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August 14, 2002
UW & MS
I just read today from various news sources, that the University of Waterloo is accepting a $2.3M donation from Microsoft and in exchange will teach C# (a new programming language invented by Microsoft) instead of C++ in a required entry-level Electrical and Computer Engineering course.
Now I don't know how to feel about this. On one hand, UW accepts donations from other companies, like Apple and Nortel, and adjust curricula accordingly (CS 130, a semi-required course is taught on Macs). On the other hand, C# is a brand new language, one that has not yet proven itself in the real-world (as was the case with C++). Also, no one likes the idea of a university's curriculum being bought out by a corporation.
On the flip side, UW churns out the more graduates who get hired by Microsoft than any school in Canada, and more than most American schools. So I guess MS figures it's just training its future employees early.
Sorry I don't have a definite position on this issue (no, it's not because BillG signs my paycheques), but because:
- I'm not an engineering student.
- I'm almost graduated. 4.5 months from now I'll have left my schoolin' days behind for greener pastures.
I hope this gets resolved in such a way that UW doesn't look like it's getting bought (like only teaching C# in a non-required course).