NIIT to set up training hub in China

With the objective of increasing its presence in China, Indian software training company NIIT has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese real estate developer Shui On to set up training operations in at its upcoming Dalian Tiandi Software Hub.

NIIT already has a presence in China with 172 locations in 65 cities with about 50,000 students graduating from NIIT centres in China every year.

NIIT will open its first centre at the Dalian software hub in August.

"China is very strong in the manufacturing sector and aims to go up the value chain and develop its software and services sector as well. Its physical infrastructure is well developed but to grow as a knowledge economy, it needs to develop its human infrastructure. NIIT wants to be a leading supplier of IT talent for the software industry in China, which requires first-day first-hour ready professionals," said Vijay K Thadani, chief executive, NIIT.

Vincent HS Lo, chairman, Shui On, said: "We want to create an environment of work, play and learn at the Dalian Tiandi Software Hub. We have, hence, tied up with NIIT to ensure talent development and supply for the companies that would set-up operations here."

The park is also expected to get investment from several Indian IT companies. The companies as well as professionals working in this park would get several tax incentives from the Chinese government, including income tax rebates for individuals working there, Lo added.

"I believe Indian IT companies would emerge as the biggest employers of IT workforce in China. Indian IT companies in China have a workforce of just 1,000 to 2,000 people right now but in three years, it is expected to grow to 25,000 to 30,000 per company," said Prakash Menon, president, NIIT.

"There is a huge gap between the IT industry demand and the talent supply. Keeping this situation in view, we have a training institute in Shanghai for NIIT trainers that in-turn teach students. By 2011, NIIT would have over 70,000 graduates in China, which would outnumber the IT students graduating from all the Chinese educational institutions put together," Menon said.

NIIT has a special module of English running parallel with IT training. The company intends to introduce courses at Chinese colleges and universities even as it plans more centres in the western part of the country.

"I was asked by the Indian government why we were helping the Chinese develop their software industry. I replied that the Chinese were very determined to develop the industry and would do it with or without us," Menon added.