Chennai : In less than a week from now, thousands of charged up students in Tamil Nadu will get together at Dr. MGR University and SRM University in Chennai, to develop apps for the Windows platform. On February 26, more than 10,000 students from across the length and breadth of country will gear up to code applications for a whole day, at more than 50 hub centers like Dr. MGR University and SRM University in Chennai. The colleges are currently holding training sessions for students who wish to brush up their coding skills as they register. On the day of the AppFest, the young developers will code under the supervision of Microsoft mentors, trainers and Microsoft Student Partners (MSPs), and submit theapponline – an opportunity to make it available on the Windows Store after due diligence.

“On one hand, the trends in the IT space have evolved over the past few years, creating greater opportunities for students and budding developers. On the other, the global youth unemployment rate is currently at 12.7 percent[i]— double the overall unemployment rate. These two things clearly indicate a gap in demand and supply – and the obvious answer: Given the right skills and training, there is lot young technology students can achieve today. This is exactly what we are trying to do: bring together the opportunity and those who can utilize it” Pratima Amonkar, Director Strategic Audience Marketing said. “Obviously students recognize the opportunity, going by the enthusiastic response we have received across India so far”, she added.

Microsoft will provide students at each of the hubs with free software such as Visual Studio Express for Windows 8, and with free Windows Store registration codes through Microsoft DreamSpark. The focus will be on broad-based consumer applications, incorporating education, games, apps for social good etc. In addition to submitting the apps for evaluation for a chance to get on the Microsoft Store, the training and experience received via this program will boost the students’ employability, and create a more capable developer ecosystem in the country.