NIIT's new GNIIT programme trains learners in the latest technology besides imparting essential quality management skills. The programme has four unique modules on quality management developed by Philip Crosby, the world renowned guru of quality management. It is a combination of structured training and on-the-job experience as it provides industry experience through `professional practice', a tripartite relationship of a student, NIIT and the industry. The student is placed for a year while getting remunerated to gain valuable industry experience. The GNIIT programme is for four years after 10+2. It is divided into four semesters. Each semester is for 26 weeks. The first semester teaches a student to be a power user on networked PCs. In the second semester, object-oriented DBMS programming is taught in a multi-user environment. The third semester is for object-oriented application developers in networked environments. The fourth provides the required skills for a network centred software engineer.

During GNIIT, learners are required to complete an information search and analysis skills (ISAS) project in each semester, as part of a group, which involves preparation of written reports and presentations. The aim of these projects is to make learners aware of the IT industry and to inculcate in them the skills of reading, cross-referencing, abstracting, summarising and presenting conclusions about the latest technological developments. This will add to the learners' confidence in facing an audience and interviews and thus make them an all-round professional.

From day 1 of each semester, learners are required to undertake a project in a group of two, to build applications based on the knowledge and skills learnt. Learners learn to work as a team, manage project schedules and adhere to documentation standards. These projects will then be subjected to standard evaluation based on technical inputs, project demonstration, coding conventions, documentation and project reports.

To help learners sharpen their presentation skills, they are required to make presentations on projects in each semester. Learners are required to comment technically on other presentations. The seminars are also subject to a structured evaluation.

Computers are an inherent part of life today. In virtually all walks of life, professionals are expected to be able to use computers, be it management, banking, chartered accountancy, medicine or architecture.

Keeping this in mind, NIIT has designed the Short Work-programmes in Information Technology (SWIFT), which impart the very fundamentals of computers. Also, they train the learner on the all important tool of today, the Internet, giving them access to a world of information at their fingertips.

As part of SWIFT, NIIT offers the MS Office 2000 programme, which enhances desk-top productivity with powerful new tools, which help you respond rapidly to fast-changing business information needs. It also opens up exciting new ways to use the Web, share information and collaborate on projects.

The programme is best suited for those who want to upgrade from Office 95 or Office 97. There are two types of courses on offer: individual and corporate. The programme is broken up into three segments: What's New (duration: 8 hours); Proficiency (40 hours), and Expert (32 hours).