all u ever wanted to know about MSP,its benefits and eligibility

Microsoft Student Partners
If you are passionate about technology and looking for a unique opportunity to share that talent, and if you are a good communicator, we are looking for you. Motivated non-final-year undergraduate and post graduate students from across India are invited to apply for the Microsoft Student Partner Program. In exchange for sharing your knowledge and participating in fun activities on your campus, you will get a whole host of benefits, the chance to connect to like-minded people and gain real-world experience to add to your resume. The program allows selected students to work along with professionals from Microsoft and to be a student representative for Microsoft on their college campus. It gives them access to the latest technology and an opportunity to explore and discover a whole new range of technologies. Plus, the best Student Partners also get the opportunity to apply for jobs at Microsoft.

Collaborate ... Innovate ... Celebrate - If this is what you want to do, then nominate yourself to apply for becoming a Microsoft Student Partner. For the nomination-form, eligibilty criteria, and other relevant information, please click the "Application Information" link at the bottom of this Web-page.

Overview of the Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) Program
Eligibility To consider applying for the MSP Program, you must be: · Over 18 years of age · A non-final-year graduate or post-graduate student at an MHRD-/AICTE-approved University/College · Studying a full-time course at the University/College (a referral from a faculty-member could add value)
Competencies A good MSP is one who has the following basic qualities: · Technical competencies o Passionate about software o Quick learner o Respected by peers · Community-building competencies o Enthusiastic about technology o High level of social activity, both online & offline o Can organize college and city-level events · Fundamental competencies o Passionate about Microsoft o Confident & outgoing o Good rapport with faculty o Willing to share knowledge & eager to uplift self and peers
Responsibilities Your short term goals will include: · Complete at least 1 MCP Certification within 3 months · Conduct at least 1 session per month in your College campus Clubs. · Participate and drive at least 50 entries in Imagine Cup 2009 · Promote Microsoft academic projects in campus · Maintain a blog Your long term goals will include: · Promote and build your city-level Microsoft Student User Group · Organize city-level events like Academic Developers’ Conference (DevCon) · Deploy &/or maintain Live@Edu · Sign up an eligible department for MSDN AA · Mentor other MSPs
Benefits As an MSP, a host of benefits are available: · Welcome kit (including invitation letter & visiting cards) · Exclusive MSP Boot-camps conducted by Microsoft · MSDN subscription · Rewards & Recognition for top performers · Networking opportunities · Technical training & resources · Microsoft events · Interactions with MVPs & Microsoft Employees · Internship opportunities at MS and partners · Recruitment opportunities at MS and partners
Selection Process The new MSP selection process which will
FAQs What/Who is a Microsoft Student Partner? A Microsoft Student Partner is an undergraduate student, usually from the school of Engineering, who has a passion for technology and who actively, participates in sharing knowledge among the academic community. Do I get paid to be a Microsoft Student Partner? Is this an internship at Microsoft? No. Though Microsoft Student Partners are as close as a student can get with Microsoft, this is NOT an internship NOR a program that is paid for by Microsoft. The program is a completely voluntary one, with only the shared interest and passion for the latest and the best technology keeps us going. What then, are my advantages in being a Microsoft Student Partner? As a Microsoft Student Partner, you get access to all Microsoft developer resources, first-hand information about our future product features (and yes, deadlines), training and of course, fame. More importantly, it is the ability to now do what you wanted to do for your academic community in your country or city, supported to whatever extent possible by Microsoft. So, you get to do what you want to and get support for it. You said something about an academic community. Is there a special forum run by Microsoft? No. Microsoft strictly does not "run" any user group or forum in cities across the country. Microsoft supports Microsoft technology related user groups in many cities in your country. This is the main workplace for a Microsoft Student Partner. As a Microsoft Student Partner, you run the user group in your city. Microsoft supports this user group with resources, speakers, and such for your group events. So, in my user group, I cannot discuss about GNU/Linux and other open source stuff? Of course you can. Microsoft does not restrict purposeful discussions on the latest in technology. Of course, though, we do not expect you to preach against our products and services. We sincerely want to enrich the large number of young scholars in your country who have the potential but have not realized it. Hmm, what do I do then, as a Microsoft Student Partner? It's simple, really. First up, do what you feel is good and most relevant and beneficial to your student community. We want you to show them the best practices followed in the software development industry, the Visual Studio suite of products, Windows Vista's secrets - beneath the glossy interface, Microsoft Office development, Windows Live API based development, gadgets, Microsoft Expression suite of software for designers, and more! How am I rewarded for my performances? If your performance has been excellent in the academic community, firstly you would be promoted to a Microsoft Student Partner Lead. This Microsoft Student Partner Lead is the integrating force for the rest of the Student Partners and has some special benefits. Most student partners get internships and awards, if not directly recruited into Microsoft. Does a Student Partner get to work with Microsoft in any activity? You bet. As a Microsoft Student Partner, any activity conducted and sponsored by Microsoft would have your inputs in it.