The University's Faculty of ICT has teamed up with Microsoft Malta to offer a course entitled Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: Windows Development to undergraduates over a period of nine months under the IT Academy programme.

ICT Faculty dean Ernest Cachia introduced the course to prospective students, together with Karl Davies-Barrett, developer platform evangelist at Microsoft Malta, Faculty senior lecturer John Abela, and Natasa Pantovic, head of Business Development at Crimsonwing Plc, a Microsoft gold partner.

"A Microsoft certification adds value to an ICT degree and will definitely contribute to any individual's curriculum vitae, by proving both technical knowledge and real-world experience," said Davies-Barrett.

Ms Pantovic said teaching students how to apply the knowledge they gain in class through hands-on job oriented training empowers students to embark in a successful ICT career. "Microsoft's vendor certification makes students more employable," she added.

In 2007, Microsoft Malta set up a Microsoft Dynamics lab at the University equipped with Microsoft Dynamics products and has provided students access to a wealth of information and specialised courses and events. Last October, Microsoft Malta held a four-day training event at the lab as part of the Microsoft Dynamics Academic Alliance and People Readiness programme. Themed 'Introduction to ERP and Dynamics NAV', the course was designed by Crimsonwing plc, and presented by Karen Theuma, Microsoft Nav consultant for Crimsonwing.

"We received an overwhelming response from students on Microsoft's ERP and Dynamics NAV course. We are already planning to hold additional training sessions in the near future to meet the demand," said Davies-Barrett.