AP to forge ties with MIT for open source software

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government is forging ties with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US, for collaboration in the areas of e-governance, data standards and service-oriented architecture. "MIT will provide funding and technological assistance for developing and promoting different software components including an open source platform," said state IT secretary K Ratnaprabha.

Addressing a press meet on Saturday, she said, as part of the open knowledge initiative, MIT would sign an MoU with Hyderabad-based Institute for Electronic Governance (IEG) on January 9. "MIT has a global endowment fund of $8 billion. However, we are yet to finalise the final details of funding for the project," she said.

According to her, the initiative would help transform e-governance and enterprise systems. "IEG will provide the required manpower and lab facilities for the project," she added.

The state government is also organizing a three-day GITEX seminar-cum-exhibition. "As part of the annual event, we will be giving away awards for performance in the IT sector. This financial year, Satyam Computers has been adjudged as the top IT exporter while Genpact has bagged the award for the top exporter in the ITES category," she said.

To encourage the IT sector, the government is also planning to extend its IT education programme for students to regular degree colleges. "Currently, there are 86 such centers covering 240 engineering colleges. This year, we have extended it to degree colleges in four districts - Kadapa, Warangal, Ranga Reddy and Vizag. Our aim is to expand it to the entire state," Ms Ratnaprabha said.

She said, Jawahar Knowledge Centres have already trained over 12,000 students, of which 4,000 are employed. "Nasscom reports suggest that by the end of 2010, the industry will face a manpower shortage of 5 lakh people. JKC will help us to bridge that gap. Other states including Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Chattirsgarh have expressed interest to participate with us so that these kind of programmes can be replicated," she added.

ends.