IT school to tie up with Microsoft

Microsoft Philippines will tie up with the National Institute for Information Technology (NIIT) in providing education and training facilities to Filipino students when NIIT starts operation in the country this month.

NIIT, a global IT company engaged in IT education and training as well as software development and consultancy and knowledge solution, is set to compete aggressively with existing local IT schools such as STI Computer College and AMA Computer School.

NIIT has been lauded by Microsoft Philippines for its extensive use of Microsoft’s line of server platforms such as Exchange and its Office 2000-based Digital Dashboard Technology.

According to Richard Francis, head of Microsoft Philippines, "we at Microsoft are happy and extremely honored for being a part of NIIT’s remarkable thrust of successfully creating solutions that promotes and strengthens global online learning as well as setting new benchmarks in business software developer productivity."

Francis added that "NIIT’s presence in the Philippines will no doubt help reinforce the country’s vision of soon achieving full knowledge economy status."

The Philippines is hoping to match, if not topple India, in software development and services.

Francis affirmed Microsoft’s continued support to NIIT in its present and future activities in the Philippines.

According to Jay Silayan, managing director of Mindstream Inc., the local licensee of NIIT, NIIT’s goal in the Philippines is to educate more software developers.

Futurz, Silayan elaborated, is a two-year course for new high school graduates or college students who want to earn a diploma and work as a software engineer for e-technology.

Eligible students, Silayan said, could even get a bachelor’s degree from international or local schools affiliated with NIIT.

The second type is the Curriculum for Advanced Studies (CATS) which is intended for IT professionals, to help them upgrade their knowledge and skill in order to keep progressing in the ever changing IT field, Silayan said.

The third program is the Short Work Programs in Information Technology (SWIFT) which is for those who would like to become more aware of computers.

This program, Silayan said, would include a number of literacy programs meant for working professionals.