Transformation is set to trigger the new frontier of innovation, and the excellent facilities at the Microsoft Noida workplace provide the right environment for shaping the future of the IT industry in this part of the world. Our architectural tribute to the iconic Taj Mahal was made with constant considerations to meet our deep commitment to sustainability and support for local artisans and materials.”

It may be noted that IDC also recently opened an additional office space at Sohini Tech Park in Hyderabad, built to a hybrid work environment. The layout and design come with productivity-enhancing features such as Team-Based Neighborhood Spaces with workstations-on-wheels, Scrum areas, Microsoft Teams AV enabled meeting rooms, collaboration spaces, and breakout hubs. The experiential graphics designs and interiors also support diversity, inclusion, and accessibility; and connects at a global level within the local context.

Microsoft India Development Center (IDC) is one of Microsoft’s largest R&D centers outside the Redmond headquarters. Set up in Hyderabad in 1998, IDC drives Microsoft’s strategy of globally shared development to build products and services. With a presence in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and now NCR, IDC houses three technology groups and core engineering services, driving some of the most impactful and innovative work happening across Microsoft.

Microsoft, which is committed to enabling digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge and empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, set up its India operations in 1990.

Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 13,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research, development and customer services and support, across 11 Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Microsoft offers its global cloud services from local data centers to accelerate digital transformation across Indian startups, businesses, and government organizations.