Date:05/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/05/05/stories/2005050501131700.htm

Back Reliance WebWorlds to be virtual classrooms for XIMB course in Bhubaneshwar

Our Bureau

Mumbai , May 4

THE WebWorld outlets of Reliance Infocomm will serve as virtual classrooms for a post-graduate programme of the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar (XIMB)

XIMB's one-year post-graduate certificate programme in business management will be conducted through 240 Reliance WebWorld outlets spread over 100 cities in the country, according to a tie-up between the two.

"This is the first time that such a virtual post-graduate programme is being offered in the country," said Mr Sarup Chowdhary, CEO of Reliance WebWorld, adding: "Reliance WebWorld will also partner universities and institutes of repute for long-term certificate and degree courses."

The third party in this partnership is Blueshift, an Atlanta and Chennai-based software and services provider that specialises in education technology.

Students and working executives can do a world-class management programme without having to relocate from their hometowns, said Fr E. Abraham, Director, XIMB, at a news conference here on Wednesday.

The programme will cost Rs 1.8 lakh per student; it is not known exactly how Reliance WebWorld and Blueshift will share the income. Reliance WebWorld's video-conferencing costs are around Rs 2,000 for an hour; this classroom service is being offered at a discount, said Mr Chowdhary.