SINGAPORE -- Oct. 13, 2004 -- Microsoft Singapore and Charles Sturt University, Australia's 8th largest public university and leading supplier of distance learning, announced today that they will bring the university's IT Masters programmes to Singapore.
Previously only available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, this unique series of distance learning programmes will provide Singapore's IT professionals with a fully accredited Masters Degree that includes Microsoft's premier industry certifications as an integral component.
All graduates will gain a Masters level university qualification from Charles Sturt University as well as certifications such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer: Security (MCSE:Security). The MCSD is Microsoft's premier certification for advanced developers who design and develop leading-edge enterprise solutions using Microsoft development tools and technologies as well as the Microsoft .NET Framework.
The programme comprises four Masters Degrees, namely: Master of Networking and Systems Administration (MNSA); Master of Systems Development (MSD); Master of Information Systems Security (MISS) and Master of Management (Information Technology) (MMIT). In order to be eligible to graduate, all participants will be required to pass the required university Subjects plus attain a premier industry certification such as the Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
"As the Singapore economy is heavily dependent on the skills of its workforce, it is important for the country's IT professionals to constantly upgrade their skills," said Andy Zupsic, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore. "By bringing the internationally recognised IT Masters Programme to Singapore, Microsoft is helping Singapore's professionals maintain their present and future competitive edge in the global marketplace."
"These Masters degrees are open to all IT professionals in Singapore who meet the entrance requirements," said Dr Irfan Altas, Sub Dean, IT Industry Partnerships at Charles Sturt University. "Applicants will generally be expected to have a degree in any discipline and at least two years experience in the IT industry. Applicants without an undergraduate degree wishing to be considered for admission into the Master of Systems Development will need to have at least four years of experience in the IT industry as a senior Systems Analyst or in a position developing complex systems. Students will need to pass or be awarded credit for a total of 12 subjects to graduate," said Dr Altas.
Students will have the choice of studying for their Microsoft industry certifications either via distance education or with Avantus Training Pte Ltd, one of Singapore's leading training centres for IT professionals. "This programme reinforces our mission in ensuring that every one of the professionals we train, support, and certify annually becomes successful and competitive. Having Masters tied with the industrial certifications, the modules are practical and at the same time well-rounded," said Mr KC Low, CEO of Avantus Training Pte Ltd. "The students will not only be technically equipped but also theoretically knowledgeable hence the programme will be able to open up more opportunities to all our students," said Mr Low.
The courses will start in January 2005 and will require two years to complete. All of the Masters Degrees are fully accredited under the Australian Government Qualifications Framework.
Singaporean IT professionals attending this course will be joining a community of over 35,000 students studying remotely in over 28 countries. Enrolment has started and will end on Friday, 15th November 2004. For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/singapore/technet, www.csu.edu.au or www.avantustraining.com/itmasters
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.
About Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University is the eighth largest of Australia's 37 public universities and the largest distance education provider in Australia, providing significant educational, social, cultural and economic benefits to its regions. The university has earned a reputation for working hand-in-hand with business, the professions and government to provide courses and advice to meet the demands of a changing workforce and changing times. CSU's partnerships and alliances are marked by a diversity and drive that make it distinctive from other universities in Australia.
About Avantus Training Pte Ltd
Avantus is established with the primary protocol of being recognised for our ability to be a life-long training partner and mentor for every individual. It is formed by a visionary league of dynamic management team with manifold strength and chest of experiences in the training industry.
The corporate culture focuses on the acquisition, retention and sharing of IT knowledge as the engine of success for our services. Striving to build its reputation on ensuring that every one of the professionals they train, support, and certify annually gets the personalized attention and support needed to be successful and competitive.
Besides the state of the art facilities and service excellence - Avantus winning formulae is its trainers who bring their vast experiences into the classroom. This together with their ability to engage proactively with the Microsoft team to drive synergistic programs resulted in them being awarded the following awards in August 2004 - CPLS of the Year 2004, Marketing Excellence of the Year 2004 & Partner of the Year 2004.
You can find out more about Avantus Training at http://www.AvantusTraining.com
For more information, press only:
Ong Seow Chong
Upstream Asia
Tel: (65) 6323 7377
Mobile: (65) 9761 9835
Email: chong@upstreamasia.com
Martin Hale
IT Masters
DID (61) 3 9515 3870
Mobile: (61) 419 322 844
Email: martin.hale@itmasters.com.au
Sukhdev S
Avantus Training Pte Ltd
DID : (65) 6416 3070
Mobile : (65) 94551229
Email : sukhdev@AvantusTraining.com
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About The Masters Courses by Charles Sturt University and Microsoft
Master of Networking and Systems Administration (MNSA)
University Subjects: -
ITC511: Networking Concepts 1
ITC512: Networking Concepts 2
ITC513: Wireless Networking Concepts
ITC514: Network and Security Administration
ITC506: Topics in IT Ethics
ITC593: Network Security
Industry Based Subjects: -
ITI555: Operating System Essentials
ITI556: Supporting a Network Infrastructure (I)
ITI557: Supporting a Network Infrastructure (II)
ITI558: Active Directory Infrastructure
ITI559: Designing Active directories and Network Infrastructure
ITI516: Administering a SQL Server
Master of Systems Development (MSD)
University Subjects: -
ITC505: Systems Development Project Management
ITC563: IT Management Issues
ITC506: Topics in IT Ethics
ITC442: Object Modeling
Elective Subjects (choose 2 Subjects from the 5 listed)
ITC443: Database Management
ITC514: Network and Security Administration
ITC566: Human Computer Usability
ITC593: Network Security
ITC565: Business Application Development
Industry Based Subjects: -
ITI561: Developing Web Applications
ITI562: Programming with Microsoft Languages
ITI563: Developing XML Web Services
ITI564: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures
ITI565: Developing and Deploying Solution
ITI566: Industry Challenge
Master of Information Systems Security (MISS)
University Subjects: -
ITC596: IT Risk Management
ITC593: Network Security
ITC506: Topics in IT Ethics
ITC595: Information Security
Elective Subjects (choose 2 Subjects)
ITC443: Database Management
ITC505: Systems Development Project Management
ITC514: Network and Security Administration
ITC563: IT Management Issues
ITC566: Human Computer Useability
Industry Based Subjects: -
ITI555: Operating System Essentials
ITI556: Supporting a Network Infrastructure (I)
ITI557: Supporting a Network Infrastructure (II)
ITI558: Active Directory Infrastructure
ITI553: Designing a Secure Distributed Network
ITI581: Network Security Fundamentals
Master of Management - Information Technology (MMIT)
MCSE 2003 Stream
University Subjects: -
MGT571: Contemporary Management Practice
HRM571: Managing People in the Information Age
MGT573: Strategic Practice
MKT571: Marketing for IT Managers
FIN571: Managerial Finance
MGT572: Managing Organisational Change
Industry Based Subjects - MCSE Stream: -
ITI555: Operating System Essentials
ITI556: Supporting a Network Infrastructure (I)
ITI557: Supporting a Network Infrastructure (II)
ITI558: Active Directory Infrastructure
ITI559: Designing Active directories and Network Infrastructure
ITI516: Administering a SQL Server
Industry Based Subjects - MCSD Stream: -
ITI561: Developing Web Applications
ITI562: Programming with Microsoft Languages
ITI563: Developing XML Web Services
ITI564: Analyzing Requirements and Defining Solution Architectures
ITI565: Developing and Deploying Solution
ITI566: Industry Challenge