BT Health to invest in healthcare, education

BT Health, part of British Telecom, is looking at India as a major destination for business and investment in the field of healthcare and education.

To begin with, BT Health, in association with the Oxford University, is launching Major Programme Management in India, the US and UK. The partners will also set up a campus and research centre in Mumbai, likely by next year.

"We see a huge opportunity for our products and services in India and this is just a beginning. We have not worked out the investment plans in India, since this programme is in a nascent stage. We are talking to various industries here. BT Health will also explore major projects in the healthcare and related sectors in India within a few years" Patrick M O'Connel, managing director, BT Health told Business Standard.

Launched in the UK last week, the BT Centre for Major Programme Management will carry out teaching programmes on leading-edge and multi-disciplinary research, for the global business community. While Oxford and its Said Business School will provide curriculum and faculty, BT Health will offer practical training and related support.

The programme will lead to an MSc in Major Programme Management, to be launched in Autumn 2008. It will include pogrammes for health practitioners, and BT Health is looking at similar programmes related to sectors like aerospace, IT, major infrastructure and defence, said Patrick M O'Connel.

"There is a professional need for high level research and education in programme management, which is not currently being served by any global business school. The traditional tools and techniques of project management are not sufficient due to the complex task of major programme management in large scale projects. Our Centres will develop and horn expertise in these three countries" he elaborated. Sources said BT Health is yet to enter into India, though it has business relationship with IT companies like TCS and Maestek.

BT has significant presence in India since 1995 and has an Indian subsidiary BT India with headquarters in New Delhi. BT has 43 per cent stake in the Mumbai based IT company Mahindra BT and has a telecom joint venture with Jubilant Enpro, a group company of pharma major Jubilant Organosys.