TIS launches Classedge

Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) — a division of Tata Industries Ltd — launched Classedge, an integrated learning solution for Indian schools in Mumbai on February 22. With the launch of Classedge, TIS has ventured into Indias school education sector with an initial investment of Rs.100 crore from Tata Industries. According to TIS sources, the divisions current headcount of 200 is likely to rise to 600 by December.Over the past 20 years, TIS has been developing media-rich interactive learning solutions for reputed education publishers and institutions in the US, UK, Europe and the Middle East. Classedge was developed on the strength of this solid international experience, with a commitment to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Indian classrooms. Indias supplementary education sector represents a $15 billion (Rs.67,500 crore) market opportunity over the next decade and we plan to target schools in over 100 cities this year. We are committed to expanding the market and establishing a leadership position in this segment, says Sanjay Sharma, chief executive of TIS. Adds Kishor A. Chaukar, managing director of Tata Industries Ltd: A strong education system is a prerequisite of socio-economic development and in the Tata Group we are committed to the cause of making world-class education available to the young people of India. We are confident that with an expert learning solutions provider like TIS entering this space, the school education landscape is up for an overhaul that will bridge the education divide and provide the right skills to our children to make them self-reliant. HDFC-IWS tie up Housing Development Finance Corporation or HDFC, Indias premier housing finance company, has purchased an equity stake in Indus World Schools (IWS) for Rs.50 crore. Promoted and managed by the Delhi-based Career Launcher Pvt. Ltd — a well-known tests prep and tutorials company — IWS is a 14-strong countrywide schools chain with an aggregate enrolment of 2,800 students mentored by 120 teachers. HDFC and Career Launcher have a lot to gain from this relationship and together they can make a significant positive impact on the quality of school education in the country, says Renu Sud Karnad, managing director of HDFC. Satya Narayanan R, chairman of IWS, is equally pleased with HDFCs vote of confidence. HDFC is a role model organisation which we would like to emulate in many aspects, including leadership, and for their commitment to social values. We could not have asked for a better partnership at this stage, says Satya Narayanan. HUS Chennai invites admission applications The Hiranandani Upscale School (HUS), Chennai, a K-VIII institution affiliated with the CBSE, Delhi and IBO, Geneva examination boards and promoted by Hiranandani Upscale, invites admission applications for the new academic year 2011-12. Situated within the integrated community of Hiranandani Upscale, Chennai, HUS offers primary students the world-class learning environment, faculty, and facilities that have firmly established the Hiranandani schools in Powai and Thane among the Top 10 K-12 institutions in Mumbai, Indias commercial capital. At a time when children are under tremendous pressure to perform, be…