Rajan T Joseph,(2nd from right) director general of C-DAC, S.S. Mantha, chairman, AICTE, and other speakers address a news conference to launch the first authorised C-DAC training centre in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 21: The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), in collaboration with Lakshya Solutions, launched its first authorised training centre, Advanced Computing Training School (ACTS), in the city today.

The centre was inaugurated by the chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), S.S Mantha, who also launched a software called Onama Version II .

Mantha said: “India has become the destination for the global IT industry. Our ability to lead, both in terms of a strong educational system and the ready availability of skilled manpower, will ena ble us to have an edge over others in the technological revolution.”

The centre will offer various post-graduate diploma courses in healthcare infor matics, information system and cyber security, advanced computing and integrated VLSI and embedded system design.

The selection process will take place in November while the 24-week-long courses are slated to begin from February 2011. There will be 120 students in each batch.

Director general of C-DAC, Rajan T. Joseph, said that this initiative would provide hands-on training to students to respond to the rigorous demands of the global IT industry. Stressing on Onama Version II developed by C-DAC,

Joseph said: “What was earlier perceived as an elite and highly advanced techno logy in the hands of a few premier institutions will now be available to educational institutions to prepare their students for the latest technological innovations.”

Executive director of C-DAC Hemant Darbari emphasised on the potential of the state as an emerging IT hub.

“We are aiming to extend our education and training programmes to nurture local talent without having to relocate youngsters. ” he said.

Lakshya chairman Priyabrata Kar said the training would generate new career opportunities for IT students.

“We are committed to deliver advanced computing training methods. This association with C-DAC will make us the first institution to have the ability to empower our students in high-end technology domains,” he added.