NEW DELHI, NEWDELHI: Patni Computer Systems has signed a strategic alliance with Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani for a two-year masters level degree in Embedded Systems for Patni employees, beginning September 2007.

Patni signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BITS Pilani through the 'BITS Off-Campus Distance Learning and Collaborative Programmes' scheme to hone the skills of Patni employees for the growing Product Engineering Services (PES) division of the company.

Ajay Chamania, senior vice president and head – PES, said, "Advance courses in Real-time Systems, Digital Signal Processing, Embedded Systems Design, Data Storage Technologies, and Wireless/Mobile communication offered through this collaboration, will enable our engineering team to meet the challenges of globalization of innovation and hi-tech engineering activities."

"Over the last three decades, we have built some strong industry-academia collaborations and are glad to extend our relations with Patni. It is the first company that we have tied-up with for Hi-tech Industries – Medical Devices, Telecom, Consumer Electronics, Storage, and Automotive," said Prof. Natarajan, BITS Pilani.

According to the agreement, the employees would be deemed as BITS, Pilani students and trained by a combined faculty from Patni and BITS. The program would be available to all Patni employees, and the company would further aid the students with financial support, course material and infrastructure.

Patni also offers its employees an off-campus masters program in Software Engineering from BITS Pilani, with over 170 employees currently enrolled in the program.