There are only five IITs in India, but about 1,265 technical colleges - 771 awarding degrees in engineering and technology and 494 awarding Masters in Computer Applications (MCA) - in the country with a total intake of 205,153 (1999-2000) students. These students are expected to benefit from the program, if the local cable operators agree to air the channel. Instead of poring over books for hours in the library or logging on to the Internet, students can just switch on the television for some quality learning. Prof Sen said the channel would shortly be available for transmission in Europe too. "India's reputation in the field of technology has generated a lot of interest about the IIT. So foreign students can also get a feel of an IIT education," he said. The content may be hardcore engineering courses to begin with - computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and textile. "Subsequently we may bring out some programs which are not so technical, but related to technology, like banneddyes, machinery, new ways of teaching, etc.," said Prof Sen. These would be targeted at students, teachers and industrialists. The classroom has been simulated in a studio, where the chalk-talk mode of teaching has been replaced with projections and graphics. "But the class interaction will be real," Prof Sen said. It is certainly not for the masses, but for those who are interested, the IITs promise "high quality" content, which will be both interesting and important for targeted viewers.