IT bytes in Malabar

KOZHIKODE: With a mission to make Malabar the next IT hub of the state, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Thursday organised Malabar IT Conclave in Kozhikode. Eminent experts from both the IT and industrial sectors were part of the major conclave held here. The Objective was to develop the IT and IT Infrastructure facility in the North Malabar region and to bring the finest companies together to invest in and thus to make North Malabar as a major IT destination.

“Even though a grand set up has been put in place at Kozhikode to development it as a major IT hub, due to various factors the efforts put in for it are going vaguely,” Hrishikesh Nair, chief executive officer of IT Parks Kerala told the gathering. “The major hindrances are the lesser scopes in connectivity, branding and digital infrastructure. Kozhikode is ranked among one of the best cities in India to reside in, considering the parameters such as health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment. It has some of the best infrastructures. But so far we could not tap this opportunity, and hence we are in an attempt to utilise them.”

Considering the available facilities, North Kerala has all the potential to become the next IT hub of Kerala after Kochi and Trivandrum, feels K.E. Shanavaz, CII Kerala chairman. "There are over 60 IT companies presently operating in and around North Kerala, in different locations,” he said. “Our focus is not just building infrastructure, but also to develop good educational institutions so that we can develop quality workforce here.”

Experts deliberate ways to attract young talent

The Malabar IT Conclave discussed the ‘Resurgence Malabar — the IT Factor’ on Thursday. “The youngsters prefer to work away from their homeland,” Nithyanand Kamath, MD of Ace Group, told the gathering. “Discussions went on with how youngsters can be attracted to work in the IT industry in Malabar and to Kerala because youth prefer to work at Bengaluru and cities away from Kerala”.
Duleep Sahadevan (co-founder & CEO of software associates), Roshan Kynadi (director of Kynadi Plantations), Harris P.T. (president of CAFIT & director of M2H Infotech LLP), Anil Balan (IT consultant & mentor & Last Mile Consultants Pvt.Ltd) and Arun Sivapalan (chief operating officer of UL Cyber Park, Kozhikode) were the panel members.

There were discussions regarding the lack of mentorship and funding and how can it be strengthened for getting good outcomes. Also, it was found that there is a growing need to promote and support startup companies, Mr Kamath added. The final session was on the topic ‘IT Skilling in Rural Areas - the Opportunities and Way Forward’. Santhosh Kurup who is the chief executive officer of ICT Academy of Kerala moderated the session. He said jobs are going away and not shrinking. Around 60% of jobs in Kerala will all go away in 10 years. Manoj Banthia (head of SAP Education) said that students should be taught to liberate technology in education. Using IT to run a business more efficiently should also be considered.