The MBA-IMS programme is intended to provide the IT professionals with a vision 'learning while earning' where classes will be held mostly on weekends. The duration is of two years with traditional (non-semester) pattern of examination.

Under the pact, Annamalai University will provide all academic support including evaluation, conducting exam by external examiners where HCL Learning will deal with practical training by experts and classes will be conducted at its specific study centres with faculty exchange mode.

Addressing the gathering, Anand Ekambaram, vice-president of HCL Learning, said as the corporate industry demands quality management resources especially in the fields of infrastructure and security management, employees can hone their skills while they are in jobs.

He further said, the course will be delivered by industry experts from this academic year where another 50 centres for this purpose will be come up with all modern equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, M Ramanathan, Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University said as there is an essence for academic and industry interaction in the country and the new programme would enable candidates to understand the complexity of the industry in an competitive environment.

The Master of Business Administration degree programme will help equip students and praciticing executives and managers working in private, public sector undertaking, banks educational institutions and other similar organisations. The programme will also enable course takers to enrich their managerial skills, decision-making skills, and to enhance their problem solving ability through case studies, lecturers, role-plays and business games with special focus on IMS, the release said.

M Rathinasabapati, registrar and S B Nagaswara Rao, director of distance education of Annamalai University participated.