News in Brief

Rediff completes acquisition

NEW DELHI: Rediff.com India, announced the completion of its acquisition of a

privately held, US-based portal focusing on Indians worldwide, thinkIndia.com,

Inc. According to the terms of the agreement, Rediff Holdings, a wholly owned

subsidiary of Rediff.com, paid $3,000,000 to the shareholders of thinkIndia.com.

ThinkIndia is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Rediff Holdings. Commenting on

the completion of the acquisition, Rediff.com India chairman and CEO Ajit

Balakrishnan said, "We are pleased that our first strategic acquisition has

been completed successfully. We are now working towards ensuring that the new

Rediff USA Web site has the type of content, services and marketplace offerings

that will attract the Indian community in the US." — CNS

Epson unveils modern demo center

MUMBAI: Epson India has unveiled a modern demo center, Epson Square, in

Mumbai. Epson Singapore chairman Shinichiro Fujita inaugurated the 1,500-Sq ft

demo center. The latest range of Epson's digital imaging solution products,

including color inkjet printers, photo inkjet printers, scanners, laser

printers, projectors, dot matrix printers and digital cameras will be showcased

at the center. The center will also be a stock and sale point of

consumables--ink cartridges, toner cartridges and various other Epson media -

CNS

EC Webdrome launches dupulse.com

NEW DELHI: The information gateway on campus life, www.dupulse.com is a new

site and the first of its kind in the country, specially designed by IEC

Webdrome, a division of IEC Software. The site provides complete information

relating to Delhi University campus, details of the colleges registered under

the university, besides courses available in JNU, IGNOU and other Institutes.

According to the spokesperson, "the site that is specially designed to

offer comprehensive guidance, incorporating every information on university

courses, frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to career options available.

It is also packed with email and powerful search engines, besides all the

features of campus life, discussions and debates on various books and CDs."

- CNS

Kerala University offers new IT course

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Department of Future Studies (DFS), University of

Kerala in collaboration with 24 IT companies in the country have approved a set

up a two-year M.Tech program in IT. However, the proposal is yet to be approved

by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). If approved, it will

be the first time in the country where a university program will have the

involvement of corporate giants. DFS has already signed a MoU with 24 IT firms

both from Kerala and outside for associating themselves with the program. In due

course, as many as 100 firms are expected to be involved in the

academic-industry program, said Head of Department of Future Studies (DFS) Dr V

Nandamohan. According to the MoU, the IT firms will provide part-time faculties,

lab facilities, in-house training and placement for students studying the course

-CNS.

STP and IIIT in Durgapur

KOLKATA: The Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA) is establishing a

software technology park in association with El Net-3L of Kolkata. The Durgapur

Center of Indian Institute of International Technology (IIIT), Calcutta, is

being established by ADDA in collaboration with SKS Educational and Social

Trust. Starting 2001-02, the institute will start a four-year graduate program

in IT. The institute would be equipped with infrastructure facilities, full

connectivity and state-of-the-art hardware and software and laboratories

designed to provide students hands-on experience in both current and future

technologies. — CNS

Chandragiri inaugurated at Technopark

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chandragiri, the fourth building constructed on 60,000

sq. ft in Technopark at Thiruvananthapuram, was inaugurated by State Industry

Minister Suseela Gopalan in technopark on Friday. The decade old electronics

technopolis in the state is reaching closer to the milestone of achieving one

million square feet of built up space by December 2001.The total built up area

of Chandragiri is being fully taken over by two NRI promoted software companies,

IBS Software Services and Specialized Global Solutions, USA, according to

Technopark manager business development M Vasudevan.-CNS