Microsoft to open IT academy in Jharkhand

Thursday, 02 October 2003, 19:30 IST
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RANCHI: The decision came after a meeting between state Chief Minister Arjun Munda and chief technology officer of Microsoft Worldwide Craig Mundei. The project will be the second of its kind in India, after Hyderabad. "Microsoft was impressed with the IT development that has taken place in the state in a short time. The project will put the state on the international map in the IT sector," an official in the chief minister's office told IANS. Microsoft has agreed to extend a helping hand to the state in promoting IT. Sources said the chief minister has offered land in the Namkom area here to set up the academy. However, Microsoft has said the area will be decided after its officials visit the state. It will launch the pilot project on education software in Jharkhand that will be first of its kind in India. Under this project, a Tabloid Computer will act as a friend and teacher. The state would also take the company's help in e-governance and has requested Microsoft to develop software in the local language to take IT to rural areas. The MoU is likely to be signed in the third week of October when the Microsoft representative for India, Rajiv Kaul, visits the state. Recently, the state government signed an MoU with the Software Technology Park of India to set up a software park in the state at the cost of 90 million. The district headquarters are also linked with videoconferencing.
Source: IANS
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