Kolkata: Microsoft Corporation India Pvt Limited, subsidiary of US software giant Microsoft Corp, has signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Government for rolling out its Partners-in-Learning programme in the State.

After signing the MoU with the State IT department, managing director of Microsoft India Rajiv Kaul told reporters in Kolkata today (Nov 24, 2004) that the West Bengal was among first set of States where the project, entitled 'Shiksha' in India, had been chosen by the company to implement it.

The project was a part of Microsoft's worldwide programme where the company had earmarked an investment of US$ 250 million.

Kaul said that the West Bengal chapter involved setting up of an IT academy where nearly 12,000 teachers of Government and Government-aided schools would be trained at company expense over a period of five years.

Microsoft would roll out the programme in India in 10 other States in the next five years.

The company would spend almost Rs 90 crore for implementing the project in the State.

The MoU also entailed creation of localised IT curricula for students.