NIIT and IBM have entered into a strategic alliance to offer cutting edge training programmes in IBM technologies. "Software testing and Quality Assurance is a critical segment of the software industry. Hence, we will start training people in IBM's suite. The Certificate course would cost Rs 25,000 for five months programme and the Diploma course for 99 days will cost Rs 35,000," said Vijay K Thadani, Chief Executive Officer, NIIT.

NIIT will offer these training programs across key markets in India such as Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. The courses would be offered across 100 NIIT centres over next one year and would train 25,000 people, said Thadani. He further added that the partnership would be extended in successive phases to other platforms of IBM. The companies in the next phase would offer these courses in the Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malayasia and ASEAN countries.

"This is one of the first step both companies are looking at enhancing portfolios. We would like to do in the markets as governments are also developing many infrastructures and are investing on other projects," said Pradeep Nair, Director (Software Group), India and South Asia, IBM.