World over, software majors and universities are gearing up with Computer Based Training (CBT) to devise advanced on-line programmes through exercises and modules.

A random search in the Yahoo directory on the net gives 57 matches for `on-line' degree programmes, with universities offering graduation and post-graduation courses on line.

US giant Microsoft has around 32 certification programmes on its products and India's National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT) has developed over 90 CD ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) based courses under `Vista series' and has a total of 270 education multimedia titles, says Dr Amitava Mitra, Vice President, Learning Software Units, NIIT.

Besides NIIT, several other universities and institutions have introduced CBT in a modest way, while software companies have tied up with about 60 Authorised Technical Education Centres (ATECS) to provide on-line education in the country.

``We are only beginners in this field and cannot go for a big leap as the situation is not ripe for a complete on-line programme, but the trend is amazing,'' says Dr Ahmed Wahid Khan, Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

IGNOU now offers a mix of on-line and classroom based training where the students can avail the study material from the net and interact with research scholars through e-mail and tele-conferencing.

One can prepare for exams utilising multimedia kits, which provide students with CD-ROMS and information on the net. The exams are also conducted online.

Besides training on Microsoft certification courses, NIIT, which is the US company's independent courseware vendor outside India, has launched the country's first ever on-line learning facility - `Netvarsity' - based on the conventional model of a university. Its four year GNIIT course is equivalent to a bachelor's in engineering.

``Thinking on-line is the need of the hour. I appreciate all the efforts of the Government and few universities, but we should go all out for transforming learning to a true web activity from the grassroots level,'' says Amit Srivastava, Education manager of Microsoft Corporation India.

According to Sanjiv Kataria, head of Corporate Communication, NIIT's Netvarsity today has over 15,000 students worldwide. It is now working on CBT on Internet with emphasis on regional taste and interest.

``Information is just a tab away. Students and other professionals undergoing orientation courses can clarify any doubt instantly by logging in to our Varsity site. Our approach to learning through multimedia, called Learning through Exploration, Discovery and Adventure (LEDA), is unique,'' claims Kataria.

In India, Padmini Multimedia, Aptech and Jiva are providing educational multimedia but NIIT holds a major share. The market study also shows a positive trend in the sale of multimedia kits. According to media reports, worldwide revenues for NIIT alone were $119 million last year.

``As per research, by the end of this millennium, multimedia sale will fetch a revenue of around Rs 150 crore for the industry in India,'' says Dr N Bhaskara Rao, chairman, Marketing and Development Research Associates.

Rao says application of multimedia, which would increase three-fold by 2001, will promote interactive learning in the country.

Drawing the attention to the experiment done by Andhra Pradesh, where the State Government has brought 300 schools under the purview of education through multimedia, he says all other states should follow suit to impart education at the primary level.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is also spearheading a move to make CBT a reality in all Indian languages.

Dr Sudhir Keicker, the man behind JNU's move, says CBT and Multimedia related education can create ripples in the country, only when one can learn in the mother tongue.

``Today, almost all programmes are carried out in English. English being a foreign language for 90 per cent (of the people), we have to somehow hold their attention. My aim is to develop such a platform where one can have CBT in ones own language. Everything will be useful and appreciated only when one can preserve data and learn in familiar language. I will also mix audio for achieving more impact. We should always go a step ahead in arousing interest,'' says Dr Keicker.

In a similar vein, Mitra says acceptance for a product is maximum when it is available with local flavour. ``NIIT too is working on providing CBT on Internet in local languages.''

Commanding a team of 500 trained instructional design team of the global leaders, Mitra, of Bits Pilani, says India should carry out activities in this field with a focus and long term vision.

According to Mitra and other experts, there is no final word in this process of learning and India should promote research and development to find new vistas in IT by popularising multimedia education to keep pace with the world.