Microsoft student partners are students in tertiary institutions with a passion for technology and want to share their deep knowledge with their fellow students, lead and mentor the next generation of software developers.
If you and want to represent Microsoft and are a tertiary student with a passion for technology and a desire to share with your peers, Microsoft is currently recruiting people for the Microsoft Student Partners Program in Ghana.
We are looking for tertiary students with a passion for technology and a desire to share that passion with other students on their campus. Students in universities or colleges in Ghana will have the great opportunity to become part of an amazing community.
As a Microsoft Student Partner here are some of the activities you’ll be involved in and stuffs you’ll gain as benefits.
You’ll be informed about the latest Microsoft technologies
You will acquire the tools and training to lead technology discussions on your campus
You will demonstrate the newest technologies, host tech events, and connect with like-minded students and faculty
You will lead the Microsoft Student Community at your campus
You will work closely with Microsoft and the other MSPs, and build and important network of contacts
You will get a proof of your MSP participation that can be used when you apply for work
You will receive tools, training, and networking opportunities so you can develop and refine the skills you need to jump-start your career
You will experience DREAMSPARK!
Applications are currently opened, so register now to be a member of Microsoft Student Partners Ghana in your institution.
Here are the requirements;
Be fully enrolled in an accredited tertiary institution
Have a passion for technology and the need to share that passion
Windows 10 OS will be available on the 29th July 2015
Microsoft Operating System chief’s Terry and Joe have mentioned by a blog and twitter post respectively the availability date of Windows 10. We’ve known from earlier conferences like Build, that the OS was going to be available during the summer but that was without a definite date. The OS will be officially released on Wednesday 29th July 2015 through windows update.
July 29 is the date! Windows 10 for all! Tell friends & family: RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW to get it on day 1! http://t.co/jGSloJDZkM
To hear Cortana tell you about the availability date just ask her from your phone, below is a recorded version if you don’t have a windows phone or pc.
There is also a video highlighting the release date and some exciting windows 10 features.
Terry Myerson talks about how windows 10 is almost very polished to be released to the public.
He also mentioned “You can reserve your free Windows 10 upgrade now through a simple reservation process. Look for this icon {in the picture below} in your system tray at the bottom of your screen, simply click on the icon, and then complete the reservation process”.
Here’s how to reserve your upgrade;
Click on the small Windows icon found at the right end of the taskbar.
Click “Reserve your free upgrade” in the app window.
Enter your email if you want a confirmation of this reservation.
All set. There’s no obligation and you can cancel your reservation at any time.
You’ll get a notification when your upgrade is ready later this year. This lets you schedule the installation for a time that’s convenient.
Derek sees significant potential in Ghana’s young population and is excited that Microsoft has a presence in the country to help unlock this potential.
Derek Appiah, new country manager for Microsoft Corporation in Ghana holds both an engineering and MBA degree. He’s gained over 20 years of experience in various fields; research, technology, product development, marketing, sales and management with various organizations; he’s worked in the UK as the general manager, new business development for BT, worked as a chief enterprise solutions officer at MTN, Nigeria. Derek has also been an independent IT and Telecoms consultant to telcos in UAE, New Zealand, Qatar and Ireland. He worked with Vodafone Ghana as a Vodafone business solutions director & previous CEO of Logiciel Ghana Ltd., currently a non executive director.
“What I really enjoy about working in emerging markets is that you can make a big impact quickly; it’s possible to contribute to the ecosystem in a very real way.”
Appiah’s goal as Country Manager will be to help the company have a more active role in Ghana and add more value now that it has offices in the country and a 100% Ghanaian staff complement. He aims to make a significant impact on Ghana’s development,
“I believe there is enormous potential for technology to change lives in the emerging world, so this is an opportunity to make a big impact using Microsoft to enable productivity for businesses, government and consumers,”
A key area Derek will be focusing is developing youth employability skills, which he believes will help to develop Ghana’s business ecosystem.
“What I love most about Ghana is its young and vibrant population,
They are peace-loving and punch above their weight intellectually, making them the perfect candidates to take the country forward if they can acquire the necessary skills.
This is not about charity but rather about creating a value exchange between citizens, industry and government. Young people are an asset to our society, and even more so if they are adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to create a brighter future for themselves and for Ghana.”
Microsoft’s mobile devices have been gaining a lot of love and attention in Africa, Europe, South America and India and this shouldn’t come as a surprise as Microsoft is building device at all levels.
The introduction of the mid range level budget friendly and low cost devices like the Lumia 520, 530, 535, 630 and 635 have seen significant rise in usage of smartphones by consumers. The mid range devices such as the Lumia 730, 830 and 1320 also give flexibity in pricing to it’s targeted audience. The mobile penetration in Africa is on the rise and as more people seek to connect and share they find the Lumia brand attractive and within their budget range.
Microsoft Ghana’s mobile device business manager Mr. Kola Osinowo said recently in his expression of gratitude to Ghanaians that Ghana is among the top most 20 user countries of the Lumia devices in the world.
I believe recent campaigns and promotions such as the #Makeithappen promo increased awareness on the productivity and range of the Lumia handsets.
Microsoft to Produce Affordable Windows Phones for Africa.
Africa is noted to be one of the most rapidly growing technology markets in the world. Microsoft wants to invest in the growth on the continent with it’s services and hardware. Microsoft introduced the 4Afrika initiative and planned with the project to help place tens of millions of smart devices in the hands of African youths. Also to bring 1 million African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) online.
At Microsoft, we view the African continent as a game-changer in the global economy. We believe deeply in the potential of technology to change Africa. We equally believe in the potential of Africa to change technology for the world.
Microsoft partnered with Huawei sometime in 2013 to produce the Huawei 4Afrika handsets in Africa. Microsoft’s goal with the 4Afrika handsets was to leverage technology to actively engage Africa’s economic development and to improve its global competitiveness whilst the 4Afrika initiative itself will develop apps and services specific to the region.
The partnership didn’t last as Huawei in August 2014, decided to put the program on hold. Richard Yu, head of Huawei’s consumer business group, said “It wasn’t profitable for us. We were losing money for two years on those phones. So for now we’ve decided to put any releases of new Windows phones on hold”.
Microsoft seems to have revived this plan by deciding to produce affordable Microsoft branded Windows Phones for Africa. Fernando de Sousa, Microsoft general manager for Africa Initiatives in an interview with Bloomberg writer Ekow Dontoh (Read more here Bloomberg)in Accra said;
“Microsoft is working with technology partners based in Shenzhen, China, and plans to introduce $75 to $100 smartphones this year. It will be a global launch,”. “Africa will lead in the consumption. Africa is growing smartphone use faster than anywhere in the world.”
Affordable Windows Phones for Africa Specification
Although details of the phone haven’t been made public, it will definitely be in the class of the recently announced Lumia 435, 532 and 535. With a 4″ or 4.5″ display, 1.2GHz dual core processor, 1GB of RAM size. 8GB storage with expandable MicroSD card support, battery size of 1500mAh, 3.5G network, loaded with Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim or windows 10 (depending on when the device will be available to ship) and will come in various colors. The 4Afrika logo could also be featured but since it’s expected to be a global launch it might be left out.
