Microsoft qualification on course

Students going to the UK's universities, further education colleges and TECs will soon be able to study a new discipline - a 'degree' in Microsoft.

Called the Authorised Academic Training Programme (AATP), academic institutions in the UK can now apply for authorisation to deliver commercial technical training which will lead to Microsoft certified professional status, the company said last week

'We welcome the AATP initiative. Universities have an important role in ensuring that their staff and students are provided with every opportunity to benefit from the latest technology. Certification and training will give them the knowledge and recognition they require,' said David Harrison, member of the Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association.

Mark East, Microsoft's education group marketing manager, said today's students are the business leaders of tomorrow. He added that more and more businesses include vendor certification in their hiring decisions and the AATP scheme is an effort to address this requirement.

But other industry watchers are less than enthusiastic. One source claimed students should be taught a broad range of disciplines. Although Microsoft skills are in great demand and keenly sought in business, standardisation often impedes innovation, the source said.