UK Academic Team Blog

Microsoft Student Partner Programme 2009- Apply today!

What are Microsoft Student Partners (MSPs)?

Microsoft Student Partners are some of the brightest, most innovative student technology enthusiasts who are currently studying at a university in the UK.

What is Microsoft Student Partner Programme?

The MSPs are part of a one year programme which is designed to help students get the most out of Microsoft tools and technologies. MSPs will work in partnership with Microsoft to reach out to technical students across the UK – helping at Microsoft events, running events on campus for students to attend, or contributing to the blogosphere or twitter chatter about the coolest technologies around. The MSP programme develops skills and gives students a head start in the ‘real world’ once they graduate and enter industry. It’s a great way for technology enthusiasts to become more engaged with the world of technology and MSPs have so many fantastic opportunities to develop their passion for technology.

Where can you find a Microsoft Student Partner (MSP)?

For events coming to your campus keep in touch with your MSP, email the Academic Marketing Team on ukmsp@microsoft.com if you have any questions or sign up to the studentzine newsletter.

What's involved?

MSPs will benefit from exclusive events and offers throughout the year and will have the chance to work closely with Microsoft throughout their time on the programme. MSPs will be involved in presentations and demonstrations of the latest technologies and develop their skills and interest areas through developing for fun.  So basically it’s about having fun with your passion for technology!

How do I become an MSP?

The MSP Programme runs in parallel to the academic year and so the applications for the 2009 programme are now open ready for the launch of the programme in September 2009. All you have to do to apply for the MSP Programme09 (2010?) is make a simple video that lasts 1-2 minutes. Your video must start with the title ‘I’m an MSP and.....’ and proceed to tell us the following:

·         Why you want to become an MSP.

·         How passionate you are about technology

·         What qualities you can bring to the programme

Please note that you will not be judged on the quality of the video alone- it’s what you have to say that we’re really interested in! All applications must be in by Friday 31^st July and should be uploaded to YouTube/ Vimeo/ MSN Video and send the link to UKMSP@microsoft.com

The Ultimate Steal: Microsoft Office Ultimate for just £38.95 for students only ending on June 26th

The Ultimate Steal offer for students in UK Universities and Colleges is close to an end.

You have until June 26th to go on the Ultimate Steal website, validate yourself as a student by providing your .ac email address and you will receive an email with further instruction to pay and download the software.

What you will get is: the latest Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook as well as Publisher, Access, Groove and OneNote. At £38.95, that’s 90% off estimated retail price. But you’ve got to have a student or faculty email address with a .ac domain from a UK higher education institution.

Silverlight Insight event for UK Academics

As Paolo blogged we (the Microsoft Academic Team in the UK) are arranging an event targeted to Academics in Universities and Design Schools in the UK.

Silverlight Insight is a one-day event designed to give attendees a solid understanding of the Silverlight 2 platform and of the Microsoft Expression Studio toolset. It is relevant to both developers and designers alike, and comprises tutor-led sessions and hands-on exercises.

Participants will also receive a copy of the Silverlight 2 curriculum which can be customised and adapted to individual teaching needs, as well as a copy of Silverlight 2 Bible by Brad Dayley.

The three days are:

• Monday, March 23rd 2009
  Central Saint Martins, College of Art & Design, University of the Arts
  London
  
• Thursday, March 26th 2009
  Bristol City College
  Bristol
  
• Tuesday, March 31st 2009
  University of Birmingham
  Birmingham

If you want to join one of the three dates, please get in touch with Paolo directly via email: pbarone [at] microsoft.com

PS: We are trying to arrange an additional date in Scotland, probably in May… while this is not confirmed yet, if you are interested in this, please let us know as well!!

MSDNAA ELMS and Windows 7 Beta

Hello Everyone,

There has never been a better time to move your MSDN AA subscription to ELMS (e-academy License Management System) because as from Thursday 5th February Windows 7 Beta will be available for distribution.

To make Windows 7 Beta available on your storefront please follow the steps below:

Step 1: Login as the Administrator
Step 2: Click on the Hosted ELMS icon on the right side of the administration page
Step 3: Select Windows 7 Beta from the product list
Step 4: Click on the button Enable Selected

(Please note that Windows 7 Beta is only available in English, German and Japanese.)

In addition to Windows 7 Beta, the following products are also available for distribution:

· XNA Game Studio 3.0

· Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 Academic Edition

· CCR and DSS Toolkit 2008

Information about ELMS and Hosted ELMS

Host MSDN AA software remotely through Hosted ELMS (e-academy License Management System).   Hosted ELMS provides administrators a remote server to enable direct download distribution without a local server on campus.  Transition your ELMS Account with these how-to guide and videos.

How-to Guides for accessing MSDN AA software.  Help your students help themselves with these how-to guides and videos.

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email on ukacinfo@microsoft.com.

Best wishes,

Allison

Microsoft IT Academy

Hello All, I thought I’d forward this information on to you all so that you can ensure that your students get access to software at a more affordable price. But not only that, the IT Academy is much more …   Microsoft IT Academy: Responding to economic challenges with proven IT education solutions Institutions everywhere are facing the same economic reality: tightening budgets present significant challenges at a time when educational needs are highest. Education is a means of learning new skills that can give students employment advantages in an extremely competitive job market. And the Microsoft IT Academy Program is uniquely positioned to deliver innovative technical education that includes accelerated course development and a complete package of courseware, e-learning programs, and course management tools. Software, online courses, a learning management system, and course curriculum are just some of the benefits of Microsoft IT Academy membership. And all of the membership benefits can scale up to serve thousands of students with one low-cost annual membership fee. Multiply the cost savings by consolidating other technology education investments within Microsoft IT Academy. Microsoft IT Academy members also have the advantage of Microsoft Certified Trainer membership and the opportunity to become a certification-exam test centre requiring nothing more than the annual membership fee. In summary, Microsoft IT Academy is an invaluable tool in a time of economic uncertainty: Educational institutions can deliver more and save costs, and students can gain a critical competitive advantage in the job market. To learn more about the Microsoft IT Academy Program and how it can help your organization please visit www.microsoftitacademy.com. For additional information, to learn more about your benefits, or renew your membership please contact the Rhys Hine, who will be happy to answer your questions. Rhys Hine Prodigy Learning t:0118 963 7711 m:044799 051 7583 e: rhys.hine@prodigyuk.co.uk Alternatively, please feel free to email the team on ukacinfo@microsoft.com   Best, Allison

The Future of .NET Languages

Hello,

Following on from the article on Microsoft Azure Services Platform, I thought I’d also point you in the direction of a further independent article, this time on The Future of .Net Languages and written by Damon Armstrong. Based in Texas, Damon is a senior architect with Cogent Company and is author of 'Pro ASP.NET 2.0 Website Programming'. He specializes in Microsoft technologies with a focus on Web application design using ASP.NET.

The article begins …

At this year's Professional Developers Conference (PDC 2008), Microsoft® was quite forthcoming with specifics about the future for developers on the Microsoft .NET® platform. In this article, we will take a quick look at some of the upcoming features in the .NET 4.0 Framework, the new Microsoft F#® language, and discuss the long-term vision Microsoft has for the .NET Platform in the years to come.

To read further, please click .Net

As always, if you have further questions regarding this article or .Net. please do get in touch by emailing unacinfo@microsoft.com.

Best,

Allison

Microsoft Azure Services Platform: Opening Up Cloud Computing

Hello,

I thought I’d tell you about an independent article on Microsoft Azure Services Platform, written by David Jacobs of The Jacobs Group. David has over twenty years of computer and networking industry experience. He has managed leading-edge software development projects and consulted to Fortune 500 companies as well as software start-ups.

The article begins…

IT departments have long faced the problem of planning for and providing sufficient processing, storage, and network bandwidth to meet the needs of the busiest times on the calendar. Application developers have distributed processing between workstations and servers within a single enterprise but crossing enterprise boundaries has proven more difficult. End users have struggled to remember a different login ID for each service they use.

Microsoft® Azure™ Services Platform addresses these issues by moving computing "into the cloud." With the Azure Services Platform, processing and storage moves from individual corporate servers and websites to large Microsoft data centres.

With cloud computing, corporate processing, storage, and network capacity no longer must be scaled to meet the highest expected level of demand. Microsoft's data centres contain processing and storage resources sufficient to meet maximum levels of demand.

Cloud-based applications and storage make it easier to share data. Enterprises can make applications available to partners without requiring users to remember different login credentials for the services each partner provides. Because all partners access the same cloud resident data, changes made by one application are automatically available to all.

While applications that execute in the cloud must be designed for the Windows environment, non-Windows based applications can access services on the Azure Services Platform using industry standards. Applications communicate with the cloud using HTTP and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), while services and data are identified and accessed using URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers). Developers administer services on the Azure Services Platform via a browser-accessible portal.

To read more please click Azure.

As always, if you would like to discuss this article or obtain further information, please do not hesitate to contact me on ukacinfo@microsoft.com.

Best,

Allison

Silverlight News

Hello Everyone,

As usual, go away for a week and you come back to lots of interesting news. So, here in the first of several blogs, I thought I’d share some of this news with you.

Silverlight Controls Source Code

The source code for the Silverlight 2 controls has now been released enabling you to download the code and modify the controls as you wish. Click here to access the download page.

Silverlight and Windows Live Essentials

Silverlight is now included in the installation package for Windows Live Essentials. Here is the list of software  included:

• MSN Messenger
• Writer
• Photo Gallery
• Mail (desktop email client for those who don’t have Outlook)
• Toolbar
• Family Safety
• Movie Maker (still in beta)

Silverlight and Linux

Work is progressing on the Moonlight project (the porting of Silverlight for the Linux platform). Since Moonlight 1 was released in Beta, Tim Heuer has published a screencast detailing his experiences of installing it.

MIX 09

The next MIX conference will happen in Las Vegas on March 18-20 and several sessions have already been announced, including quite a few around Silverlight 3.

Scott Guthrie has already announced several of the enhancements the team is working on and you can obtain further information from his blog.

Finally, the first beta version of Windows 7 has been released and while this is not strictly a Silverlight event,   Silverlight runs great on it.

Well, that’s my Silverlight news, but as always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to raise them with me on ukacinfo@microsoft.com.

Best wishes for the new year,

Allison

Developing the Future

“Creating more successful software companies that can achieve global impact requires entrepreneurs and software developers who are driven by vision, curiosity, intelligence and energy.” Gordon Frazer, Managing Director, Microsoft UK, Vice President, Microsoft International.

I was listening to Science Friction on BBC Radio 4 last week and, particularly, the debates around blue skies research against directed research, where applied and practical solutions are envisaged. The discussion about research, ranged from how it is funded to the depletion of the number of industry labs available to take university projects on to mature products and services and also considered changes in government procurement.

Touching, as this does, on entrepreneurship and, in the light of the current economic climate, I thought you might like to look at the third edition of Developing the Future, a report commissioned by Microsoft. I have one hundred copies to give away to academics. As usual there are some regulations we have to adhere to, so please read the terms and conditions at the bottom of this entry carefully.

Here in the Academic Alliance we would like to wish your a very happy and successful New Year!

Best wishes,

Allison

Developing the Future Terms and Conditions:

1. ELIGIBILITY: This promotion is open to academics in UK universities who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. 

2. TO ENTER: Simply email your name and full postal address to Allison at ukacblog@microsoft.com, and using Developing the Future as your subject line. Once you have emailed Allison, you will automatically be entered into a free prize draw to receive a selection of books.

3. TIMING: This promotion runs from 17:00.00 Friday 2nd January. The closing date for this promotion is 15:00.00 on Wednesday 28th January.    

4. SELECTION OF WINNERS: Microsoft will select one hundred winners by random draw in the presence of an independent adjudicator on Friday 30th January 2009.  The winner may be required to participate in publicity or advertising.

5. PRIZE: The winners will each receive the third edition of Developing the Future. Prizes are as stated and are non transferable.  No cash or other alternatives available. Microsoft reserve the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value.  The prize will be sent to the winners by 15^th February.

6. WINNERS LIST: The winners consent to their surname being made publicly available.  The winners surname will be available for a period of 2 months after the closing date by 28^th January 2009.

7. OTHER: No correspondence will be entered into regarding either this promotion or these Terms and Conditions. In the unlikely event of a dispute, Microsoft’s decision shall be final.  Microsoft reserve the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw this promotion at any time without notice.

Promoter: Microsoft Limited, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, RG6

MSDN Events

Hello Everyone,

As we race towards 2009, I’d like to let you know about a series of free events taking place around the UK. MSDN is offering lots of demos and code delivered by Microsoft experts who will bring you up-to-date on what’s happening in the world of Microsoft clients.

MSDN: Catch up with Microsoft Rich Client Technologies for 2008

Date: 10 February 2009

Location: London

MSDN: Catch up with Microsoft Rich Client Technologies for 2008

Date: 12 February 2009

Location: Birmingham

MSDN: Catch up with Microsoft Rich Client Technologies for 2008

Date: 24 February 2009

Location: Edinburgh

MSDN: Catch up with Microsoft Rich Client Technologies for 2008

Date: 26 February 2009

Location: Manchester

So why not start the New Year by attending a Rich Client Technology Day near you?

All the best,

Allison

Imagine Cup for Schools

Information Technology Challenge

I’d like to tell you about the IT Challenge. As you may already know the Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition. It is one way Microsoft is encouraging young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world. Traditionally aimed at university students in the UK, Microsoft is encouraging secondary school students (over 16 years old) and college students to take part in the competition.

To support individual institutions, we are offering out prizes of Windows Vista Ultimate or Office 2007 Ultimate to the top student competitors in the IT Challenge Round One at your school or college.

The IT Challenge is a fun and engaging quiz based around general IT knowledge that aligns well to most IT courses or anyone who has an interest in IT. The quiz is held online at scheduled times throughout December and January and students would compete on the www.imaginecup.com site.

All the details are on the website, but if you have any questions, or would like to receive some promotional emails to send to your students please do not hesitate to email ukacinfo@microsoft.com.

In the meantime, here are the Terms and Conditions of entry:

Terms and Conditions for Imagine Cup UK IT Challenge Invitational

1. ELIGIBILITY: This competition is open to any person resident in the United Kingdom who is 16 years of age or older at the time of entry and who is actively enrolled as a student at an accredited educational institute that grants a high-school or college/university (or equivalent) degrees at any time between January 1st 2008 and May 31st 2009. Employees or interns of Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising or promotion agencies are not eligible, nor are members of these employees’ families (defined as parents, children, siblings, spouse and life partners).
2. TO ENTER: Entry into this competition may only be made by persons who have entered into the corresponding Microsoft Global Imagine Cup 2009 Invitational (the “Global Invitational”). Entry into the Global Invitational can be made by visiting www.imaginecup.com and terms and conditions applicable to the Global Invitation will apply. Once registered for the Global Invitational individuals who have registered as being UK entrants will automatically be entered into this UK invitational competition (the “UK Invitational”) and shall be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions. Entries will not be returned. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Incomplete, damaged, defaced or illegible entries may be deemed invalid at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Entry constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Microsoft reserve the right to disqualify anyone in breach of these Terms and Conditions.
3. TIMING: This UK Invitational runs from 1st October 2008. The closing date of this UK Invitational is 15th April 2008. In order to stand a chance of winning entrants to the UK Invitational must have submitted their entry into the Global Invitation by no later than the closing date.
4. USE OF DATA: Personal data which you provide when you enter this competition may be used for future Microsoft marketing activity. If you agree to this use, please tick the Legal Information box on https://imaginecup.com/Registration/Default.aspx.
5. SELECTION OF WINNERS: The winner of the UK School and College promotion will be the UK entrant with the highest score out of all entrants from the school/college that has opted in. In the event that there is a tie between more than one entrant, each entrant will be asked to complete a tie-breaker question – ‘In 250 words or less please state how you believe technology can solve societies toughest problems’. The tie-breaker question will be sent to the entrants email on the 1^st February 2009 and answers must be received by no later than 18th February 2009. The winner of the tie-breaker will be determined by a panel of judges on 19th February 2009 based upon the most innovative and technological feasible answer (given the technology available at the present date). The panel of judges will include at least one independent member. The winner will be notified by 19h February 2009 by email or phone. The winner may be required to become involved in further publicity or advertising and the winner will be required to verify their eligibility to enter this Invitational.
6. PRIZE: The following prizes will be awarded to the winner. Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 or Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate. The prize will be sent 3 weeks after the close of the quiz.
7. WINNERS LIST: The winner consents to their surname being made publicly available. The winners surname will be available for a period of two months after the closing date by emailing ukacinfo@microsoft.com.
8. OTHER: No correspondence will be entered into regarding either this competition or these Terms and Conditions. In the unlikely event of a dispute, Microsoft’s decision shall be final. Microsoft reserve the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw this competition at any time without notice.

Promoter: Microsoft Limited, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, RG6 1WG, England

With best wishes,

Allison

Imagine Cup Registrations

Hello Everyone,

Interest for the Imagine Cup has been strong and we can confirm the various categories are now open for competition. From experience we know that the next couple of months will be key in getting great UK representation in the Imagine Cup.

Here are just a few of the reasons for  encouraging  your students to compete:

- PR: The Imagine Cup attracts the attention of both regional and national newspapers, together with  technology and education press and news websites such as the BBC. Having students from your university compete in the Imagine Cup is great for raising the profile of your university in two important ways. Firstly it demonstrates the quality of your graduates to IT employers and makes them more attractive as employees (e.g. Dominic Green, UK winner of the 2008 competition) and secondly, it attracts new students to your university.

- Skills Development: Fundamentally the Imagine Cup is about helping students get real world experience with Microsoft technology. The skills learned during the various competitions compliment their studies and are invaluable when students apply for jobs with IT companies.

- Students Inspiration: With every technology interest area catered for, the competition is a great way to channel students’ passion for technology out of class.

We want as many UK institutions and students to get involved with the Imagine Cup as possible, and to help you participate we provide:

- Giveaways for students: Every week we give away web cams and Starbucks vouchers. We also hold a monthly draw for a Dell laptop, providing everything a student needs to see them through their studies and the Imagine Cup competition.

- Donation of an Xbox 360 gaming lab kit for your university: The university with the most registrations will receive 4 Xbox 360s, 8 wired controllers and an assortment of the latest Xbox 360 titles. You are free to use them for XNA development or as a social/recreation area for students. 

If you would like to receive regular updates on the registration numbers from your university then please let me know and I will happily send them to you. You can contact me by telephone (0118 909 3409) or if you prefer by email (mailto:ukacinfo@microsoft.com).

And just to give you an idea of how we are doing so far, here are the top fifteen universities with the highest number of registrations:

If you would like to know more, them please email or telephone me. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Good luck,

Allison

Student Technology Day - Future User Experience Technologies

Hello All,

Filmed at the Royal Festival on 1st October, please find below the session by Paolo Barone on Microsoft Surface:

If for any reason you cannot view this clip, please do let me know.

Best wishes,

Allison

Student Technology Day - Microsoft Research Talk on CS Inside Halo 3 True Ranking System

For those of you who joined us at the Royal Festival Hall on 1st October and, especially for those who were otherwise engaged, please find below the session by Thore Graepel, Joaquin Quiñonero Candela and Ralf Herbrich on Microsoft Research Talk on CS Inside Halo 3 True Ranking System:

If you are unable to view the above clip, please do let me know.

Best wishes,

Allison

Student Technology Day – The Science Behind Live Search

Hello All,

For those of you who came to the Royal Festival Hall and, more importantly, for those of you who couldn’t join us on the day, please find below the session by Jay Girotto, The Science Behind Live Search:

If you have difficulty in viewing this clip, please do let me know.

Best wishes,

Allison