LIMKOKWING UNIVERSITY OF CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY ADOPTS MICROSOFT’S EXPRESSION STUDIO 2

Microsoft and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology agree to use latest software in training facility

Cyberjaya, 6 June 2008 --- Microsoft Malaysia (Microsoft) and Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) - the leading academic institution in creative technology, arts and communications, today announced the first step in a collaboration in which Microsoft’s latest version of its professional design software, Expression Studio 2, will be used in LUCT's training facility.

In conjunction with ReMIX Essential 2008 held at LUCT's campus in Cyberjaya and, as a prelude to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) slated to be signed by LUCT and Microsoft (of which the terms are being finalised), a symbolic gambit was organised to signify an agreement between LUCT and Microsoft with regards to the collaboration.

LUCT will be using Microsoft's latest suite of professional design tools, Expression Studio 2, in the training facilities, while Microsoft will invest in personnel to train LUCT staffs and lecturers on the use of Expression Studio 2. At this event, the faculty and students will have an opportunity to learn from Microsoft’s experts on the latest designer technologies.

“The release of Expression Studio 2 goes hand-in-hand with the latest platform releases such as Silverlight and Windows Presentation Foundation and is a very exciting milestone for the industry,” said Tang Siak Kwan, Product Manager for Expression Studio at Microsoft Malaysia.

He continued, “Great user experience is at the heart and soul of our Expression family of tools and is fundamental to enabling developers and designers to collaborate on building and delivering dynamic, connected applications that help customers achieve results.

"At Limkokwing, we continue to strive in updating our lecturers’ knowledge and expertise and help them impart the latest technology and software applications for the benefit of our students," senior vice president of Academic Development Professor Datuk Parid Wardi said.

He continued, "The collaboration between Limkokwing and Microsoft shows LUCT's commitment towards educational excellence, and towards providing the latest and most relevant technology and software, which could be utilised in a globalised environment.

Launched by Microsoft Corporation earlier this month in the United States, the Expression Studio 2 software suite, for professional designers who want to build Web and Windows client applications and rich media content, comprise of Expression Web, Expression Blend, Expression Design, Expression Media and Expression Encoder and works seamlessly with Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2008, solving the age-old designer and developer workflow challenge. The innovations in XAML allow for unprecedented developer-designer collaboration for the creation of both standards-based and Silverlight-enhanced Web experiences as well as Windows Vista and .NET Framework 3.5 client applications.

The collaboration between LUCT and Microsoft will not only benefit lecturers and students as they are now empowered with the latest software in the web and media design industry, but creative professionals as well, as Expression Studio 2 is able to accelerate time to market, minimise the use of resource and improve ROI for new projects.

In conjunction with the event and ReMIX Essential 2008, speakers from Microsoft Corporation were invited to speak on the latest development. They include Angus Logan (Senior Technical Product Manager, Windows Live Platform), Arturo Toledo (Designer Readiness Product Manager), Rohan Thomas (Web Platform and UX Technology Advisor) and Leon Brown (User Experience and Designer Regional Marketing Manager for Asia Pacific, India and Greater China).

ReMIX Essential 2008 is a platform on which the latest technologies for designers such as Silverlight 2 and Windows Presentation Foundation are shared. It is also organised to encourage exchanges of ideas between Microsoft and the designer community, while providing an opportunity for designers to garner hands-on experience on the Expression Studio suite of products.

A full overview of the features in the Expression Studio software is available at http://microsoft.com/expression/features