Last month, ZED entered into a tie-up with the Guru Ghasidas University (GGU), Bilaspur, to jointly offer two degree-level programmes, namely a Bachelor's in Business Administration (BBA) and a Bachelor's in Computer Application (BCA). Both programmes are of three years' duration.

The BBA programme will cover operational and financial management, management information system, entrepreneurship and small business management and global business management.

According toManoj Manocha, regional manager of ZED in Delhi, the BCA programme is the best long-distance programme of its kind available in the country. ``ZED supports this intensive curriculum through well-designed student contact sessions, expert faculty with industry experience, well-equipped computer laboratories, training aids like video, CD and the Internet,'' he says.

The BCA provides extensive coverage of computer hardware and programming elements. These include advanced PC applications, security aspects of PC, networking and Internet applications, object oriented programming and RDBMS-Oracle.

Manocha is highly appreciative of the initiative taken by GGU. ``The infrastructure of most universities remain grossly underutilised. Yet, most of them are reticent about extending their facilities to private players. GGU recognised the huge potential of a tie-up with a well-equipped, long-distance education provider like ZED. The academic base of GGU and the technical support of ZED makes a strong combination,'' heexplains.

Both the programmes will be available on the long-distance mode.

Manocha says that ZED did not consider a foreign tie-up as ``universities abroad doubt the calibre of students here and are therefore not interested in exporting their degrees''. However, he does not rule out the possibility of a tie-up with an overseas university in the future.

ZED is also working towards establishing a two-way communication with the students during the training sessions through appropriate data and voice transmission.

Sometime back, ZED, in collaboration with the Bajaj group, conducted an experimental, on-line clinic for roadside mechanics. The lectures were designed to enable roadside mechanics to sharpen their knowledge about automobiles without having to refer to written material. The programme was beamed via the Zee TV channels. At the end of the programme, viewers were invited to take a practical test for certification purposes. Manocha says that more than two lakh mechanics responded to theprogramme.

ZED now plans to conduct similar tailormade programmes for other professions. ``We are looking at the pharmaceutical industry for conducting similar programmes,'' he says.

ZED also offers interesting programmes for software professionals. The Net Smart programme for Internet professionals offered by ZED has two modules, one for Internet systems professionals, and the other for Internet design professionals. The NetSmart Programme for Internet Systems Professionals covers ``object-oriented programming techniques, advanced visual programming, relational database management systems, Web site development and posting techniques, Web page interactive feature building, operating systems for the Internet, Web server administration, ERP concepts and implications for the Internet and e-commerce''.

The NetSmart Programme for Internet Design Professionals includes training in ``graphic creation tools, Web page design and publishing, multimedia integration, CR-ROM authoring, 2D and 3D animation, 3Dmodelling and rendering, non-linear editing and sound and special effects manipulation''.

Both the modules are available at three different levels: entry, advanced and expert. The entry level programme addresses Internet programmers, database administrators, Web publishers and multimedia authors and animators. The advanced level caters to Web developers, Web analysts, Web publishers and multimedia authors. The expert level is for e-commerce specialists, integrated systems specialists and Internet and multimedia design professionals.

On completion of the NetSmart Professional Programmes, candidates will be offered a three-month intensive internship in any of the Zee group companies or other leading corporates.

ZED has also set up a virtual university. The ZED Virtual Univ offers a variety of carefully selected courses for careers in sunrise sectors. ``The courses are built around a unique flexible learning methodology integrating case-studies, videos, exhaustive course material, personal contact sessionsby expert faculty, Internet support on various subjects and computer practicals as required for each course,'' says Manocha.

ZED Virtual Univ also provides information regarding employment opportunities and posts the resumes of successful candidates at its Website for the benefit of potential employers.

The instructions are delivered through the nationwide network of ZED points and ZED Career Academies.

Some of the other courses offered by ZED are:

1. Certificate in Personality Development: This is a two-month programme on time management, communications skills and the various psychological aspects of personality development. Certain job-related skills are also taken up during the course of the programme. Fee: Rs 2,150.

2. Diploma in Office Administration: This is a six-month programme that provides specialised training in business correspondence, office management, PR, executive support skills and computer skills. Fee: Rs 4,400.

3. Diploma in MarketingManagement: This is a one-year comprehensive programme that familiarises students with the contemporary marketing skills and strategies and the character of the Indian market. The course curriculum includes role plays, case studies, office and factory visits, management games and interviews with senior management personnel. Most of these are encapsulated in videos. Fee: 4,150.

4. Diploma in Business Management: This is a one-year programme that provides an overview on human resource management and organisational behaviour, operations management, current practices, financial management and marketing management. Fee: Rs 4,150.

5. Diploma in Financial Management: This is a one-year programme that provides detailed information on the key concepts of financial management and on the application of information technology in accounting. Fee: Rs 4,150.

ZED is not an AICTE-recognised institute. However, Manocha says that lack of recognition has not affected the quality of ZEDprogrammes in any way.