• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

Moumita Bakshi

IT training companies are setting up their own universities, both to widen their horizons and cut down dependence on one sector.

APTECH is getting into it and so is NIIT. In fact, even a relatively smaller player, Jetking, is set to jump on to the bandwagon.

Building on the strength of their knowledge and expertise in IT training, these companies are taking a step that could be seen as a logical extension - setting up universities. Aptech has launched its University and is in the process of setting up its campus at Raipur, Chattisgarh. Online entrance exams have been held for students wishing to pursue courses at the University and the admission procedure at its colleges at Chennai and Mumbai is in full swing.

"Till recently, the education sector in India remained a protected sector with very limited private-sector activity. The sector is just opening up with private schools, colleges and universities being set up across the country. There is a big need for education in all fields and disciplines in the country and since we have a head-start of over 18 years in the education field, we have now forayed into formal education," says Pramod Khera, CEO and managing director, Aptech Ltd. Besides, as an IT training organisation, Aptech feels its students require formal degrees that it was unable to provide without a formal University structure in place. Therefore, while Aptech's IT training arm moves on unhindered, Aptech University will offer courses in streams such as management studies, information science, media studies and humanities and social sciences.

The University plans to offer a range of courses including M.Sc (Hons), Business Studies, BBA (Hons), management information systems, M.Sc (Hons), Information Science, B.Sc in Software Systems, B.Sc (Hons), Information Science, B.Sc in Multimedia & Animation, and B.Sc (Hons) New Media.

"Aptech University will aim at ensuring industry-relevant courseware, technology-enabled teaching methodology, internships and industry-alliances. Students will be better prepared to gel with industry-requirements. We intend satisfying all UGC norms at the minimum in the run-up to forming a world-class University," says Khera. The company's foray into the formal sector is both to expand horizons and derisk dependence on one industry.As for NIIT and its plans, a company spokesperson says the Madhya Pradesh Assembly has approved the necessary legislation.The procedural formalities that follow are under way. While the details of the proposal were not available, NIIT expects the completion of this process in the `near future.'

Computer hardware and networking institute Jetking also plans to have a `Jetking University' by March next year. "We are planning to set up Jetking University. We will do it either by purchasing an existing private University in Uttaranchal or Chattisgarh, or by setting it up on our own," says Suresh G. Bharwani, Chairman and Managing Director, Jetking.

Jetking initially plans to offer a Bachelors Degree in Information Technology. This will be upgraded to engineering as well as post-graduate degree later.

What do these moves mean for students and the education sector at large? According to an industry observer, the Universities proposed by IT training companies will offer value proposition both to the players as well as students.Many States are in the process of considering legislation on allowing private sector participation. Some like Chattisgarh, Sikkim, Uttaranchal, have taken the lead and have already laid down the framework. Each year, vast numbers of students fail to gain admission into the established Universities. There is a huge demand-supply gap in the availability of seats for higher education, he says.

From a student's standpoint, more credible private Universities would mean a higher intake as well as wider array of courses, while for the IT training companies — which had to be satisfied with issuing certificates, diplomas or tie-ups with existing universities at best, it has opened the floodgates to a new opportunity.

"World over, education is a $2-trillion industry and in India too, the potential for the education sector is huge," says Khera. The company plans to invest Rs 8-10 crore over the next 12-18 months and Rs 20-25 crore over the next five years. Aptech is looking at enrolling over 1,000 students in the University in this academic year in various courses.

But while the companies' plans are welcome, how effectively they get implemented will make the difference. Will these courses serve as industry benchmarks? Will they be effective substitutes for the high-end courses that are already available? These are some of the questions these companies will have to find answers for.

Picture by S.R. Raghunathan

moumita@thehindu.co.in

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
A squabble for space

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line