In Today’s world, there is something which is everywhere,
it’s like an epidemic with no control button! We call it “Technology “, found
Everywhere, entwined so much with our lives that our lifestyle revolves around
how we use it. It effects how we work, socialize, shop and learn. Learning is
the most fundamental part of Human Life and technology has helped us quenching
the everlasting thirst of knowledge.
With the drastic increase in the use of
technology in Today’s Technology driven world, the need for professionals in
tec Industry has grown also. It is no secret that skilled technology
professionals are shortage in workforce and their ever increasing demand in the
industry is alarming. Pakistan is one of those countries where technological
innovations are blooming and more and more students are choosing technology as
career. Giving the trend and interest of youth and individuals in country,
making a timely move, Software Giant-Microsoft has invested in various
technology platforms to cater the needs of the emerging technology industry in
Pakistan sticking true to its mission “ To empower every person and every
organization on the planet to achieve more building a mobile- first,
cloud-first world “. Microsoft has attracted a lot of attraction with the
introduction of its’ reliable and user friendly services
Microsoft Developer Experience Group (DX Group)
in Pakistan is actively playing its’ part in empowering the IT ecosystem of
Pakistan through
engagement with audience segments across various verticals that range from
private organizations, startups, independent software vendors, IT
professionals, faculty and students. Microsoft Innovation Centers (MIC’s) in
Lahore (Arfa Karim Tech Park) and Karachi (Bahria University) are an initiative
of DX Group providing state of the art facilities to foster the growth of
software economies. While each Center tunes its programs to local needs, they
all provide similar content and services designed to accelerate technology
advances and stimulate local software economies through skills and professional
training, industry partnerships and innovation. Currently there are 115
Microsoft Innovation Centers worldwide from which 2 are in Pakistan. Microsoft
Innovation Center in Pakistan offers internship programs specifically to final
year and fresh graduated students to enhance their capabilities and skill and
prepare them for industry. Internship program is offered twice a year. Looking
for a place to test the compatibility of your software product, look no further
, for MIC offers “Project Testing Lab “, which provide technical and business
testing of software products targeting platform compatibility and capacity.
Microsoft
offers various programs to enhance the skills of IT professionals, developers,
faculties and students. Such is the example of Microsoft’s Skill Accelerator
Program that focuses towards imparting technical skills among students, and
professional. The objective is to develop a strong technical resource pool in
Pakistan on the latest of the tools and technology, this helps drive innovation
and fuel local software economy. The program focuses on categories such as
Windows Azure and Cloud Computing, Windows Share Point, Mobile App Development
etc.
Microsoft
has always been Developers’ best choice for the number of incentives offered
and Microsoft Developer Network commonly abbreviated as “MSDN” provides
developer with the resources and content for different Microsoft Technologies.
It helps developer in many ways. (E.g. in MSDN Subscription Developer can have
more than 11 Terabytes of Microsoft Application Software). There is an official
forum for developers and IT Pros where they can start discussion about their
problems and technology specialists and MVPs from Microsoft helps them. Using
MSDN forum developer can directly be in touch with technology experts and
program managers.
Today’s
Pakistan, where jobs lack the qualification of individuals, there is need to
create jobs then to find one, and one of the most effective way to progress the
economy of country and using people abilities to the fullest is helping them
achieve the dream of having their own businesses. If you have a high potential
software start-up and you are looking to transform it into successful business,
Microsoft can help you do that with its’ programs including BizPark and Startup
Incubation. MICs offer incubation space and hardware for selected startup
companies for up to 6 months. MICs call for startups incubation every 6 months
and the startups pitch their idea along with business model that’s reviewed by
their local metros. It is a fact that students of today will drive the
technology of tomorrow, looking to engage the young minds in your start-up!
Look no further than the Microsoft Students to Business (S2B) program for
qualified, business-ready students to fill entry-level jobs and internships in
technology. As a Microsoft community initiative, S2B connects partners and
customers with university students near graduation who plan to pursue careers
in technology. This program provides students with real world experience –
enhancing their career opportunities and establishing skills that will benefit
the technology industry and fuel innovation.
In the first 11
months of the program 23,000 start-ups were helped, which are supported by a
network of 1,800 venture capitalists, government agencies, and incubators.
Students are
the future of any Nation and Pakistan is no exception to it. Pakistani Students
have brought home various honors and rewards to prove they are no less than
anyone. However, the percentage of students possessing technological knowledge
and pursuing it as a career is, still low as compare to the demand of National
and International Market. Microsoft offers various programs to help students to
engage in technology in creative and effective ways. DreamSpark is a wonderful
initiative taken up by Microsoft to provide services of teaching, learning and
research to both faculty and students. HEC and Microsoft Educational Alliance
Agreement is a step towards the better technological future of Pakistan.
Recently at the launch of “Student Advantage Program”, OFFICE365 Services were
announced to be available for free for students enrolled in Higher Educational
Institutions of Pakistan. It will benefit the students to install genuine
Microsoft Office Products on up to 5 Pc’s, including 1TB of OneDrive storage,
social networking services such as Yammer, Skype for Business, Exchange and
SharePoint.
Microsoft has
Ambassadors in higher institutions of Pakistan called “Microsoft Student
Partners “. Microsoft Student Partners are the
future of technology. In Pakistan under Education Alliance Agreement (EAA) with
HEC, Microsoft has student partner presence across Universities of Pakistan. In
over 100 countries of the world, thousands of MSP’s share their deep knowledge
with their fellow students. Mastering the latest content from Microsoft
Imagine, they share what they learn and invite Microsoft Experts in their
respective campuses by arranging Workshops, Hackathons, Sessions and tech
events. In Pakistan there are over 150 universities and a large pool of MSP’s
which are really hard working and dedicated to technology.
What better way to motivate students and youth then to engage them in
competitions where they could share their innovative ideas with the world.
Microsoft offers Imagine Cup; a global student technology program that provides
the opportunities for students across all disciplines to team up and use their creativity, passion and knowledge
of technology to create applications, games and integrates solutions that can
change the way we live, work and play. Every year students from Pakistan
participates in this global competition and shows their great interest in
technologies.
Today's
youth face an opportunity divide – a gap between those who have access to the
skills and training they need to be successful, and those who do not. Microsoft
has announced YouthSpark, a company-wide, global initiative to create
opportunities for 300 million youth by 2015. Through 30+ programs and
partnerships with more than 350 youth-serving nonprofits, YouthSpark has
created new opportunities for more than 227 million young people in over 100
countries around the world.
Microsoft has
something for everyone.
From students to teachers and clients to entrepreneurs, you’ll find yourself
helped with various programs and initiatives by Microsoft. So, what are you
waiting for, Team up today with one of the Biggest software companies of the
world and play your part in the progress of Nation and taking it to the heights
of technological Glory!
