NIIT - Adobe Global Alliance

NIIT Ltd has announced that the Company and Adobe Systems Incorporated have entered into a global alliance to create talent pool for Design, Web, Mobile and Interactive Media.

Thorough this strategic partnership, NIIT will offer training programs on Adobe's software tools and technologies used in business, entertainment and personal communication, across its network of 32 countries. Global leader, Adobe will provide access to its software tools and technologies in the emerging, creative space, and enable the large software developer community and creative professionals to skill themselves for the Media, rich interactive Web 2.0, and Animation & Gaming industries.

Adobe and NIIT will also jointly set up showcase centres in key Indian metro cities. NIIT will also offer the training programs in emerging markets such as China and Vietnam, in addition to 30 other countries in its global network.

There is a requirement for 3,00,000 animation professionals by 2008 and the market for gaming development in India is expected to reach USD 300 million by 2009, at CAGR of 78 percent according to NASSCOM Study on Animation and Gaming Industry, 2006. Indian entertainment and media industry is witnessing a phenomenal growth and is stated to grow at 19 per cent by 2010 according to FICCI PWC report — 2005. It is also a reboot time for Indian advertising industry with predictions that the online segment is likely to cross the 100 million dollar mark by 2010, according to a study by MSN. Besides this, India is set to become the largest pay-TV advertising market by 2010 with total ad spends on pay-TV channels touching $1 .8 billion, by that year, as per a study by the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (Casbaa).

The demand in the international market is already large and growing rapidly. Additionally, there is a significant need for existing software professionals to upgrade their skills in the latest Adobe technologies in their journey to Web 2.0.

According to Mr. Vijay K Thadani, chief Executive Officer, NIIT, "The advent of convergence and the increasing need for richness in Interactive media is creating significant demand for skilled professionals. Adobe enjoys clear leaderships in the tools and technologies required in this space. NIIT is pleased to bring our 25 years of training expertise combined with Adobe's leadership, to create exciting career opportunities for the youth around the world, through our training programme."

Also present at the press conference were Mr. Naresh Gupta, Senior Vice President, Print & Classic Publishing Solutions, Managing Director, India Research & Development, Adobe Systems Inc., and Mr. G Raghavan, President-Global Individual Learning Business, NIIT who shares details of the new initiative.

While Adobe will provide access to its latest software developments tools and technical resources. NIIT will leverage its inherent strengthen in curriculum design and expertise in education process management. NIIT will offer training on Adobe's enterprise products with rich internet application, Web 2.0 technologies such as Flex, Flash, Adobe Integrated Rantune (AIR), Dreamweaver and ColdFusion, and Creative Suite products, including Creative Suite3, across its global network. NIIT's curriculum mapped to Adobe certifications will enable students to acquire there certifications.

While the modular programs are designed to initiate high school students into the creative space, the advanced level programs will enable enterprise developers and creative professionals to build careers in Media, Animation & Gaming and Web 2.0 technologies.

Adobe and NIIT will work together to develop a pool of trainers, through, 'Train the Trainer' programme, to further the cause of training in latest and emerging technologies. Both organisations will also collaborate to enhance career opportunities for students through scholarship and placement assistance.

Adobe also intends to leverage NIIT's testing and assessment services - NIIT Litmus - for conducting Adobe Certification examinations in select markets.