Introducing the 2023 Azure Microsoft Training and Certification Scholarship

2023 Azure scholarship banner

Amid a rapidly changing world of work, certification programs from technology companies such as Microsoft are highly relevant. Skilling and upskilling opportunities are key for economic security, career growth, and business development. Women in Cloud is teaming up with Microsoft and Coursera to introduce 250 new scholarships for all learners. WIC and Microsoft’s Azure scholarships will focus on AI and cybersecurity to meet the developing needs of the tech industry. 

 

There are currently 3.4 million cybersecurity jobs that need to be filled across the globe. WIC and Microsoft are aiming to bridge that gap by promoting a free scholarship opportunity and supporting diversity in tech. The scholarship is available to all genders and all regions around the world with an emphasis on supporting women and other marginalized people as they start (or continue) their journey in tech. Current research shows that women only make up approximately 24% of the cybersecurity workforce this underrepresentation increases the labor shortage, and this shortage increases digital threats on companies who do not have a large enough team to deal with adapting cybersecurity threats. 

 

WIC, with input from Microsoft and Coursera, has decided that along with cybersecurity, AI training for the WIC community is essential. This focus is important because of the growing influence of AI. Businesses are looking to automate some processes with AI to help with the talent shortage while also still benefiting their employees. With some basic systems relying on AI, employees would be able to spend more time innovating, training costs and time would be reduced, and future employees from “nontraditional” backgrounds could be more easily identified.   

 

“At Women in Cloud, our mission is to empower every member of our community to build technical, business, and leadership capacity to thrive in the $7 Trillion Cloud and AI Ecosystem,” said Chaitra Vedullapalli, President and Co-Founder of WIC. “This includes expanding access to training and skilling opportunities for women to excel in the ever-changing technology landscape.”

 

The curriculum, provided by Microsoft and Coursera, will begin in July 2023 with Azure AI Fundamentals and will grow to include Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate and Microsoft Power BI Developer/Analyst Professional Certificate after they are released on Coursera’s platform in early and late summer 2023. Furthermore, scholarship students can work directly with the WIC team to access any Microsoft specialization or professional certification program available on the Coursera platform. There will be 2,000 Microsoft certification vouchers available for scholarship recipients who complete a full Microsoft specialization or professional certificate through the scholarship program.

/by

Women in Cloud and Teradata Corporation Join Forces to Host #WICxInspire2023: Cloud B2B Partnerships Summit

Join us at #WICxInspire2023: Cloud B2B Partnerships Summit where women B2B SaaS founders, CEOs, and cloud tech leaders come together to unlock B2B Opportunities and build Customer-First GTM Strategies Leveraging Marketplaces.

 

Collaborate with industry leaders, attend interactive workshops, and network with like-minded individuals to elevate your business. Don’t miss out on this chance to shape the future of B2B partnerships in the tech industry. Register now and be part of this unique opportunity to take your business to the next level. In addition, be part of the celebration of icons and role models at #empowHERaccess 2023 Awards ceremony.

 

 #WICxInspire2023 is designed to empower women tech founders and cloud channel companies to build game-changing B2B partnerships that create new customer demand and opportunities, driving innovation in the tech industry.

 

“At Teradata, we understand that collaboration is the key to wide-scale growth and success in today’s complex tech landscape,” said Jacqueline Woods, Chief Marketing Officer of Teradata. “In fact, we pride ourselves on our partner-centric approach, so we are delighted to work with Women in Cloud to present #WICxInspire2023. Promoting the importance of like-minded B2B partnerships is critical to enabling growth throughout the cloud tech industry.”

 

Despite women making up only one-third of B2B sales jobs, research shows that they often outperform their male counterparts. In fact, a recent survey by Xactly, a SaaS-based solution provider, found that 86% of women surveyed achieved their sales quota, compared to 78% of men. This highlights the importance of creating opportunities for women to establish B2B partnerships in the tech industry.

 

“Women tech entrepreneurs are currently represented at only 2% in the enterprise digital transformation,” shared Chaitra Vedullapalli, President of Women in Cloud, she continued, “If women are given a platform to establish game-changing B2B partnerships, it will significantly impact and develop innovative SAAS solutions, create jobs, and significantly impact global GDP.”

 

Set to take place on July 20, 2023, this Flagship event gives attendees a unique opportunity to network via virtual summit with like-minded individuals including SaaS Founders, CEOs, and Cloud channel companies to build new connections, share insights and experiences, and create innovative B2B partnerships that drive growth and success.

 

The agenda includes:

  • Opening Remarks & Teradata with Nancy Watt as our EMCEE and Andrea Onilude from Teradata
  • Keynote: Decoding Digital: Building Game-Changing Partnerships for the Future (Recorded Session) – by John Datan, SVP and General Manager at Insight
  • CXO Panel1: The Future of Cloud B2B Partnerships: Trends and Predictions – Kristen Miller as a Moderator and the Panelists: AnneMarie Dev, Robin Liebowitz and Anu Mohan
  • #Cloud GTM: Insights from Cosell Market Research & Key Takeaways with Chaitra Vedullapalli and Chip Rodgers
  • CXO Panel2: Navigating the Complexities of Cloud B2B Partnerships: Best Practices and Lessons Learned – Karen Fassio as a moderator and the panelists: Allison Mcfadden and Kate Mayer
  • #CloudFounder Bootcamp: Strategies secure GTM Funding for generating joint customer acquisition with Jen Dawson and Chaitra Vedullapalli
  • CXO Panel3: Building Trust and Credibility with Customers: How Cloud Hyperscalers are Empowering their Channel Partners – Moderator : Regina Johnson and the Panelists: Danny Brown, Lesley Scholes, Colleen Hoagland
  • Ask The Experts & Networking – Moderator: Chaitra Vedullapalli and the Panelists: Dexter Harding, Danny Brown, Karen Fassio, Eddie Bader, Jason Boggs, Jennifer Estes
  • #empowHERaccess Awards Journey with WIC (Share insights & partnership details)
  • Closing Remarks & Accenture B2B Coaching Program Announcement

 

The event will culminate in a formal in-person awards ceremony, recognizing Winners of the 2023 #empowHERaccess Awards that honor entrepreneurs, businesses, leaders, and allies who have ignited equitable economic access and facilitated inclusive and sustainable spaces for women tech entrepreneurs and professionals.

 

Register for the #WICxInspire 2023 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/638536799757

And for the In-Person #WICxICONS dinner and #empowHERaccess Celebration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/642534817937

 

/by