ETS, NIIT Announce Strategic Alliance in India

New Delhi, Jan.17: Educational Testing Service (ETS), the world's leading educational measurement and research organization, and NIIT, a leading Global Talent Development Corporation and Asia's largest trainer have entered into a strategic alliance to offer ETS suite of products in India. The new initiative will enhance employability and provide competitive advantage to Indian organizations in the global market place.

As part of the strategic agreement, NIIT will have exclusive rights to offer ETS's TOEIC(r) test (Test of English for International CommunicationT), TOEFL(r) Practice Online (TPO), and CriterionSM Online Writing Evaluation Service--in India. The multi-year agreement with NIIT will also enable both the companies to raise awareness of ETS products and services in India.

The TOEFL(r) test is the world's most popular academic English language examination, accepted by more than 6,000 universities in 160 countries, and the TOEIC(r) test is the global standard for communicative English ability in the international workplace. The TOEIC(r) test is offered in about 60 countries around the world. More than 5,000 companies, government and public offices and other organizations, across the world use the TOEIC(r) test.

"We are pleased to enter into this strategic relationship with NIIT and we welcome them as our Country Master Distributor in India," says David Hunt, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of ETS' Global Division. "This agreement will provide companies, institutions and individuals in India with greater access to key ETS products such as the TOEIC test, TOEFL Practice Online and Criterion to help them succeed in the world of ducation and business."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vijay K. Thadani, Chief Executive Officer, NIIT, said, "India is poised to be a talent hub for global manpower needs. In our efforts of developing global talent, we are happy to partner with ETS to enhance employability of individuals and help large Indian rganizations become more competitive in the global market place."

The agreement comes at a time when millions of people throughout the world are learning English; workplaces are increasingly becoming more globally focused; and workforces are more culturally diverse than ever. In addition, non-native English speakers outnumber native English speakers by more than three-to-one, an accelerating trend worldwide.

Through this alliance, NIIT will leverage its Testing and Assessment capabilities to offer ETS' tests to students, professionals and job aspirants who seek to evaluate their English Communication skills for employment prospects in emerging sectors such as IT, ITES, Retail, Banking and Insurance, among others in India.

ANI