Microsoft (MSFT) has launched the Microsoft IT Academy program in China to help college students master advanced IT technologies to fill the talent gap for the rapid development of China's information industry.

The Microsoft IT Academy program enables academic learning institutions to connect the world of education to the world of work by enabling faculty and students to acquire new technology skills in an academic setting. Microsoft IT Academies benefit from world-class Microsoft curriculum and cutting-edge software tools to experience real-world challenges in the classroom environment.

Zhang Hongjiang, the vice president of Microsoft China R&D Group and the managing director of Advanced Technology Center, stated at the opening ceremony that training and reserve of IT talents are essential to local information industry and a healthy IT ecosystem. Microsoft is delighted to work with Chinese colleges and universities offering world-class technology courses and abundant learning resources to help Chinese students possess practical skills. Besides, Microsoft will offer a series of marketing resources such as the trademark license of Microsoft IT Academy and the marketing toolkits.

The Software School of Beijing Institute of Technology; Chengdu College of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China; Information Technology College of Fujian Normal University; Software College of Quanzhou Normal University; and Hunan College of Information are the first five colleges involved in the program.

Microsoft will promote the program in China's colleges together with its program partner ATA.