Thousands of university students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Microsoft’s Internet of Things higher education program, following the launch of a $40 million Global Innovation Exchange program.
Microsoft will fund the five-year Global Innovation Exchange program, involving the University of Washington in the US and Tsinghua University in China.
The GIX, to be based in Seattle, will open in 2016 and aims to attract 3,000 students by 2025, according to Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel.
The venture will debut with a 15-month-long engineering master degree targeting students to work on technology innovation related to connected devices.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, said: "Our commitment to GIX is grounded in our belief that technology can empower people to achieve more and help solve the world’s biggest challenges."
Cauce said: "Uniting students with faculty, professionals, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from a variety of disciplines will foster expansive thinking and better prepare a generation of leaders with a passion for discovery and the ability to be nimble."
Qiu Yong, TU President, said: "In the face of global challenges related to the environment, resources and health, we need to cooperate across national boundaries to find solutions.
"GIX creates an innovative education model that will facilitate international and interdisciplinary integration for technological innovations. It will be a multilateral open platform to cultivate young global leaders with technical talent, an entrepreneurial spirit, and social responsibility."
