Well Nokia is now encouraging windows app development.. I recently came across a link to their new developers program which goes by the name of DVLUP, and is basically fr windows app developers & Students..
DVLUP program gives points and rewards to Windows Phone developers, bt interestingly this reward program is partly a game where you can compete with your peers, and maybe even meet some folks to collaborate with. As a player, you can earn badges for your accomplishments. Complete challenges and develop applications, you’ll begin to earn XP points (experience points) which you can redeem the XP for valuable rewards…. You can redeem these points in the Rewards Store for everything from Bluetooth stereo headsets to cool Nokia Lumia handsets to Nokia Premium developer account.
For details u can go through: http://www.regengine.com/strack/dvlup191
This type of step from Nokia is not only better fr Microsoft to stay in the mobile market game but also very useful fr the mobile app development students.. Right now, there are a lot of resources available online to help with Windows Phone development from a technical perspective nd with this program students can earn exciting rewards & compete with others, and maybe even meet some folks to collaborate with….