Date:16/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031608431700.htm

Business

Aptech to expand operations

Staff Reporter

Keen to capitalise on increasing prominence of IT in State

KOCHI: Aptech Limited, engaged in IT education and other services, is planning to expand its range of operations in a big way.

The company having more than 1,000 centres in India and abroad is keen to capitalise on the increasing prominence of IT in different sectors of life.

Company managing director Pramod Khera said the boom in BPO was contributing to the growth of IT education in India and other countries.

Joint venture in China

The company has operations in West Asia, Africa, Russia, China and Latin America. In China, it has a joint venture with Beijing University.

The company is playing a key role in helping individuals and organisations to adapt to the changing requirements of a knowledge-driven world.

Having had started operations in 1986, the company has trained over four million students globally, he said.

The company is in the process of diversification in various arenas such as education content development and online testing.

There are three divisions under the company, namely Aptech Learning Services, Arena Multimedia and SSI Education. Aptech Certified Computer Professional (ACCP) programme is the most popular course among the various courses offered. Induction training is one of the specialities.

Established IT companies have infrastructure for induction training for those who are absorbed into the organisation. Many of those who do not have the facility have been sending the candidates to Aptech.

Call centre education is another potential sphere. The company has call centre education centres at Pune, Chennai and Delhi. More such centres are to be opened in the near future.

Computer education is one of the growth drivers, observed Mr. Khera.

"Today, for any job, you need computer knowledge. Even in marketing, those who have computer knowledge are preferred," he said.

Many of the engineering students approach Aptech for a `finishing school' experience in computer education.

Recruitment centres

Animation course conducted by the Arena Multimedia division has been attracting a good number of students, as most of the candidates are able to find a job. Campus recruitment at Aptech centres has been of much help to the students. The year 2006 is being observed as placement year, focussing on 100 per cent placements.

The company had taken some initiatives to start a private university, but was later abandoned. Mr. Khera is hopeful of taking up the project if the environment is conducive.

India is a signatory to the WTO/GATS. Exporting education is a prospective project as India has a lot of expertise, according to him.