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Monday, June 22, 2009

IBM launches remote mentoring programme

Endeavouring to bridge the industry-academic divide and bring next generation technologies to university campuses in India, IBM launched the `Remote Mentoring Programme' at International Institute of Information Technology - Hyderabad (IIIT-H) recently.

The initiative is targeted at mentoring selected students of reputed institutes on various short-term projects revolving around next-generation technologies and IT services delivery. IBM intends to reach out to 25 institutes across India through its remote mentoring programme, said Jai Menon, IBM fellow and vice-president of technical strategy.

First initiative

A unique feature of this programme is that it is the first IBM initiative that has been generated and piloted out of India. "We will try it here first. If it is successful, we will implement it in the USA," he said.

It provides an opportunity for the students and the faculty to gain industry experience and exposure to world class technologies.

"The programme will enable participants experience remote project management and delivery environment, working as a team, delivering on deadlines and enhancing communication skills. Besides exposure to next generation technologies, remote mentoring inculcates business skills thus bringing students closer to the professional scenario," he said during a select press briefing at IIIT-H campus.

During the mentoring period of three to four months, students work with their university professors, and also consult designated IBM mentors (experts) through regular conference calls and email exchanges.

As part of the programme, students get to work on some of the latest technology areas such as services-oriented architecture, telecom solutions engineering, enterprise computing (Systems Z), information management, green IT and green apps, Web 2.0 and web programming, IT Services Management, cloud computing, nano and microelectronics, WIT - diversity and inclusive leadership, software modelling and tools - high performance computing.

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