Microsoft introduces Cloud Skills Challenge with 10 universities in the country

Sri Lankan undergraduates recently participated in the Cloud Skills Challenge (CSC) as part of their professional development. The CSC impacted their professional development while opening the door for them to explore new skills, platforms, and career opportunities.

The CSC is a training experience where learners can follow pre-determined course paths that link Microsoft Learn modules based on their topics, like Azure fundamentals, machine learning, or Power Platform. 

Microsoft Learn provides a free, interactive way of learning by combining short step-by-step tutorials, browser-based interactive coding and scripting environments, and task-based achievements to help you advance your technical skills while earning achievements.

“Combining Microsoft Learn with the CSC will help the students build their skillsets in a meaningful way and expanded their desire to learn more about related Microsoft technology,” said Microsoft Sri Lanka and Maldives Country Manager Hasitha Abeywardena. “Most importantly, it will allow them to learn on their own schedules. The CSC, as an accessory to Microsoft Learn, is free of charge and open to developers. We are glad to be a part of the journey in helping the workforce of the future, transform through sustainable skilling initiatives that aim to produce a more inclusive digital economy.”

The combination of the gamified learning elements and guided paths built on top of the flexible Microsoft Learn modules allowed students to skill at their own pace, but with fun objectives and logical learning paths. To date, over 26,517 modules have been completed by 1,199 students from Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), University of Kelaniya, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, University of Ruhuna, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, NSBM Green University, University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and University of Peradeniya.

More importantly, the CSC will leverage certification and competition to drive skilling. Completing a module earns students points that are measured on a leaderboard. Successful completion of learning paths provides students with badges and certifications on the associated Microsoft product, while top performers will get a free voucher for the AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification.

Microsoft will organise a series of knowledge sharing sessions conducted by Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) for the top performers to increase the certification pass rate.