Hyderabad :

IT major Microsoft said it had hosted ‘Codess’, a global community for women coders, at its Microsoft India Development Center campus in the city on Friday.

Codess was established by Skype in March 2013 to explore ways to promote gender diversity in the field of engineering. “Codess Hyderabad is one in a series of Codess events worldwide and second in the series to be organized in India. Codess entered India in May 2014 in Bangalore. Themed ‘Coding an Innovative Enterprise’, Codess Hyderabad provided the attendees an opportunity to interact with women achievers in the area of engineering,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Around 84 women coders from Hyderabad with experience in development, testing and project management participated in the event, the company release said.

The company pointed out that the theme of ‘Coding an Innovative Enterprise’ was relevant as India is seeing a steady rise in technology startups and is emerging as the third largest base for startups after the US and UK.

“Innovative thinking, enterprising approach and problem solving attitude are some of the key skills to build a startup. These skills are also important to be a great coder. The theme, therefore, aimed at aligning thoughts, drawing parallels and providing a common platform for the participants to share experiences as entrepreneurs and coders,” it added.

Microsoft India R&D Pvt Ltd managing director Anil Bhansali said, “The program aims to bring together women in engineering to share personal and professional experiences, network and learn from each other.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Swati Rathor, TNN / November 07th, 2014