Time to Tutor: Oracle University

Oracle's education initiative-Oracle University (OU) has been in

existence for last nine years in India and now has stepped up its education

initiatives. Reasons are varied-increased number of Oracle users, trained

manpower crunch and growing Oracle market share in its product categories.

Oracle has planned to accentuate its education operations in India with

various new initiatives. Tapas Roy, director (education), Oracle India says,

"Education is growing in India with a new force and currently Oracle is

planning to introduce as many new courses as possible for India, invest in

increasing training centers and start long term relations with other educational

institutes."

Roy adds that lately Oracle saw a sea change in the education requirement.

"What used to be an employer's initiative has now become employee

initiative. Oracle certifications are becoming important to get jobs," he

quips. The second reason for Oracle to put impetus on this line has been the

growing contribution of this service segment. Last year the education grew about

14% and 19% a year before. With these double-digit growth and increase in the

install base, OU is all out to grab these students.

Roy said that OU worldwide is providing about 1,400 certificate for its

products lines and technology platforms. It would plan to introduce as many new

courses as possible in India.

It will also introduce new education partners and training centers in India

to speed up its activities. Roy adds, "India is the largest and the fastest

growing market not only for technology but also for education."

In India OU is producing about 30,000 certified professional and now plans to

increase it substantially. However, Roy did not give a specific rate of growth

for the Indian operations. Currently OU offers certified Oracle courses across

Oracle technology and applications. These courses are run by Oracle at its own

education centers in six metros.

With education business again spreading its wings in India, OU's plan to

invest in this cash cow seems a great strategy for its Indian business.

Shweta Khanna in Delhi