3 tools to develop Azure skills in Higher Education
Higher education (HE) institutions within the UK are adopting cloud services at an increasing rate. Azure is a key tool for academic teaching and within the IT operations. For those that have made the move to the cloud, or are considering cloud migration, they’re discovering the educational advantage of having quick, easy, and secure access to learning resourcing. As cloud adoption grows…
- More students actively learn Azure skills and gain certification
- Academics will choose Azure when utilising cloud-based technologies
- Institutions will consolidate more of their services to Azure technologies
With Azure, the potential is truly unlimited.
Since joining the Microsoft UK Education team as Azure Skills Lead for Higher Education, I’ve been committed to helping HE institutions to access the learning resources available – to empower them to learn and master Azure, and achieve more with the technology. I believe that the key to harnessing this potential lies with raising awareness of what is possible and unlocking this via skills training.
One of the primary enablers for HE utilisation is through the process of achieving Azure skills. These are three Azure resources that you can make use of right now, to empower teaching, drive innovation, and realise the potential of your students.
Microsoft Learn’s Azure Fundamentals
Microsoft Learn is an incredible platform for learning all manner of new skills. It’s completely free, completely online, and lets you learn at your own pace – whether you’re a rookie or a veteran in your field. There are also options to become Microsoft Certified, an industry-recognised award that helps demonstrate your achievements.
Within Microsoft Learn is a portal for Azure Fundamentals. This is a great place to start when bolstering skillsets. Across 12 highly targeted modules, you and your team can understand what the technology will help you achieve and the big benefits it brings. Perfect for those who aren’t sure if cloud migration is right for their HE institution and want to know more.
Azure in Education
Azure for Education is designed to give both students and educators the developer tools required to boost cloud skills. With a focus on hands-on learning, this is the best place for anyone interested in the cloud to experiment with building, deploying, and managing applications within the cloud sphere.
From a free coding course to creating a cloud-based computer lab through Azure Lab Services, there’s plenty to kickstart the passions of students and your team. And don’t forget to check out the Imagine Cup, a highly prestigious competition that asks students to create world-changing applications.
Beyond the fundamentals
Once you’ve mastered the basics of Azure, it’s time to kick it up a notch. Microsoft offer lots of role-based Azure courses that will help you and your team go beyond the fundamentals, and start exploring benefits in greater depth.
Step-by-step guidance is given across topics like security, implementing virtual machines, remote desktops and everything in between – and covers all the essentials for those in a range of job roles, including administrators and business users. If you’re learning or seeking new skills at an intermediate level, these are courses you won’t want to miss.
These are three great places to start, but if you’d like more help from Microsoft, to learn more, or organise additional training sessions, get in touch with us using the Azure Skills Training enquiry form.
About the author
Andrew Bettany is an eight-time Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP), recognized for his Windows and Modern Desktop expertise. He has authored over a dozen books and many video training materials for LinkedIn Learning and Pluralsight on Microsoft technologies. He’s a Modern Management, Cloud and Mobility Solutions Consultant specialising in Microsoft 365 and Azure. Andrew is passionate about helping others learn and adopt new technology and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences such as Microsoft Ignite.
