Centre for Internet & Society

To,
Registrar,
Visvesvaraya Technological University,
“Jnana Sangma”, Machhe,
Belgaum - 590 014

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Dear Sir,
Subject: Application for Information under Section 6 of the Right to Information Act, 2005

1. Full Name of the Applicant:
Pranesh Prakash

2. Address:
Centre for Internet and Society
D-2, 3rd Floor
Shariff Chambers
14 Cunningham Road
Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Phone number:
+91 80 40926283

E-mail address:
[email protected]

3. Details of the document/Inspection/Samples required:
As per newspaper reports, Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) and Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) have entered into an agreement pursuant to which Microsoft will aid in VTU's curriculum development programmes, students' projects, continuing education, and research and
development.

I request you to provide me:

A. A copy of the memorandum of understanding or other agreement between VTU, or any authorized representative of VTU, and Microsoft, or an authorized representative of Microsoft, establishing this tie-up.

B. A copy of any contracts entered into between VTU and Microsoft pursuant to this tie-up.

C. A copy of the software licences granted by Microsoft to VTU in pursuance of this tie-up.

D. A copy of any other legal and/or commercial documents related to this tie-up.

E. A copy of the memorandum of understanding or other agreement between VTU, or any authorized representative of VTU, and Microsoft, or an authorized representative of Microsoft, establishing the "Microsoft Dream Spark programme" at VTU in 2008.

F. A copy of the memorandum of understanding or other agreement between VTU, or any authorized representative of VTU, and Microsoft, or any authorized representative of Microsoft, establishing the"Academic Development Programme" introduced in 2002.

G. A copy of the memorandum of understanding or other agreement between VTU, or any authorized representative of VTU, and Microsoft, or any authorized representative of Microsoft, establishing the "Microsoft Technology Centre" at VTU's Bengaluru campus in 2005.

H. A copy of any internal memoranda or communications related to the adoption of Microsoft software and resources, and Microsoft curriculum, and any other communications between Microsoft and VTU.

I. A copy of the memorandum of understanding or other agreement between VTU, or any authorized representative of VTU, and Microsoft, or any authorized representative of Microsoft, establishing the "Microsoft IT Academy" at VTU.

J. Any policy that VTU has regarding tie-ups with software companies or other software groups when it comes to curricula.

4. Years to which the above requests pertain:
2002, 2005, and 2008.

5. Designation and Address of the Public Information Officer from whom the information is required:
Registrar,
Visvesvaraya Technological University,
"Jnana Sangma", Machhe,
Belgaum - 590 014

To the best of my belief, the details sought for fall within your authority. Further, as provided under section 6(3) of the Right to Information Act, in case this application does not fall within your authority, I request you to transfer the same in the designated time (5 days) to the concerned authority and inform me of the same immediately.

To the best of my knowledge the information sought does not fall within the restrictions contained in section 8 and 9 of the Act.

This to certify that I, Pranesh Prakash, son of M.S. Prakash, am a citizen of India.

A fee of Rs. 10/- (Rupees Ten Only) has been made out in the form of a demand draft drawn in favour of Finance Officer, VTU, Belgaum.  Please indicate any further amount needed, if any, for provision of the above information in your response to this petition.


Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2009
Place: Bengaluru, Karnataka