CSI & ATTEST launch ITQ certification

NEW DELHI: Computer Society of India, the largest association of IT professionals in India and ATTEST, a division of Aptech Ltd today announced the launch of a series of vendor-neutral certifications for various IT-related skills, to fulfill the needs of the Government, various organizations and individuals.

The first in this series is CSI’s IT-Q or the computer proficiency certification, which will be followed by certifications on Programming Skills, Database Management Skills, Networking Skills and other related skills. This is being done in conjunction with ATTEST, the Testing Division of Aptech Limited, the global IT Training company. CSI has set up an academic panel to monitor the relevance of the tests to prevalent industry standards, which is headed by Professor C.R. Muthukrishnan of IIT, Chennai. The tests will be delivered online using the ATTEST network.

Air Marshal, M Mc Mahon, PVSM, AVSM, VM, and ADC Vice Chief of the Air Staff launched the IT-Q test at the CSI Annual Convention in Delhi. Also present on the occasion were Anand Pathak, President of CSI; Prof C.R. Muthukrishnan, chairman of the Academic Panel; Mr. Deepak Shikarpur Executive Director of CSI; and Mr. K. Raj, Head, ATTEST (Aptech Limited).

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Anand Pathak said, "As a premier IT industry organization, CSI aims to award certifications to IT users that will serve as a benchmark for prospective employers and employees to evaluate skills and knowledge. With CSI’s continued involvement in training and certification through the years, I am confident that candidates will witness a boost in their careers, post CSI certifications."

K. Raj, Head, ATTEST, opined, "there is an ever increasing demand for vendor neutral certifications, and it is laudable that CSI has taken the initiative to explore and launch such certifications, which with their credentials and with their industry relevance will go on to become de facto standards in the country. ATTEST is proud to be part of this program and has established a network of centers across the country where online tests will be conducted."

Speaking on the occasion, Prof C.R. Muthukrishnan said, "this is the first certification and we aim to extend it to other areas like programming, databases and networking. IT-Q has been approved by the academic panel, which comprises a judicious mix of representatives from both the industry and academia."

Deepak Shikarpur said, "CSI which comprises of professionals from the industry brings with it vendor neutrality, thereby ensuring that the candidates knowledge and skills are evaluated without any bias on specific products and future certifications would also follow the same principle."