Microsoft will help university students pay for Windows computers with the launch of a new crowd funding program called “Chip In”
The program which allows friends and family crowdsource donations for the purchase of a Windows PC allows the student to select a new Windows PC device on the Chip In site, then creates a campaign page and shares it out to friends and family, asking for help funding the computer. Microsoft contributes 10% of the PC purchase as the first donation.
When the new computer is funded, the student receives a promotional coupon code to buy the device from MicrosoftStore.com. Parents, relatives or students themselves can start up a campaign but it is only a student with a .edu University e-mail address or international student identity card (ISIC) that is allowed to redeem the coupon used to buy a computer.
The promotional program for students, which starts this June will run through to September 1.
Crowdsourced consumer purchasing is still new and Microsoft hopes to kick start a trend for crowdsourced purchasing.
“You think about all of these big purchases that we make throughout our lives and a lot of them come as gifts,” said Kristina Libby, head of Windows consumer PR for Microsoft. “So, encouraging your community to help you purchase a large good — we think that it’s going to become a much more standard practice [across the whole industry.
Students in Africa can tap into this opportunity by getting an International Student Identity Card(ISIC), the ISIC Association issues the cards to students in more than 125 countries worldwide. The ISIC card is the only internationally accepted proof of bona fide student status.
First established in 1953, the ISIC card is now issued in over 125 countries. All bona fide students over the age of 12, regardless of their nationality, race, gender or religion can purchase an ISIC card. The ISIC card has been endorsed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) since 1968.
The ISIC Nigeria is located at: 54 Opebi Road, By Salvation Bus stop, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, or check www.ISIC.org for more details.
