Satyam in strategic tie-up with ECG

Hyderabad-based Satyam Computer Services Limited, a leading global consulting and IT services company, has embarked on a programme to localise the Satyam team in the Middle East with extensive regional recruitments.

The company has entered into a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Emirates Consulting Group (ECG), a member company of the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, for this purpose.

Under the agreement, Satyam will provide real-time support for projects executed by ECG with the objective of improving the local and regional IT talent pool. Besides taking the responsibility for cost and delivery, Satyam will also manage the 360-degree implementation of the project.

The alliance would entail having a healthy blend of both Arabic resources which Satyam plans to invest in along with the resources from ECG. As a first step towards this, Satyam has already brought on board Arabic nationals on existing projects.

The key objective of this drive is to reduce the reliance on Indian nationals in key program management and customer interface roles.

In another related recent development, auditors from BVQI (UK) were particularly impressed with Satyam's commitment to information security, the 'world-class' awareness campaigns and the level of maturity of ISMS and BCMS, which resulted in Satyam being re-certified for BS- 7799 standards and the continuation of ISO-9001certification.

"A country's real growth and progress is measured by the skills and capacity of its workforce. We recognise the potential in this region and believe we have a responsibility to develop local talent. One of our priorities is to initiate and support programmes that enable youngsters to realise their potential in environments that encourage maximum development."

"The knowledge transfer programme with ECG announced will involve classroom training and on-the-job training on processes and methodologies followed by Satyam," B Rama Raju, managing director of Satyam Computer Services Limited, said in a release.

"The lack of investment in information and communication technology (ICT) skills is holding back the Arab world. ICT expenditure averages 8.3 percent of GDP in North Africa, 8 percent in Europe and just 4 percent in Arab countries, according to a recent Booz Allen Hamilton report. Local talent is required to develop this sector that in turn will contribute to the creation of new industries. By partnering with ECG, we will facilitate knowledge transfer to the region to build local expertise in ICT," he added.