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Nivedita Mookerji
What does it mean when a product company diversifies into education? Ask Microsoft. ``The entry into education is to support our products,'' says Amit Srivastav, Education & Certification Manager, India Subcontinent Region, Microsoft.
And education is now a focus area for Microsoft in India, through alliances with educational institutions and training establishments. The objective is clear: Offer students and working professionals easy access to certification on Microsoft products.
The support division, as Srivastav calls Microsoft Education, took off in 1990 in the US, but is a recent phenomenon in India. Started in 1996 in India, it's not a money making programme, emphasises Srivastav.
Rather, everything is heavily subsidised. Be it the Microsoft University training people in the US, or delivering through partners such as NIIT in India, the course is always designed by Microsoft itself.
The programmes are recognised worldwide, with quality being the high point, says Srivastav. And even smalldetails, such as the nature of the room where classes are held, are very significant.
With the number of certification acting as its benchmark in the area, the company has reasons to be happy. From 400 in the year ending 1996, to 4,000 in 1997, and then to 13,000 in 1998.
But who's this meant for? The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential is for IT professionals who want to demonstrate expertise with a particular Microsoft product, replies Srivastav. And technical managers worldwide recognise the Microsoft Certified Professional designation as a mark of quality.
And eligibility? There are no set eligibility rules, says Srivastav. Only, you are expected to have a certain level of knowledge. In fact, the Microsoft certification exam can be taken without going through the programme. But the pass rate is around 54 per cent, adds Srivastav, again focusing on the fact that it's a quality certification.
Srivastav explains what Microsoft Education and Certification in India is all about. Itincludes four main initiatives:
The ATECs provide training to IT professionals on the latest Microsoft products and technologies. These full-service technical-training organisations are Microsoft Certified Solution Providers that can deliver systems, support, and developer instruction in a variety of formats.
At present, there are 46 ATECs in India, which offer a choice of 332 Microsoft certification courses. And the training is provided by qualified Microsoft Certified Trainers. Going on to the second initiative, Authorised Training Centres (ATCs) provide end-user training on Microsoft products.
ATCs design their own curriculum based on Microsoft Press titles. There are 8 ATCs in India, and the number is expected to grow.
The third initiative -- Authorised Academic TrainingProgramme (AATP) institutions help full-time and part-time students prepare for jobs that demand proficiency with Microsoft products and ad technologies. This is generally available in schools, colleges and universities.
Finally, the University Advanced Technology Laboratory Programme. Under this, Microsoft works with premier academic institutions across India. Besides sponsoring research work, Microsoft also sponsors 400 hours of training for students of the participating institutes by Microsoft Certified Trainers.
Even as Microsoft had to recently opt out of the great business school project in Hyderabad because it had sought to train through partners, the company has other education plans lined up. First, it is already executing a phased expansion plan.
Having started the certification programmes only in the metros, it went to Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Pune, Bangalore. Then it gradually made inroads into smaller cities and towns -- Vizag, Vijayawada, Manipal. Soon, it's planning centres in Chandigarhand Lucknow.
Among other initiatives to be launched soon is a tie-up with placement agencies, says Srivastav. "That will help us track the movement of the Microsoft certified professionals, particularly as the demand for IT professionals is phenomenal outside India," he adds.
Plus, it's working with the Department of Electronics (DoE) on a taskforce for school education. There's more, but yet to be finalised, according to Srivastav.
Of the achievements in the Indian education scene, Srivastav has a long list to offer. Microsoft was the first one to come out with an online education package for working professionals. It also funds projects in several educational institutes such as IIMs, IITs and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. At these institutes, students as well as professors conduct their research on Microsoft products, and Microsoft foots the bill.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
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