TORONTO, May 1, 2001 -- Microsoft Canada Co. today announced a strategic partnership with the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto that will see Microsoft Canada assist with the design, development, deployment and support of the school’s Web Portal Project. Microsoft’s support of the project will comprise a $500,000 sponsorship -- $250,000 in cash and $250,000 in software. The announcement was made at CAN>WIN, a one-day business competitiveness summit for 200 of Canada’s top business leaders, hosted by Microsoft Canada and the Rotman School, and supported by Compaq Canada, Deloitte & Touche/Deloitte Consulting, Intel and KPMG.

The Microsoft Web Portal will be built on Microsoft technology and based on architecture being delivered by Liberty Technology Services Ltd., a member of the Norigen Group of Companies. It will reflect the business community the school serves and help create a seamless transition for Rotman’s graduates as they enter the business world.

“We recognize that an educated population is vital to Canada’s ability to compete on the global stage,” said Frank Clegg, president, Microsoft Canada Co. “That is one of the reasons we are so proud to work with the Rotman School on this project. The school is a recognized leader in business education in this country and around the world, and the Microsoft Web Portal Project will help place Rotman at the forefront of technology integration into all aspects of learning.”

The Microsoft Web Portal Project will be the first of its kind ever attempted at a Canadian business school and will help position Rotman to be a leader among business schools in North America. Microsoft and Microsoft Consulting Services will help design a web presence for the school that will allow students to share information quickly, capture and preserve knowledge and resolve issues from anywhere in the school.

“Functioning in today’s fast-paced, global business environment demands total comfort with new technology and a networked environment,” said Roger Martin, Dean of the Rotman School of Management. “Microsoft’s support will help Rotman pioneer the use of Internet technology to enhance our MBA program and help to ensure that our graduates are fully equipped with the knowledge and experience necessary to take advantage of advances in technology. This initiative is another important building block in our efforts to make Rotman one of the world’s top ten business schools.”

Through the Microsoft Web Portal, Rotman students will be able to access fully customized course materials, virtual workgroups, class discussions and social event listings, yielding to a highly personalized experience. The initiative will also help students, faculty and alumni dramatically enhance their knowledge and information management capabilities, their ability to work in teams and their comfort level with a customizable Web.

“By investing in this project, Microsoft is contributing directly to Canada’s competitiveness by reaching out and helping to train the knowledge assets we will need to compete in the global economy,” added Mr. Clegg. “The timing of this announcement is particularly appropriate as we are today hosting CAN>WIN, a national summit on competing to win in the global economy.”

Created by Microsoft Canada Co. in partnership with the Rotman School and sponsored by Compaq Canada, Deloitte & Touche, Deloitte Consulting, Intel of Canada and KPMG Consulting, CAN>WIN will feature speakers such as Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corp; Michael Porter of Harvard Business School; Eleanor Clitheroe, CEO of Hydro One; Frank McKenna, former Premier of New Brunswick; and Tim Dattels, Managing Director of Goldman Sachs. The event will be kicked off by Frank Clegg, and emceed by CBC journalist Hana Gartner.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.

The University of Toronto’s Joseph L. Rotman School of Management offers leading-edge research and undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including the prestigious Rotman MBA, the newly redesigned part-time MBA, the Executive MBA, a first-rate doctoral program, the distinctive Master in Management & Professional Accounting Program, combined programs with the University of Toronto faculties of Law, Engineering and Nursing, and an innovative series of Executive Programs tailored to the current needs of businesses and individual managers.

Ken McGuffin
Media Relations Officer
Rotman School of Management
Voice: (416) 946-3818
E-mail: mcguffin@rotman.utoronto.ca

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