Oracle signs MoU with IEG

HYDERABAD: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Oracle India Private Limited and Institute of Electronics Governance (IEG) was signed here today enabling the former to provide software grants to 60 Jawahar Knowledge Centres (JKC) in Andhra Pradesh.

The grant slated to be provided by Oracle will be in excess of USD 114 million. As part of the pact, Oracle will assist in upgrading the college curriculum and faculty skills. The MoU puts Oracle's total software grant in India to more than USD 250 million.

Besides providing faculty training, Oracle will present software licenses for Oracle 10g database, Oracle 10g application server and Oracle 10g developer suite.

The MoU was signed by Subba Rao Ghanta, president, IEG and Krishan Dhawan, managing director, Oracle India. Dhawan hoped that the project will give a big push to students and make them confident while approaching the industry. ``We have one of our largest presence in Hyderabad. We would also like to extend our grants to many more colleges in the state,'' said Dhawan.

Dhawan also hinted at increasing the company's headcount in India. ``We are right now having 8600 people in India. By the end of this calendar year we wish to make it 10000,'' informed Dhawan.

Subba Rao said that the project will give a boost to the careers of the students. ``The aim is to promote industry-institute-government interaction. The centres will give students opportunities and make them skillful for the industry,'' said Subba Rao. Ratna Prabha, principal secretary (IT&C), Government of Andhra Pradesh said that the move will bring students and industry together.

``This is a stepping stone while will give the students the knowledge about what is going to happen in the future,'' she said.

Prabha also hinted at revamping the syllabus as part of the state government's long-term measures. Jawahar Knowledge Centres having established by the Andhra Pradesh government in reputed engineering colleges of the state.

Oracle India also runs the Oracle School of Advanced Technology as part of the International Institute of Information Technology in Hyderabad. The development is part of the Oracle Academic Initiative, which has its presence in 64 countries.