Date:05/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/02/05/stories/2008020550360700.htm

Back Capgemini to provide ‘desi touch’ for global workforce

Will replicate its university model at Hyderabad

“This centre would offer ‘Live the India Experience’ for employees who work in other parts of the world.”

V. Rishi Kumar

Hyderabad, Feb. 4 With India forming a key element of its global business strategy, it’s exciting times for Capgemini, the 83,000-people strong French technology consultancy and solutions major with over 40 acquisitions so far.

While the company recently indicated its plans to increase its headcount to 40,000 people in India by 2010, their corporate learning has already become a major thrust area.

The €7.7-billion corporation, which currently employs over 17,000 people in India, now plans to provide a desi touch to its globally distributed workforce by replicating Capgemini University — a centre of excellence for learning based at Les Fontaines near Paris — at Hyderabad.

The move is aimed at adding the deft Indian touch to corporate training.

The Vice-President and Director of Capgemini University, Mr Steven Smith, said Capgemini University, created in 1989, serves as a home, hub and heart of the company which breathes liveliness to the corporation and its large workforce.

Evolved model

Mr Smith told Business Line that the university model has evolved over the years wherein employees converge, share experiences, and learn in the real world to serve as a backbone for the corporate virtual learning systems.

This centre is very symbolic and actually serves as a base to build on relationships and that helps in bonding and seamless work culture. There is no substitute to personal interface. Last year, over 9,500 people experienced the learning at Capgemini University and 40,000 people had access to electronic learning methodologies.

“With the company growing in India and experiencing a different work environment, we decided to set up another centre in India at Hyderabad. This centre would offer “Live the India Experience” for employees who work in other parts of the world. There is lot of excitement to be part of this excitement,” he said.

2 courses

Capgemni has launched two international courses in India for its employees with the content and courses tailored in league with the Indian School of Business, and also plans to consolidate its physical presence here.