Delhi: Budding engineers got a sneak preview of the software and technologies of tomorrow, when representatives from Microsoft India organized a 'Microsoft Day' at Delhi Technological University (DTU), formerly Delhi College of Engineering, today. Mr. Phani Kondepudi, Lead Academic Access & Alliance from Microsoft India, visited DTU's campus and told the enthusiastic minds about the various academic programs and initiatives taken by the Microsoft. Speaking at the occasion, he said, "We at Microsoft believe in partnering with education community to help students and educators fully realize their potential by giving them the tools, means and opportunities to learn, grow, experience and achieve. We would like to have a meaningful academic relation with DTU for the benefit of the student community."

Mr. Phani handed over 3000 keys to DTU students which will provide them free access to Microsoft's DreamSpark Program, professional level developer and designer tools and training as well as to Microsoft-IT Academy Student Pass, which will enable them to access the courses and curriculum one needs to undertake to get the Microsoft Certifications. Mr. Phani also spoke about the immensely popular Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition and the different categories of the competition in which students could participate. Microsoft Imagine Cup primarily encourages development of new technologies for social change and is scheduled to be held in Poland this year. He also conducted a short-quiz and gave away Microsoft T-shirts as prizes to the students.

In his welcome address, Prof. P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, DTU said, "It is a great day for DTU to have senior officials of Microsoft India spend a day at our campus. Microsoft is not merely a leader in software design but a crusader of change and contributor to the growth of community of connected people who would create a new knowledge age." The Vice Chancellor also expressed interest in establishing a Microsoft IT Academy at the DTU campus. The function was attended by around 600 students and faculty members of DTU including Prof. G.L. Verma, Dean, Academics and Prof. R.K. Sinha, Dean, IRD, among others. The Microsoft Day was organized by undergraduate students of DTU, Medhavin Goyal and members of his Web Development Team.

Blood Donation Camp
A Blood Donation camp was also organized at the University today in association with the Red Cross Society of India. An annual event at DTU, more than 300 students, faculty members and employees of the University came forward to donate blood on the occasion. According to Prof. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, DTU, "Donation has always been an essence of Indian culture and among all forms, blood donation is the best, since it can give a new lease of life to someone." All the donors were given refreshments and donor cards at the camp.