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From Korea, to be IT savvy
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A group of Koreans are right here in Kochi, which is fast turning into a centre for software training. These men and women are getting to know Indian culture and savouring the Kochiscape. They take time off to meet K PRADEEP
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YOU must have seen them on the beach of Fort Kochi, late in the evening, catching crabs. Or you must have noticed these Koreans trying out `appam' and chicken stew in one of the city restaurants, or taking a stroll through the busy streets.
They are no back packers but students of various universities in South Korea, who have chosen Kochi as one of the centres to pursue studies in computer software.
They are the first group of computer students from across the seas to touch the shores of this land, which is fast growing into an important software training centre.
Computer training is much more than learning `languages' or going through complicated programmes. Though some of the centres may still bank on age-old systems and methods, there are many training hubs in Kochi that have managed to keep pace with the fast changes in this field. And it is exactly these features that have brought a group of 83 South Korean students here.
``When these students came here and I was being part of the teaching faculty I was really proud. It was nice to feel that our institution and the ACCP programme has found recognition worldwide,'' said Mr Johny John Kannanthara, head of the Tripunithura Aptech centre. The 83 students have been divided into batches and are now undergoing training in six of the Aptech centres in Kochi.
South Korea may have the money and the technology, but they lack exposure. This is perhaps because they go through an educational system where other languages, like English, are not given much importance. ''Most of them find it difficult to communicate in English, while many have problems understanding us though all of them can read English. Hence, our training package includes daily English classes and even sessions in personality development,'' elaborated Mr Johny.
The rigorous training schedule does not give the Korean students much time to travel around the State. But they do manage to squeeze in some time to see Kochi. ''We have been in Kochi for more than two months. Of course we would love to see a lot of Kerala but we may not find time. We reach the centres at nine in the morning and go back only by five in the evening,'' said Mr Dong Keun Kim.
``This is a tough course. In fact, it is this ACCP programme that is part of the curriculum adopted by nine different universities in South Korea. At the end of each module we conduct exams and the feedback regarding each student is sent to the Korean coordinator and to the University coordinator who are part of the huge group from Korea now undergoing training in various Aptech centres in select cities in India. It is similar to the three year programme that we have here,'' explained Mr Johny.
There is perhaps another reason why institutes like Aptech have won the approval 52 countries. They have understood the need to update systems and technology in their training programmes. ''What is being offered here is the latest, online education. We have what is called Aptech Online Varsity which is of immense help to students. On most days the afternoon sessions here are for tutor chats. The students can clear any of their doubts with instructors placed in centres like Pune, Mumbai etc. They can update their projects, put online what they have done, gather feedback and suggestions. It is really a hi-tech training system. This has been introduced this year and very soon we will be launching our ACCP World Programme which will incorporate all this,'' said Mr Johny.
``We are satisfied with our classes and the teachers here. We are taken care of very well. Every evening after we get back to our hotel we regroup and discuss the day's activities with our chief coordinator, Mr Jin Ho Choi. Most of us hope to complete the course in one year. We then get back to our universities where we have to undergo another part training before we secure our degrees, '' said Mr Min Jaing, another student of this batch.
Most of them were glued to their computers, headphones stuck to their ears, often taking a munch from their snack packs. It is serious business for the whole day. Then during those occasional free hours they try to make most of it. And they make no bones about what they have seen and experienced of Kochi.''It is a nice place, but......' Mr Kim smiled, hesitated and then continued ''it is too hot, polluted. Maybe the rainy season will change things. The hotel seem a bit too expensive but extremely comfortable and the food too spicy. We are slowly adapting ourselves to Kochi and the food here. We have been around to Bolghatty, Fort Kochi, Vypeen... I felt the Hill Palace was lovely...,'' Mr Kim signed off, swirling back to his computer.
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