NIIT's US wing, NIIT (USA), started the Internet university a year ago and mainly offers focussed training on specific brands of software, with an initial module on generics.

Internet technology courses such as Java programming, Web publishing and building Web sites using graphics and multimedia are offered in NetVarsity. The varsity also offers courses in C++ and Visual Basic, operating systems (Windows 9x/NT) and client servers (Oracle).

The varsity uses what it calls skilletes to deliver the training. The skillete, trademarked by NIIT, is basically a tool to deliver education on demand. Therefore, each skillete is specific to a skill that the learners think they need to pick up.

Each skillete contains a set ofinstructions that take about half an hour to go through. As all this is done through NIIT's interactive Web site, you can do a skillete any time you want, anywhere you are. NetVarsity claims that it uses skilletes because they are Web playable and developed keeping in mind the handicaps of traditional learning.

All the skilletes on the site are bunched together in a sequence to form a module. Modules are then sequenced to form a course. This structure is similar to the tutorials NIIT delivers in its classrooms across the country. Sequencing allows those who do not want to go through a particular programme from start to end to choose a single skillete, a complete module or an entire course.

NIIT has structured the pricing in such a way that you can buy a skillete, module or course. The price varies with the subject. For instance, a Windows 98 course costs $49.50 and an Oracle application course is tagged at $119.50. The NetVarsity is primarily targeted at the US markets and runs on payments via credit cardand cybercash; both secured on the Internet. Offline payments are accepted in India.

The NetVarsity site offers first-time visitors some free skilletes such as HTML programming, upgrading to Windows 98, overview of Unicenter TNG, tips on effective browsing, JavaScript and fundamentals of Internet graphics.NIIT NetVarsity, being a computer vocational training organisation, has also tied up with Microsoft to become a centre for Microsoft certification and a centre for Unicenter TNG, an enterprise resource planning software, for which the varsity offers computer-based training.

Worldwide revenues for NIIT rose 53 per cent to $119 million last year. Net profits rose 41 per cent. At NIIT (USA), NIIT's largest foreign subsidiary, net income rose 158 per cent to $178,767 and revenues rose 72 per cent to $13.1 million in the last fiscal, excluding commissions paid out to the tune of $6.3 million.

Traditionally, NIIT has targeted its software services efforts on the manufacturing, telecommunications, financialservices and infrastructure sectors. Now, the company is marketing its services to other software companies, trying to convince US firms that they can get quality help from NIIT's software development factories in India.

To meet learners' desire for flexibility, NIIT is working to offer students a blend of classroom time filled with course work from CD-ROMs or NetVarsity. The company hopes to set up 200 centres in the US. To accomplish its target, NIIT is negotiating with a financial advisory company that has offices all over the US.