[/floatr]PC World: Microsoft Doubles Down on Links With Japanese Academia
Microsoft is looking to expand ties with Japanese universities and has unveiled a multi-million dollar long-term plan to deepen its research roots in the country. The "Mount Fuji Plan" got its start this week and builds on the software maker's Institute for Japanese Academic Research and Collaboration (IJARC) that was formed in 2005 by Bill Gates. It focuses on fundamental-level research projects. "The idea is to create a mechanism to foster research, support students and build relationships," said Rick Rashid, senior vice president of Microsoft, in an interview in Tokyo on Thursday. The IJARC allowed Microsoft to form links with professors and offer internship programs as a first step to collaboration with Japanese academia and was modestly successful, he said. "The Mount Fuji Plan doubles down on that," said Rashid. The project will be coordinated out of Microsoft Research Asia, the company's Asian research headquarters in Beijing...more...
