Are you thinking of taking up an e-learning course but unsure of whether the certificates/qualifications issued by the e-learning institutes are recognised by companies?

Does taking up an e-learning course in banking or management make sense for you given your background and career?

Is India's IT infractructure good enough to support quality e-learning at a reasonable cost?

To answer these and many other questions related to e-learning in India, Shailesh Mehta, CEO, GurukulOnline Learning Solutions, hosted a chat with GA readers on April 30. For those of you who missed the chat, here's the unedited transcript:

Shailesh Mehta says, Hello, I am Shailesh, ready to take questions!

lenny asked, do online management courses require a min education reqiremnet?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Yes, it does require same as regular classroom based courses. You can opt for Post graduate Diploma courses(equi to MBA) if you are atleast a graduate. If you are a undergraduate you can optfor diploma courses in management

SandhyaS asked, hi.. are there e learning courses available for getting PG degrees and what is their value?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Yes there a number of institutions offering PG courses in Management via eleraning mode. For e.g. GOLS(Gurukul Online Learning Solutions) is offering such courses from Amity Univrsity of Uttar Pradesh. These courses are available with different specialisation in Mkts, finance, personnel, operations etc.

ritesh asked, what have to do for iim

Shailesh Mehta answers, You have to minimum a graduate those who are appearing for their final year graduate can also apply for IIMs. There is competitive exam conudcted by IIM called CAT(Common Admission Test). After succesfully apppearing for CAT they may call you for Group Discussion(GD) and personal interview based on which you can be selected

namu asked, are the certificates givn by elearning centres recognised by companies?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Yes very much, as you see one of my previous answers, AMITY UNIVERSITY OF UTTARPRADESH COURES ARE RECOGNISED AS PER THE CURRENT GOVT REGULATIONS. Besides, GOLS is also conducting pre-recruitment training for Life and Non-Life Insurance accredited by Insurance Regulatory Development Authority(IRDA), besides, GOLS is also offering online courses in Certified Financial Planner(CFP) and AFP for which GOLS is accredited Educaiton Provier to Financial Planning Standards Board of INdia, GOLS is also academic/technical and adminstrtive partner to training courses offered by Institute of Company Secretaries of INdia(ICSI), Such examples can be multipled ad infinitum

meg asked, wat courses are available online nowadays?

Shailesh Mehta answers, There are currently variety of couress offered on mangement, and many other subjects. For e.g. GOLS is offering coures on Retail-Certified Retail Professional- as an academic partner of Retailers Associatio of India, Insurance, Company Secretaries, CFP.AFO, English Language, Foreign Languages like French, German, Spanish, American and British English, Dutch, Italian etc, Travel courses in collaboratin with Kuoni Academic of Travel, Bankig courses (visit website www.bankingvarsity.com,) , Bioinformatics(www.biionline.org), elarning(www.elearnigvarsity.com), eventmanagement(www.eventmanagement.com), careercounsling(www.careercounseling.in) etc etc

swapan asked, wha is e learning

Shailesh Mehta answers, It is also referred to as online learning it is an amalgam of compuer, internet and education. Typically, education/training offered via internet can be described as elearning and it can be self paced, Live, SImulation. IT can be offered using multimedia like what we call web based training(WBT), Audio and/or video and Live Virtual Classroom which mimics physical classroom over the web.

Sampat asked, What is the difference between the courses offered by Hughes and GOLS

Shailesh Mehta answers, We are webcentric. i.e. Our coursaes are accessible from office, home, cybercafe. TYpically, Hughes is a satellite company. There course are accessible from the centres having satellite connectivity generally in closed envronment. The range of coures offered by GOLS are vast and GOLS offers its courses from its websites numbering about 20 in different verticals.

ujjwal asked, Hi, I have 3.5 years of experience in the software field. I want to pursue my MBA , but I dnt want to leave my current job as of now. Can u suggest any good part-time (saturdays and sundays) Executive progmra. I have shortlisted 2 programmes as of now. 1. Executive program for young professional (EPYP) from IIMC (IIM,Calcutta) . Its conducted throught satellite education in HughesNet Global education, Bangalore - (1 year program) 2. Executive program for 20months for a degree from Wales university ,UK (TASMAC is authorised by Wales university to conduct this distance learning program in Bangalore) Please suggest me which 1 to take , as Im totally confused. And how is the career propects for these two. With and MBA degree, I want to still be related to the IT-field itself

Shailesh Mehta answers, ELearning courses are ideal medium for you as you can continue working whilst doing MBA/EMBA. I am unable to comment on the relevant merit/demrit of both the institutions however, IIMC courses are somewhat better recognized in India and may serve your purpose. However, this also depends on career path you are looking forward and whether these or other course satisfy that critera.

Sampat asked, Do we have the required infrastrucure available at reasonable cost for e-learning

Shailesh Mehta answers, Good question! It is like asking glass full or half. The fact is digital industry is moving only in one direction. Prices are falling, availability is improving, quality is improving. we have seen how mobile quality has improved and prices kept falling. The new technology like WiMax can really benefit the country most and hence infrstructure is set to improve drastically.

gaja asked, whats diffeerence between e-learning and CBT or WBT

Shailesh Mehta answers, Elearnig is an umbrella term many a time referring to CBT(Computer Based Traing referring to CDs herein), WBT(Web Based Training meaning PDF, HTML pages or digital content using tools like Flash with or without animation, graphics, audio, or Video), then there are video lectures(we have a tool called Interactive Video Lectures-IVL) and Audio lectures(GOLS has tool called Interactive Audio Lectures), Live Virtual Classrom, Simulations. There there is mLearning which includes PODcasting(Audio Lectures), VODCasting(Video Lectutures), etc

Vishala asked, I did my M.Sc Bio-Chemistry and want t know the online courses offered for my further studies

Shailesh Mehta answers, The Bio Tech industry is booming and is facing severe shortage of talent. You should visit www.biionline.org for courses on Bio-informatics/tech and other coures and career prospects. You can communicate with the support team of the website.

BRIJESH asked, Sir, i have completed b.com from mumbai university for the year -2004 after that i am working in export company. Sir plz tell me which course is suitable for me.

Shailesh Mehta answers, IT is good that you have seriously started thinking about your career. As mere B.Com does not have good propect. You can opt for CFP course offered by Financial Planning Standards Board of India(www.fpsb_ GOLS is a education partner to FPSB to offer courses in CFP/AFP. THere is severe shortage numbering about 50,000 and starting salary can be Rs.30000 upwards. Then there are optins like ICSI, ICWAI, ICAI. Though CFP is a tough course with the rigth education partner you can complete the course much faster.

nrb asked, is there any e learning course in bioinformatics also ppl say that AICTE does not approve any distant education program does e-learning course of bioinformatic would be validated under AICTE

Shailesh Mehta answers, Yes you should visit the site www.biionline.org. I am unable to comment on the second part however, the presdent of distance education council has already endorsed eleranig. eearning has huge power for the country. The country needs talent and we should welcome talent as long as it meets quality criterion and meets the need of the industry.

Jaya asked, Why is it difficult to sell elearning

Shailesh Mehta answers, elerang is at nascent stage and there is need to create awareness. We have over 50,000 students who have completed elearnig courses and hence market can only go up from here.

rdubey asked, is mba available through e-learning

Shailesh Mehta answers, Please check this website www.amityelearning.com  

Amit asked, I am looking for E-learning course to do my MBA but for the shortest duration. can you please guide me?

Shailesh Mehta answers, EMBA is available for period ranging from one year to three years. Please visit the website www.amityelearning.com

sanya asked, Hi Shailesh...Can we do MBA online.

Shailesh Mehta answers,  Please visit the website www.amityelearning.com  

uday asked, What is your view on the elearning market not being so affected by the US slow down? Just a business querry since i was working in elearning.

Shailesh Mehta answers, US slowdown has primarily affected US banking, realestate and automtive industry. There is pressure all over to reduce costs and that will spur outsourcing. However, it is the domistic market for eleraning that is rocking and is set for explosive growth as we have seen over last 11 years with mobilel industry.

ashish asked, after doing E-learing MBA can i get job easily

Shailesh Mehta answers, By merely doing MBA, you will get the job, is not the right statement. An EMBA will certainly add to your CV and will help to get you job more easily and with better pay packet.

sch asked, dear sir iam a diploma holde in mech engg. pl.. give me which courses r sutiable for me

Shailesh Mehta answers, You may do course offered by IEI (Institution of Enginers of India-kolkatta) for diploma holders which is equivalent to Engineering Degree the course is AMIE. There is good scope of mechanical enggieers in construction/Power and manufacturing industry. GOLS is shortly launching course(Launch in Aug-2008) -Certificate and Power Transmission and distibution, which shall help canddate jobs in the booming Power industry.

Rana asked, What exactly is BLACKBOARD

Shailesh Mehta answers, BlackBoard is A Learning Management System(LMS) targetted for education market

madhu asked, Can you suggest some vendors providing elearning solutions to banks?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Please visit www.bankingvarsity.com  and register yourself.

vivek kumar asked, sir i want to study further as i have applied for PGDM ( IN marketing ) from BIMS- PUNE. is it right move for me. I am 40 yr.garduate in arts.

Shailesh Mehta answers, I appreciate your urge to continue study and you seem to have already decided to study further in PGDM -Marketing. You should opt for courses based on your aptitude and your background

ADITYA asked, wHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE FUTURE OF ELEARNING IN iNDIA IN SCHOOLS SAY AFTER THREE YEARS.pLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CONCEPT HAS NOT BEEN WELL PICKED UP BY TEACHERS.THEY ARE STILL SCEPTICAL

Shailesh Mehta answers, You have to give some time. There is need to create awareness, demonstrate courses. THere is sever shortage of teachers and elearning does not eliminate teachers but helps channelise their energy. Good teahcers can earn far better with elearning. There is always resistance on anything new. When telephone was introduced people thought there is ghost in the telephone line and hence false scare was spread. Elearnig has great future and is here to stay and grow exponentially.

hemant asked, Hi, I am an Engineer having 7 yrs of experience in International Marketing. I want to do an MBA, preferably an EMBA. What would be the expenses? Duration? Advantage in my career after completing it, would the industry give any weightage to EMBA viz a viz regular MBA'a? Which are the best EMBA's options available in india?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Pl visit the site www.amityeleraning.com . Typically duration is two years spread over four semester each semester costing roughlyl Rs.15,000. If you are doing MBA certainly your prospects will brighten as there is a higher weightage for careers in sales marketing .

Ginu asked, What e-learning course are available for Java. Do they have any value? will they help me get job easily?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Plesae visit the site of Sun Microsystem. They do offer courses on JAVA on elearning mode. GOLS is also launching online corses on JAVA shortly (App by July-2008)

Deepa asked, Hai shailesh Pls tell me about SAP course.I want to join which one is best?

Shailesh Mehta answers, SAP is Company which is a pioneer in Enterprise Resource Planning Software. You should join Sap course offered by any instituion which is a partner of SAP

BINOD asked, presently I am working in Accra, Ghana so is it possible to do MBA Financial to living in accra. What cost will for two years MBA Financial coures.

Shailesh Mehta answers, Amity has many students from Africa. Pl visit the site www.amityelearning.com

Gera asked, Hi this is Vineet Gera. Is there any online course available for Event Management?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Pl visit www.eventmanagemntvarsity.com  which is the site offering online courses on eventmanagement.

madhu asked, Have u got online courses for bank employees?

Shailesh Mehta answers, Pl visit the site, www.bankingvarsity.com  

ARJUN asked,  Is there any E-learning course for SAP / Dynamics AX??

Shailesh Mehta answers, I believe SAP AG has online courses on the same. Please visit the Company website. I believe Dynamics you are referring Microsot CRM/ERP product. You should visit MIcrosoft elearning website for the same

hard asked, You asked, sir,i hav completd my B.com in 2004,presently i am working in pharmaceuticla company as a accounts exceut..i am persue MBA(finance) from ICFAI ITS AN DISTANCE LEARING COURSE.Plz tell can i get a gud job after comple MBA.

Shailesh Mehta answers, You have taken a good decision to pursue MBA (Finance) after your B.com. You should post your resume on any well known job search site and am sure you will land with a good job. It is better you do this after you have successfully completed your MBA

Shailesh Mehta says, Dear Friends, I would have loved to go on and on but every good thing also has to come to an end. This is all for this time, We shall meet again some other time. I wish you good luck in your career and ALL THE BEST!