Microsoft on Thursday announced the availability of Office 365 for Education to educational institutes at no cost.
Office 365 for Education is a cloud-based suite that includes Microsoft Office desktop applications, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Lync Online.
It would provide educators with tools to create anytime, anywhere learning opportunities across multiple devices in addition to email, calendars, Microsoft Office Web Apps (Online Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote), video and online meetings plus advanced document creation features for curriculum planning and student projects.
“Getting the technology in the hands of our students and teachers is critical to improving educational outcomes and making sure students are prepared for college and career,” Mr Anthony Salcito, Vice-President of Worldwide Education, Microsoft, said.
This is part of the company's global launch, including India.
The largest worldwide adoption of Microsoft Office 365 for Education is by the All India Council for Technical Education.
AICTE decided to move all of its 10,000-plus colleges on Office 365 for Education earlier this year, and the deployment is currently under way.