Ten Major European Universities Join Microsoft Windows Embedded Academic Program

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 16, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that computer science and engineering departments at 10 European universities have joined the Windows®
Embedded Academic Program (WEMAP). In addition, WEMAP now includes two new European research consortiums focusing on the development of Mobile IPv6 and ad hoc networking as well as three individual research projects.

WEMAP also includes the Microsoft®
Windows Embedded Academic Curriculum License, which allows the creation of customized teaching material. The license also gives universities access to 1.5 million lines of Windows CE .NET source code.

European universities that have joined WEMAP since its launch in October 2001 and are currently conducting research and curriculum projects include the following:

  • Research and curriculum. Lancaster University, IPv6

  • Research only. Free University of Berlin, ad hoc networking; Technical University of Berlin, ad hoc networking; Technical University of Munich, ad hoc networking and security services in Windows CE .NET; Trinity College Dublin, IPv6; University College London, IPv6; University of Cambridge, mobile computing, wireless networks and security; Politecnico di Torino, security services in Windows CE .NET

  • Curriculum only. Heriot-Watt University; Southampton University

Building on the success of WEMAP, Microsoft is continuing its commitment to academic partnerships in Europe.

“Our collaboration with leading universities is a great example of the growing interest in Windows Embedded platforms within the academic community,”
said Hardy Poppinga, EMEA product manager for the Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group (EAPG) at Microsoft.
“Windows CE .NET provides a rich platform for curricula and advanced research projects, particularly in the area of mobile devices.”

Since the program’s inception, Microsoft has worked with two successful research consortiums, one focusing on Mobile IPv6 and the second on ad hoc networking:

  • Mobile IPv6. Collaborative research by a consortium of three European universities — Lancaster University, University College London and Trinity College Dublin –focuses on the development of Mobile IPv6 and how increasing usage of mobile devices affects wireless networks and ubiquitous computing in personal, educational and professional environments.

“It has been great to work with an enthusiastic and supportive group like the Windows CE .NET team,”
said Dr. Andrew Scott, senior lecturer at Lancaster University.
“I’ve been impressed, not just by the effort the group put into ensuring we had the right code and development tools, but also by how open they have been to discussing problems and new ideas with Ph.D. students. It has been a true partnership.”

  • Ad hoc networking. Collaborative research by a consortium of three universities in Germany — Technical University of Munich, Technical University of Berlin and Free University of Berlin — focuses on advanced techniques for ensuring network applications and wireless devices are always available without connectivity drops due to a user’s transitory location.

“Working with Microsoft has proven to be very valuable to our research in networking and in particular with embedded devices,”
said Jochen Schiller, professor at Free University Berlin.
“Windows CE .NET is an excellent research and teaching platform, and everyone in the consortium has been very pleased with the support and encouragement we have received from Microsoft. It has helped our research immensely.”

Individual research projects included in WEMAP are being conducted by Technical University of Munich for security services in Windows CE .NET; University of Cambridge for mobile computing, wireless networks and security; and Politecnico di Torino for security services in Windows CE .NET.

WEMAP allows universities accredited for two to four years to develop academic program curricula and teaching materials that may incorporate Windows Embedded technologies and more than 1.5 million lines of Windows CE .NET source code. WEMAP also enables academics to use and modify Windows CE .NET and Windows XP Embedded predeveloped curriculum and training materials for noncommercial purposes. European curriculum licensees include Lancaster University, Southampton University and Heriot-Watt University.

WEMAP also offers students and professors development tools and support to aid research and curriculum development in academia. Through source code integration and modular, predeveloped curricula for Windows XP Embedded and Windows CE .NET, Microsoft is aiding the creation of projects and programs that extend the classroom experience to real-world applications. Professors and students enrolled in WEMAP are given advance notice of community activities and discounts to conferences.

More information about the Windows Embedded Academic Program is available online at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/embedded/ce.net/evaluation/offers/academic.asp .

About the Microsoft Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group

The Microsoft Embedded and Appliance Platforms Group delivers the Windows Embedded operating systems and tools, which are comprehensive software platforms for building the next generation of intelligent, 32-bit connected Windows Powered devices that demand rich applications and Internet services. In addition, Microsoft offers a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of Windows Embedded customers, industry partners and developers. Windows Embedded operating systems currently shipping include Windows CE .NET and Windows XP Embedded, as well as the Server Appliance Kit for Windows 2000. The EAPG is also working on a new device category, Windows Powered Smart Displays, that will extend the Windows XP experience throughout the home. Those interested in partnering with EAPG may contact mailto:[email protected] .

About Microsoft

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