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.NET Conf 2023 - Student Zone

The .NET Conf Student Zone is beginner-friendly, virtual event where experts teach you how to build amazing projects - all using C# and .NET! Join us online on November 13, 2023 at 7am PST | 10am EST | 3pm BST | 8:30pm IST to learn more about AI, web development, mobile development, and more!

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.NET Conf Student Zone Agenda

Artificial Intelligence
  • Session 1: Building Your Own Course Assistant with AI - Luis Quintanilla and Kinfey Lo
Web Applications
  • Session 2: Minimal API + SPA, a perfect match - Aaron Powell
  • Session 3: Building an intelligent app with Blazor and Azure OpenAI - Justin Yoo
Mobile Applications
  • Session 4: Get started building mobile & desktop apps with .NET - Maddy Montaquila and Becky Buckler
Game Development
  • Session 5: Games in Godot! Let’s make a classic Paddle game with C#! - Michael Hawker
  • Session 6: .NET backend mastery for Game Development - Eric Mwenda
  • Session 7: Coding a drone using .Net and ChatGPT & Flying in MR! - Zaid Zaim
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C# certification + freeCodeCamp

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to C# programming, covering its core concepts, syntax, and practical application in software development. Through hands-on exercises and projects, you will learn the fundamentals of C#, including variables, data types, control structures, and object-oriented programming principles. By the end of this course, you gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to confidently use C# for building applications.

Learn More: Free Code Camp Certification

Start learning .NET before the event

Get started learning .NET before the event! If you're looking for a fun introduction to .NET development for mobile, web, and more, our .NET video series are a great place to start. Check out the bite-sized videos for an introduction to different .NET technologies and interactive tutorials.

  • .NET for beginners

    Discover the world of .NET with experts from Microsoft as they walk you through the ins and outs of "What is .NET" and how to publish your first application!

  • .NET on Azure for beginners

    .NET on Azure for beginners will teach you how to deploy web apps, work with storage and data, authenticate and use Managed Identity, harness the power of containers, and even deploy with GitHub Actions. By the end of this series, you will have the skills and confidence to start developing your own .NET applications on Azure!

  • .NET MAUI for beginners

    .NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI) is a framework for building modern, multi-platform, natively compiled iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows apps using C# and XAML in a single codebase. In this video series you will learn how to get started with .NET MAUI, C#, and Visual Studio to build your first cross-platform desktop and mobile app.

Practice using Visual Studio Code

In the .NET Conf Student Zone sessions, you'll build new projects using Visual Studio Code. Check out these resources to familiarize yourself with this editor before the event.

Explore AI

Learn about AI, how to get started, and using GPT models to improve text completions. Then, build an AI project with experts at the Student Zone.

  • Let's earn .NET - AI

    Learn about AI, how to get started, and using ChatGPT to improve text completions. Come to learn something new and leave with something that we all built, together, live with experts!

  • Who needs Semantic Kernel?

    Join Semantic Kernel expert, John Maeda VP of Design and AI as he introduces Blake—the app developer who came back from December holidays to a boss suddenly wanting AI in their app ASAP.

  • Semantic Kernel for beginners

    Get introduced to Semantic Kernel for developers, covering essential components such as the kernel SDK, planner, memories, and connectors. Learn through examples and applications.

Meet the Event Speakers

  • Katie Savage - Host

    Discover the world of .NET with experts from Microsoft as they walk you through the ins and outs of "What is .NET" and how to publish your first application!

  • Pablo Lopes - Host

    Pablo Nunes Lopes is a Global Cloud Advocate at Microsoft, where he helps students, educators and entrepreneurs leverage the power of Azure and other cloud technologies. He is also a Software Engineer with a passion for learning and experimenting with different tools and frameworks. Always adapting to the needs and challenges of each project. He is always eager to connect with other tech enthusiasts and curious minds.

  • Julia Muiruri - Host

    Julia Muiruri is a Microsoft Cloud Advocate, passionate about technology and enjoys experimenting with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and developer tools on App development experiences. #JavaScript #Azure #Frontend

  • Rory Preddy - Accessibility

    Rory Preddy is a Principal Cloud Advocate at Microsoft, a passionate Accessibility Advocate and a Top Cloud Influencer. He is a seasoned speaker whose talks are both meaningful and humorous, and he speaks around the world empowering developers to achieve more.

  • Rachel Kang

    Rachel Kang (she/her) works on the .NET MAUI team at Microsoft, and is passionate about all things accessibility. She is also very involved with various diversity and inclusion efforts at Microsoft, and recently led a hackathon project working on A11y Coach to increase accessibility intelligence for all.

  • Maddy Epstein

    Maddy Epstein is a Sr. Communications Manager at Microsoft working to help the student developers fall in love with Microsoft. She has worked with several Microsoft executives on their communications platforms, and has experience in storytelling, public relations and public speaking training.

  • Luis Quintanilla - AI

    Luis is a Program Manager at Microsoft who's passionate about helping others get started building AI solutions in .NET.

  • Kinfey Lo - AI

    Kinfey Lo is Microsoft Senior Cloud Advocate, focus on artificial intelligence and big data applications.

  • Aaron Powell - Mini API

    Aaron is a Developer Advocate at Microsoft with a passion for JavaScript, .NET, wacky ideas and running long distances.

  • Justin Yoo - Blazor

    Justin is a Senior Cloud Advocate from Microsoft. He is always looking for easy and convenient ways to build intelligent applications using the cutting-edge technologies with .NET and Azure.

  • Maddy Montaquila - .NET MAUI

    Maddy Montaquila is a Senior Product Manager on the .NET MAUI team. She loves helping developers be more productive by creating tooling to help them write code!

  • Becky Buckler - .NET MAUI

    After a decade of teaching math and art, Becky Buckler made the switch into tech. She is currently a Product Manager on the .NET Growth team.

  • Zaid Zaim - Gaming (Mixed Reality)

    Zaid Zaim, a Spatial Computing Expert and three-time Microsoft MVP, is known for his innovative work in augmented reality and Metaverse. A celebrated technopreneur, Zaid has spoken at TED Conferences, GITEX, WeAreDevelopers World Congress and is a force at ignore gravity, focused on innovation and solving organizational challenges with advanced technology.

  • Eric Mwenda - Gaming (Unity)

    As a seasoned game developer and backend engineer, my creations reflect a blend of engaging gameplay and seamless performance. Using the depth of .NET, I’m actively reshaping how players experience modern gaming.

  • Michael Hawker - Gaming (Godot)

    Michael Hawker is a Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft. In his spare time, he loves tinkering with board and video game design and programming.

Free resources for students

  • .NET home page

    Learn more about .NET from the official .NET website. From here, you'll be able to download .NET and learn more about everything you can build!

  • Community page

    Getting started with .NET development? We have you covered with our .NET for Beginners videos. Explore videos on web, mobile, desktop, C#, machine learning, containers/Docker, data access, and more.

  • Beginner videos

    Getting started with .NET development? We have you covered with our .NET for Beginners videos. Explore videos on web, mobile, desktop, C#, machine learning, containers/Docker, data access, and more.​

  • MS Learn for .NET

    Discover your path to build apps with .NET on Microsoft Learn. Whether you're just starting or an experienced professional, Microsoft Learn's hands-on approach helps you arrive at your goals faster, with more confidence and at your own pace for free.​

  • Docs

    Learn to use .NET to create applications on any platform using C#, F#, and Visual Basic. Browse API reference, sample code, tutorials, and more.​