PRESSRELEASES

Microsoft India Launches DreamSpark Yatra 2012

100 cities in 100 days, will reach over 60,000 students

February 08, 2012


February 8, 2012, New Delhi: Microsoft Student Partners (MSPs) today kick-started the DreamSpark Yatra 2012 - an initiative aimed to create a local ecosystem of technology enthusiasts. The launch in New Delhi, held at the Indian Institue of Technology (IIT-D), saw over 600 students listening and interacting with Rob Sinclair, Chief Accessibility Officer, Microsoft Corporation.
The occasion saw Mr. Sinclair give a call-to-arms speech to all students around 'Inclusive Innovation' - and how the focus for this year's Yatra is to raise awareness of accessibility solutions which help people to see, hear, and use computers to their full potential. This was followed by sessions, hosted by Microsoft Student Partners (MSPs), on the latest Microsoft technologies including Microsoft Kinect, Windows Phone, and a sneak preview of the forthcoming Windows 8 operating system.

The DreamSpark Yatra 2012 will travel to 99 other locations in the next 99 days, to reach out to over 60,000 students. Microsoft India has the largest technology student champion ecosystem on the planet - the Microsoft Student Partners - and the 750 MSPs in India are playing an active role in organizing the Yatra in their respective cities.

Pratima Amonkar, Director, DPE Academia, Microsoft India, said, "The DreamSpark Yatra is our annual initiative aimed at driving wide-spread enthusiasm for, and awareness of the latest technology innovations. We were delighted with the response that we have received for last year's Yatra and are hopeful that this unique platform will enable thousands more students across the country get to experience the latest in technology, inspiring new ideas and innovation.

Speaking at the launch of the Dream Spark Yatra 2012, M.V. Priyank, Microsoft Student Partner, said, "Microsoft DreamSpark Yatra is the platform which provides us an opportunity to share knowledge, and spread awareness about innovations in technology. Uniqueness about this Yatra is the fact that it targets to cover 100 cities in 100 days. This Yatra also helps students get access to Microsoft's other academic initiatives like Imagine Cup & Student to Business program. While Imagine Cup helps address societal problems like education, poverty, and health, Student to Business prepares students to get technical jobs. DreamSpark yatra also provides a great platform to network with like-minded people and helps to enhance our leadership qualities."
For media information, please contact:

Nehashri Bhargava
nbhargava@ipanhillandknowlton.com
9818803434

Gopika Gulati
ggulati@ipanhillandknowlton.com
9871171998
About Microsoft Student Partners (MSPs)
MSPs is an initiative that recognizes top young minds from around the world that are passionate about technology. It is a unique opportunity for students to learn about the technology of today and tomorrow, to develop real-world skills to help them succeed in their future careers, and to connect with other like-minded students, all whilst having a ton of fun along the way. Over 2,000 students from India have been part of this initiative over the last four years, and currently there are nearly 750 students from across the country who are MSPs.

About Microsoft DreamSpark
Microsoft DreamSpark is available to all students whose studies touch on technology, design, math, science and engineering; as well as student technology hobbyists keen on pursuing a career in the field. This broad range of professional level software is available at www.dreamspark.com. In India, till date, more than 4.5 million students have gained access to the latest Microsoft tools since the program inception in 2008.

About DreamSpark Yatra
Since 2010, MSPs in India have been conducting the annual DreamSpark Yatra. Along with exclusive sessions by MSPs and Microsoft executives, the DreamSpark Yatra focuses on apprising students on the latest industry trends to put them on the path of academic and career success. It is an initiative aimed at driving wide-spread enthusiasm for, and awareness of the latest innovations and technology. Thousands of students across the country get to experience the latest in technology, sparking new ideas and innovation whilst participating in a forum that helps them decide what their career path could be.

For more information, please refer:
http://www.facebook.com/microsoftindiastudent

About Microsoft India

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, USA. It has had a presence in India since 1990 and currently has offices in nine cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.

Leadership Profile



Media Contacts

Dipti Mehra
Manager PR - Consumer & Online Advertising
Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: 0124-4158000
Email: mspr@microsoft.com


Sabah Hamid
Manager - Corporate PR
Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: 0124-4158000
Email: mspr@microsoft.com


Tushar Makkar
Program Manager - Business Value PR
Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Tel: 0124-4158000
Email: mspr@microsoft.com