A new dawn in education

Joshi’s company, Harbinger has developed a package that helps in training yourself in any subject/topic using a computer. In simple words it is something like a do-it-your-self kit. This is the first such Indian software. The software, CBT-PRO, helps in creating computer-based training programmes. It is like a simulated classroom and can substitute manpower in conducting teaching/training programmes.

“In our education system the focus is the teacher and the teaching, and our software helps in shifting this focus to the learning and the learner,” says Joshi.

An engineer from IIT, Mumbai and a post graduate from the Syracuse University, USA, Joshi was working in the area of artificial intelligence and organisational knowledge management. He returned home in 1989 when the computer boom was yet to take off. “Artificial intelligence was considered an esoteric subject and at that time, knowledge management people were not taken seriously,” says Joshi.

For survival, he did a teaching stint at the computer department of the University of Pune. He guided his student, Swati Ketkar, on a project on the `intelligent tutoring system’ which was picked up by Mumbai’s Agarwal Classes. They wanted Joshi to develop a computer-based training programme for students of Physics. Though nothing much came out of this, it sowed the seeds of future businesses

in the form of Harbinger Systems. Joshi was enthused as it was a step in the direction of providing information technology solutions in the area knowledge management, his pet project. Ketkar Joshi joined the company and today is the executive director of Harbinger.

Computer-based training is not a new concept but in India it did not have much of an acceptability. Joshi found a backer in the US for the package he had put together for computer-based training (CBT). His first project was a CBT tutor for Arabic language. This was followed by a Yoga software. Both these technologies were licensed to two American companies. Harbinger entered into an agreement with the US company wherein the package would be owned by the US company but the knowledge and technology would belong to Harbinger. So while the monetary benefit was less, it managed to keep within the company, the know-how and build upon for further developments. The Arabic language package got good exposure and sold 10,000 copies.

One reason why CBT had not caught on was that the earlier generation CBT programmes were dull, text-based and needed tedious programming which put off many potential users. So Harbinger was keen on developing a non-programming authoring CBT Systems, which essentially meant you did not need a computer programmer to use this software. Anyone could use the package and create their training programme. This was the USP of Harbinger’s CBT-PRO software. CBT-PRO is also an interactive multimedia course development system that uses various tools required for training such as audio/visual objects, glossary, question/answer sessions, automatic trainee evaluation and feedback. The authoring package is flexible and you can keep making changes according to your needs.

Armed with this kind of authoring software Harbinger Systems has built an impressive clientele that includes IDBI, ICICI, Kotak Mahindra, SIICOM and the National Insurance Academy among others. IT has also found that application in several defence establishments in and around Pune. Joshi is now planning further expansion. His company has essentially been a company with a focus on development and Joshi is keen on having a market culture. For this purpose, another company was set up called Harbinger Knowledge Products Pvt Ltd for looking after the marketing and distribution of CBT-PRO with Ketkar at the helm of affairs. True to their word, Joshi and Ketkar at Harbinger are trying to herald a new dawn in training and education.