There used to be a time when the youth aspired tobe either a doctor or an engineer. Then came the management schools and their fat salaries which created a shift in people’s preference and made Management a buzz word.

So what could be the next shift? Or the next in thing in education? Well i dont know about India but seeing the popularity of the Internet and the way web 2.0 has made college dropouts millionaire’s in the US the universities have started offering courses in web 2.0! Probably a boon for the internet startups in US as these universities would impart basic web 2.0 skills and im sure many industry players would love to give guest lectures and hire the young blokes. The talent shortage is supported by Cushing Anderson, an IDC analyst who says that The U.S. work force will face a shortfall of some 15 million job candidates over the coming decade and this talent shortage will be most acute in information technology, finance and sales.

Talking about the universities which have launched web 2.0 specific courses there is Carnegie Mellon West which has launched a program for a Master of Science degree in software management. Executives and engineers in Silicon Valley can earn graduate degrees at the five-year-old campus of Carnegie Mellon University in San Carlos, Calif.

There is also University of Arizona which has classes covering Web 2.0 - Developing and Maintaining Online Communities, Texas tech University - Online communities and Web 2.0.

This has made me wonder.. Can i Think of even one university in India which has started an internet focussed course which is credible?? I doubt it. With the online advertising medium growing at a 50% year on year and whats more In 2006, venture capitalists (VCs) struck 30 deals worth a total of $200 million with most of the money going to internet and mobile startups.  So the demand in internet industry for internet savvy staff is only gone rise in India. I know because i find it difficult to find young people who are internet wiz kids for WATConsult our web 2.0 strategy consulting company.

And if you ask me the ecommerce courses taught in Bschools in india are ancient. So all in all looks like a tremendous opportunity for those who do know the internet to impart knowledge and probably create a business around it. How about WATuniversity - The university for web advertising and technology! Wow me and my ideas! Maybe one day it may be true.. Any investors interested? ;)

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