GERMAN software major SAP has launched a course to train students in industry best practices in the area of enterprise resource planning (ERP).

According to Eric MacDonald, SAP's South East Asia president and CEO, the course - which is supported by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) - will give future professionals hands-on experience with SAP solutions using SAP training systems. 'This will help meet expected strong demand for SAP-trained professionals,' he said.

SAP has, under its University Alliances Program, launched the 'Integrated SAP ERP Business Scenarios based on SAP Best Practices (BP for ERP)' course at seven institutes of higher learning in Singapore: Nanyang Polytechnic, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic.

Under the global University Alliances Program, universities and polytechnics can use SAP software in the academic environment. 'Through demonstrations, hands-on exercises and case studies, students are able to put theory into practice, thereby enhancing their educational experience and employability,' Mr MacDonald noted.

Two lecturers from each of the seven participating institutes will attend the 10-day BP for ERP course. These instructors will be provided with the course contents, as well as access to the SAP training system with which they will use to train their students.

The first batch of students will undergo the course in May 2007. At least 1,000 students are expected to benefit from this course by 2010.

Supporting the course under its Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Programme (CITREP), IDA will allow students who pass the BP for ERP course certification examinations to claim up to half of the $400 certification fee.

This SAP certification, which is recognised globally, is one of the first steps on the certification pathway to becoming a full-fledged SAP consultant.

Describing the programme as innovative, Mr MacDonald added: 'It's part of our continuing collaboration with institutes of higher learning to enhance the value of our local graduates in the global knowledge economy. It also aims to provide enough trained SAP professionals to meet the growing demand for them.'

This article first appeared in BT on March 29, 2007