The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), a popular distance learning university, is offering a six-month online course to train people to work in the Indian Outsourcing and BPO industry.

The University states that it has got a good response to the "Business Process Outsourcing-finance and accounts" course and are optimistic about their graduates being welcomed by the BPO industry says a report in the Times of India.

A large number of the students who have enrolled for this course are from the commerce and accountancy streams. The diploma course that runs in batches of 50 students offers a mix of both weekend classes and an 'online lab' which simulates the working environment of a BPO.

NASSCOM statistics state that more than 1.1 million people are employed in the BPO industry in India with a significant number below the age of 30. The industry is expected to employ 2.5-3 million professionals by 2010, contributing 7-8% of the national GDP.