Microsoft East and Southern Africa announced the launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy

By Dan Muhuni
Microsoft East and Southern Africa has today announced its commitment to improve education services in Kenya by the launch of the Microsoft Virtual Academy, a fully cloud-based learning experience leveraging Microsoft Cloud Technologies. Dubbed "Open Door event"  this is a major technology event where Microsoft showcases its latest generation of technologies to Kenyan professionals and enthusiasts.
Targeting the student community as well as IT professionals, the Microsoft Virtual Academy is geared towards encouraging and promoting local innovation and improving employability.

Microsoft PR Manager stressing a point during the launch 

 Students have access to a variety of free online training content and are able to learn at their own pace, enabling them to build the necessary Information Technology skills critical to most careers.   Speaking during during the launch of this year’s Microsoft Open Door activities, Vincent Mugambi, Developer & Platform Manager, Microsoft East and Southern Africa said “Microsoft has stepped up its partnership with local universities to empower the students with the best technology tools to enhance their learning experience.”
“We are striving to develop a culture conducive to innovation. As we recognize that the potential to innovate must be nurtured early-on, Microsoft will continue to provide appropriate and superior learning tools to encourage innovation,” said Mugambi.
The Microsoft Virtual Academy complements the recently launched Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) programme, an educational and promotional program for undergraduate and postgraduate students majoring in technology related disciplines such as computer science, computer information systems, and information technology. It aims to enhance students' employability and increase students' awareness of Microsoft technologies. Student Partners are offered training especially in product-specific skills not typically taught in academia.

“It is a thrilling experience to study Microsoft technologies and advance my career,” said George Mbuthia, a student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. “By earning points for downloading and studying materials and passing the self-assessment tests the program also keeps me motivated and encouraged, as I can constantly see my progress.”

Following completion of the program, Student Partners are expected to share their knowledge among the academic community through arranging courses, giving presentations and initiating projects. The tenure for the Microsoft Student Program is one academic year and can be renewed on acceptable performance.
Microsoft has already identified 15 student partners in Kenya drawing membership from Strathmore University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricultural Technology-JKUAT, Methodist University, University of Nairobi and Kabarak University. These students have proven their technology prowess as well as their effective articulation of Microsoft technologies.
The Microsoft Virtual Academy and Microsoft Student Program are both driven by Microsoft’s belief that no other investment promises bigger return than an investment in skills – in the community, in the classroom, or in the workplace. By focusing on skills development, the company is not only improving employability, but contributing to the development of local knowledge economies, and arming African people with the tools to develop their own solutions to the continent’s challenges.