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To be the Primary Learning partner of Microsoft and roll-out 'Women in Tech' initiative across 5,000 Schools, Colleges, and Centres in 200 cities
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To launch 8 New Specialized programs on latest Microsoft technologies to help develop an IT Talent pool
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To offer special Scholarships for Girl Students and Women on select programs till 31st December, 2014
New Delhi, October 01, 2014: NIIT Limited, leading Global Talent Development Corporation will partner with Microsoft India on its significant 'Women in Tech' initiative that has been designed to provide, attract and retain women talent in the IT industry. As the
Primary Learning Partner, NIIT will utilize its nationwide network to train & certify girl students & women in the latest Microsoft technologies, through Technology Skill enhancer courses. This will enable young girls and women in the country to find suitable careers in IT and accelerate their growth in the fast-evolving IT industry. The initiative will target girl school students, young women students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) colleges, women IT professionals and women entrepreneurs.
Microsoft and NIIT – pioneers in their respective domains, have seamlessly worked together for over 20 years as strategic allies to benefit the student community in India. Further strengthening this association, NIIT will partner with Microsoft to accelerate awareness amongst girls & women students through a massive outreach program across India. Through its unique
'IT Wizard' workshops, NIIT will introduce school girls aged 13-16 years across 4000 schools to the exciting world of IT Careers. Further, a campus connect program will reach out to young women in over a 1000 colleges and encourage them to participate & contribute to the dream of a 'Digital India.'
Microsoft has recently announced its plans to train and mentor one million women students, women IT professionals and women entrepreneurs in the next 12 months. Accordingly, the
Women in Tech initiative will impart technical skills, provide mentorship and further encourage women to join, grow and succeed in the Indian technology industry.
Speaking on the initiative,
Mr.
Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India, said "Through the Women in Tech initiative, we aim to double the number of women in India's IT industry over the next few years. We believe that women will play a pivotal role in enabling a technology powered economy."
He further added, "We are excited to partner with a proven leader like NIIT to make this program a reality and help us build a strong, successful women workforce in India."
Keeping in mind the unique requirements of student audiences, NIIT will provide specialized consultation sessions & additional test preparation modules for aspirants to successfully validate their skills and acquire globally recognized professional certifications. They will have the option to choose from NIIT's recently launched new-age programs -
FutureSmart series of digital literacy courses, 8 new
Technology Skill Enhancer courses addressing technology mega-trends such as Cloud and Mobile App Development, Big Data, Cloud Computing and Virtualization. Further, a new Post Graduate Program in Cloud Computing & IT Management, and a Certificate Program in App Development have also been launched. Participants will benefit from the convenience & new-age learning environments provided by NIIT's Cloud Campus and Microsoft's Virtual Academy.
Mr. Vijay Thadani, Chief Executive Officer, NIIT Limited said,
"NIIT and Microsoft have been strategic partners for over two decades now, with the unified purpose of developing contemporary talent pool for the Global IT Industry. The IT services
industry in India is already at the forefront in terms of employing women. It gives us great pleasure to join hands with Microsoft to further open and accelerate challenging career avenues for Women in Tech."
As per a NASSCOM report 20-25% of the literate women are science and engineering graduates. Nearly 15% of women working professionals are working in the IT and ITES sector. With an increased awareness towards the business challenges and employment opportunities many Indian women are changing their outlook, and therefore opportunities for women have considerably increased in the IT industry.
Ms. Alison Cunard, General Manager, Microsoft Learning said,
"As a woman in technology, I've seen first-hand how the right training can create great careers. I've also seen how getting women into technology builds more effective teams and helps both men and women succeed. I'm very pleased to be part of the Women in Tech initiative in India – it's a chance for Microsoft to help women, and India, fill the IT-skills gap and build an economy for the 21st century. We're proud to work with partners such as NIIT, and support their drive to create quality training and new opportunities."
As an invitational offer, special scholarships will be offered to women for a range of programs till 31st December, 2014. Additionally, to give this initiative a boost, NIIT will organize about 25 Job Fairs in the top 10 cities exclusively for women aspirants during the next 12 months. Associated career counselling & mentoring will also be provided. Furthermore, NIIT will be hiring experts who would become lead trainers for the Women in Tech initiative.
Over more than two decades, NIIT and Microsoft have collaborated to introduce path-breaking technologies in India like Windows NT 4.0 and Exchange 5.0, Visual Studio and SQL Server to name a few. NIIT was the first to introduce .NET and C# as "Technology of the Year" in 2001. Post GNIIT integration in 2008 with Microsoft, NIIT has trained over 1,00,000 students on Microsoft technologies and contributed over 75,000 Microsoft Certified Professionals to the IT industry.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 6,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research and development and customer services and support, across nine Indian cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Microsoft is committed to touching and transforming lives and businesses in India through technology.
About NIIT
Established in 1981,
NIIT Limited, a leading Global Talent Development Corporation, offers learning and knowledge solutions across 40 countries. Leading IT journal Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT the 'Top Training Company' award successively for the past 20 years, since the inception of this category.
NIIT's training solutions in IT, Banking, Finance and Insurance, Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), Business Process Management (BPM), Executive Management Education, Vocational Skills, School Learning Solutions and Communication and Professional Life Skills has impacted over 35 million learners since inception.
NIIT's Individual Learning Business offerings include industry-endorsed programs for students seeking careers in IT –
GNIIT and
Edgeineers for IT professionals. The company has introduced "India's first cloud campus", through its new-age GNIIT program. This offers students a higher mobility as they can access courseware using Netbooks to connect seamlessly to NIIT's
Cloud Campus network.
NIIT's
Corporate Learning Solutions offers Managed Training Services including integrated learning solutions (strategic consulting, learning design, content development, delivery, technology, assessment and learning management) to Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations and Publishing houses.
NIIT Yuva Jyoti, a joint venture between NIIT and NSDC, offers vocational skills training programs to enhance employability of youth across India.
NIIT's
School Learning Solutions division has provided computer-based learning to over 20, 000 Government and private schools. The futuristic
NIIT nGuru range of learning solutions for schools comprises Interactive Classrooms, Math Lab, IT Wizard programs and Quick School (Education Resource Planning software).
NIIT Imperia - Centre for Advanced Learning, offers Executive Learning Programs in association with leading Business schools in India, KPMG, Google India and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), using the synchronous learning platform.
NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (NIIT IFBI), formed by NIIT with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers programs for individuals and corporates in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance. NIIT Institute of Process Excellence Limited, a NIIT-GENPACT venture (NIIT Uniqua), offers complete training outsourcing services to the Business Process, Knowledge and Technology Services industry to create business models that enhance productivity and lower costs.
In recognition of its people centric policies, which foster an environment of growth and career development, NIIT has been ranked as the 4th
Best Company to work for in India 2013-14, by Great Place to Work Institute®.
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