Microsoft and the Rajasthan Technical University (RTU) today signed an MOU on a 'Dreamspark' programme to provide software developer and designer tools free of cost to atleast ten lakh students in the state.

The MoU was signed between Microsoft's Head of Local Software Economy Phani Kondepudi and the RTU Vice Chancellor R P Yadav at Jaipur Engineering College and Research Centre's (JECRC) induction ceremony, in the presence of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

Speaking on the occasion Moorthy K Uppaluri, GM, Developer and Platform Evangelism, said DreamSpark aimed to provide students with access to the latest Microsoft developer and designer tools at no charge to unlock their creative potential and set them on the path to academic and career success.

The programme aimed to equip a new generatin of technology leaders with the knowledge and tools, they needed to harness the magic of software to improve lives, solve problems and spur economic growth, Uppaluri said.

Over ten lakh Students of RTU and University of Rajasthan, and affilitated colleges would be benefited with access to the tools under the MoU agreement, he said.

DreamSpark is a suite of the latest Microsoft software developer and designer tools, including Visual Studio 2005/2008/2010, Professional Edition, SQL Server 2008 Express.