UK Academic Team Blog

MSDN: What’s New in Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1?

Hello,

I want to invite you along to a free half day event taking place in Exeter on 23rd October 2008 and which was created with developers in mind.

Technical experts from the UK MSDN team will deliver a range of demos and provide insight into the latest enhancements across many areas of the .Net Framework. This is your opportunity to broaden your knowledge base and stay ahead of these latest developments.

If you think this is something you’d like to attend, you can find out more or register by clicking here.

In the meantime, have a lovely weekend.

Allison

Microsoft IT Academy Student Pass

In an earlier blog I directed you toward the free Preparation Kit for the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Exam 70-571 and, following on from that, today I’d like to introduce you to the Microsoft IT Academy Student Pass which provides free e-learning courses to verified university students and is an excellent way for them to supplement their degree studies with additional learning on Microsoft technologies.

To access eLearning, students will require a unique code for authentication and these codes can be obtained from the academic team. For further information, please email Ed Dunhill (edunhill@microsoft.com).

Your students may also want to explore Microsoft technical certifications, and the IT Academy Student Pass is a perfect entry point to five different certification paths.

Please encourage your students to visit the site and learn more.

Best wishes,

Allison

The Academic Alliance Book Giveaway

Hello Everyone,

It is that time again: your academic year begins and we, in the Academic Alliance, clear out our stack of books. If you would like to receive a bundle of six free books for your university library then please contact me.

There are some rules to follow, so please read the following carefully and good luck!

Academia Book Prize Draw 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 postal address to Allison at ukacblog@microsoft.com, and using Academic Alliance Book Prize Draw 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 13:00.00 Friday 26^th September. The closing date for this promotion is 15:00.00 on Wednesday 1^st October.    

4. SELECTION OF WINNERS: Microsoft will select twenty-six winners by a random prize draw in the presence of an independent adjudicator on Friday 3rd October.  The winners will be notified by email by Friday 10^th October. The winner may be required to participate in publicity or advertising.

5. PRIZE: The winners will each receive three Microsoft Press books. Prizes 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 winner by 15^th October.

6. WINNERS LIST: The winner consents to their surname being made publicly available.  The winners surname will be available for a period of 2 months after the closing date by 0^th December 2008.

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

Allison

Microsoft Certification for Windows Embedded CE 6.0

Hello All,

I know that many of you are considering incorporating the Microsoft Certification Program into your curricula so that graduating students supplement their degrees with an industry recognised certification.

With this in mind I thought you might like to know about the the free Preparation Kit for the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Exam 70-571 together with the 50% off voucher which you can redeem against the examination until 5th January 2009.

If you’d like to learn more, please click here.

And good luck!

Best,

Allison

Student Technology Day … making computer science matter

Hi,

I thought you might like to know about an event we are hosting at The Royal Festival Hall on 1st October for engineering, computer science and design students.

Suitable for both undergraduate and postgraduate students who are passionate about technology the day will include a wide range of talks together with a keynote speech from Steve Ballmer, CEO.

Students who register may even have the opportunity to have their question put to Steve Ballmer in a special Q&A session.

Unfortunately spaces are extremely limited, so if you think you and your students might be interested, please do  register as soon as possible by clicking on  Student Technology Day.

I hope we see you there.

In the meantime, enjoy the weekend,

Allison

Windows Embedded Seminars

Last week I posted news about the Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems Event at TVP on 21st October.

Following on from that post, I’d also like to tell you about a series of online seminars relating to specific aspects of Windows Embedded technology. While not perhaps for those of you already teaching embedded technologies, the seminars may prove useful if you are considering future curriculum developments.

Windows Embedded and Gaming
16th September 2008
9:00 - 10:00

Windows Embedded and Kiosk Solutions
13th November 2008
9:00 - 10:00

Windows Embedded and Industrial Automation
19th February 2009
9:00 - 10:00

Windows Embedded and Medical Solutions
30th April 2009
9:00 - 10:00

If any of the above are of interest, you can get further information by clicking here.

Best,

Allison

Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems - Event TVP 21st Oct

Hello,

I thought I’d pass news of this free event on to you all in case it is relevant to your research/teaching programs.

Microsoft invites you to attend our exclusive onsite event focusing around the availability of Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems (Windows® XP Pro FES) through until 2016.

Did you know...
Windows^® XP Pro (FES) – Available Until 2016?

Date and Location:
          Tuesday 21st October 2008
          Microsoft UK Offices, Thames Valley Park, Reading

Event Overview:
IT Professionals will learn about the key differences between Windows® XP Professional and Windows® XP Pro FES, including an overview on the product’s technical features, and it’s availability through the OEM Embedded Devices (OED) channel until 2016.  Attendees will have the opportunity to network with Microsoft Windows Embedded UK Authorised Distributors and have any questions answered directly by Microsoft.  

Who Should Attend:
All technical professionals who are developing OS platforms for devices such as kiosks, ATM Systems, POS devices, industrial automation, complex medical devices or any other device used in a dedicated fixed function application and are looking for a solution for their next project.  

Windows® XP Professional for Embedded Systems:
Microsoft Windows® XP Pro FES is technically identical to the standard version of Windows XP Professional used for general purpose computing devices, however with different licensing terms that are suitable for fixed function devices such as kiosks, ATM Systems, POS devices, industrial automation and complex medical devices.
Microsoft Windows XP Professional for Embedded Systems is a mature, stable product with excellent standards-based security, manageability, and reliability, excellent plug and play capabilities, easy-to-use user interface, and innovative support services. Windows® XP Pro FES is suitable for embedded devices that have a need for Windows XP Professional application compatibility.  For more information please ‘click here’.

Special HTC TOUCH PHONE Draw:
Registration for this event enters you in our special draw for an HTC TOUCH PHONE P3450 at the end of event.  Register today for your chance to win.  You must attend the event to win.

Have a lovely Bank Holiday,

Allison

Microsoft Research Asia - 10th Anniversary Innovation Forum

On August 12, Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft^®, joined visionary technologists from Microsoft Research (MSR) Asia, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, and the University of Hong Kong, to celebrate a decade of ground-breaking collaboration during the Microsoft Research Asia's 10th Anniversary Innovation Forum.

Gates, who delivered the keynote speech, said that Microsoft’s relationship to academia in the Asia Pacific region remains vital and that cultivating the next generation of researchers should continue to be a focal point of MSR Asia’s work. “For the last 10 years, great collaborative work between Microsoft Research Asia and the region’s world-leading academic researchers has resulted in a wide range of exciting technology innovations,” Gates said. “As Asia becomes more and more of a global centre for innovation, I have no doubt that Microsoft Research Asia and its academic partners will have an even bigger impact on the world of technology.”

At the MSR Asia Innovation Forum, Bill Gates said that the success of Microsoft depends on its ability to attract and retain the best talent from around the world—something he believes MSR Asia is doing well.

To learn more about this collaboration and to hear Bill’s speech, click Innovation.

Best wishes,

Allison

News from the Faculty Summit

Lee Dirks, the Director for Education and Scholarly Research, announced five new ‘lifecycle’ tools for academics and researchers. The tools are as follows:

1. Research Information Centre
2. Creative Commons (an add-in to Microsoft Office)
3. Article Authoring (an add-in to Microsoft Word)
4. E-Journal Hosting Service
5. Research Output Repository Platform

To hear more about these tools from Lee, please visit Channel 8.

If you have any questions, do contact me and I’ll see if I can get them answered for you.

Best,

Allison

Silverlight – Dive Deep

From now on, Senior Program Manager, Jesse Liberty, will be concentrating his efforts on more advanced technical questions in his Silverlight tutorials and is asking for your help.

So if there is a topic you would like Jesse to focus on, or indeed something you think would make a great tutorial, then please do share it with him – and us for that matter! Here in the Academic Alliance we’re all for giving Jesse something challenging to do!

You can find out more, here.

Best,

Allison

Microsoft Tech-Ed 2007 Conference DVD sets to give away

Good morning,

I thought I’d start the week with a give-away of the ten Tech-Ed Conference DVD sets sitting on my desk.

So, if you live in the UK and would like me to pop one in the post to you, email me your address details and the first ten to reply will get the goodies.

Have a good week.

Allison

Software Entrepreneurship Faculty Workshop

Hi All,

In June, Bournemouth University played host to Lars Lindstedt who delivered a two day Software Entrepreneurship Faculty Workshop.

The training materials for that event are now available to view on the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship website and include the slide decks together with a couple of case studies.

Do please take a look, and if you have any questions or want further information, come back to me and I’ll be happy to help.

Best,

Allison McVety

Academic Information Manager

Pixel Poetry

Hi,

It was our very great pleasure to sponsor and support the Microsoft Photography Competition at the Department of Engineering 2008, at the University of Cambridge.

If proof were needed, these photographs exemplify the strong connection between art and science and that engineering particularly, has an inner beauty. The winning photograph, Blue Spikes, by Sonja Findeisen-Tandel, together with other stunning entries can be viewed at Microsoft Photography Competition at the Department of Engineering.

Which puts me in mind on Imagine Cup 2009 and the category for best photo story. It isn’t too soon to get your students involved and thinking about the competition.  You never know, the lucky winner could be from your university and joining us in Cairo for the world finals. The next set of photographs could be of the pyramids and feluccas on Nile.

For an overview of the photo story competition please visit Photo Story.

All the best,

Allison

remix UK – a 48 hour conversation

Hi Everyone

If you have been wondering 'where next for the web?' this event might just be for you and there is an early bird saving for the first three hundred people to book. Click here to reserve a place.

And if you have any ideas for a topic you would like to see presented at remix UK and have a good idea of just who you’d like to present it, there is a chance you can get it added to the mash up.

Best for the weekend,

Allison

Gamesfest 2008

Hello Everyone,

I thought you might like to hear about Gamefest 2008 which takes place on 6^th August at Chelsea Football Club and particularly, I thought you’d like to know about the early bird savings on registration if you book before midnight on 25^th July 2008.

Gamefest 2008 is a full-day game technology conference with a keen industry focus, including a Gamefest Expo of exhibiting Games Tools and Middleware Companies together with Authorized Test Vendors and is aimed at key personnel from small game studios to the largest game publishers.

There are forty talks across seven tracks ranging from Graphics to Producer & Business Development. In the Casual Games and XNA Game Studio track, for example, you will hear about Game Studio networking, performance, XNA Framework Content Pipeline and much, much more. You’ll also learn about plans to enable developers to drive the next wave of growth across the games industry.

So do come along and join us for a day of serious play.

Allison