Staff Techdrunk 
Bill Gates has come up with launch of the DreamSpark program for all technical students in India.
Microsoft DreamSpark is a program that provides no-cost access to Microsoft designer and development tools for verified students around the world, to support and advance their learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities. This program equips tomorrow’s developers with the professional tools to inspire and create today. – Microsoft (http://www.dreamsparkindia.com/dreamspark/FAQ.aspx)
The software suite includes: Windows Server
- Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
- Expression Studio
- SQL Server 2005
- Windows Server 2003
- Virtual PC and more.
- Just walk into any NIIT or Aptech training institute and show your college identity card to get free DVDs.
Microsoft said at the time that the company was providing professional-level tools hoping to “inspire students to explore the power of software and encourage them to forge the next wave of software-driven breakthroughs.”
“We want to do everything we can to equip a new generation of technology leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to harness the magic of software to improve lives, solve problems and catalyze economic growth,” Gates said. “Microsoft DreamSpark provides professional-level tools that we hope will inspire students to explore the power of software and encourage them to forge the next wave of software-driven breakthroughs.”
“The opportunity, as a student, to use the same professional tools that I can expect to use after I graduate gives me a real head start in my career,” said Nathan Murith, a computer science student at the University of Geneva in Switzerland, who tested the service in a pilot before today’s launch. “I’m already getting more out of my studies, applying my learning to try out new ideas, and gaining new insights into careers in software design and development.” he further added.
Both undergraduates and graduate students will be able to receive free software from Microsoft. And if they have a high bandwidth connection, they can even download the software online from dreamsparkindia.com.
Microsoft DreamSpark will be expanded so that it can include high school students in the year 2009 as well.
