Microsoft hunts for Indian talent

BANGALORE: Microsoft chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates today launched 'Code 4 Bill', a nationwide talent hunt to identify India's best student technologists.

The contest will provide 20 students with an opportunity to intern with the software major at its India office. The best among the participants would get to join Gates' Technical Assistants' team for a year.

The contest is for pre-final and final year students pursuing various technical streams across India. The registration for the contest will commence next month.

According to Microsoft, India is the first country where students "get this opportunity to learn cutting edge product development and innovations that are powering the world by working directly with Microsoft's Product Development and Research teams".

Referring to India's technical prowess, Gates said: "Talent is what powers the success of the global IT economy today. Indian students are setting high standards in the industry. Its very important for India to maintain this edge, and continue to nurture and develop students so they can drive India's progress as an IT leader".

The company said that the contest will comprise various stages and spread over the next eight months. It will test technical and analytical skills through different challenges, including in-depth face-to-face interviews with technical teams.

At the event, "Bill Gates Live in Bangalore - Ready 2005" at the Palace grounds, Gates showcased the company's new generation of application platform SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005 and BizTalk Server 2006; the first two were launched worldwide last month.

"Businesses today rely on Information Technology to make them more competitive. Our goal is to empower our customers with products that help connect people to processes and information on a trusted platform -- faster than ever before", he said.