NIIT to acquire Element K, a leading US learning solutions provider

Element K to function as an independent operating entity with Stephen Hoffman continuing as CEO

New Delhi/Rochester, NY, July 27, 2006: NIIT Global has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Element K, a leading provider of learning solutions in North America. The transaction is expected to close within two weeks.

Together, NIIT and Element K will emerge as the leading global provider of comprehensive learning solutions, with more than 3,000 employees, over US$ 250 million in revenue and a presence in 32 countries.

Element K’s US$ 80 million learning solutions business leverages its renowned technology Knowledge Hub™, and an award-winning suite of more than 3,500 courses.  Its learning solutions are enhanced through custom content development and strategic learning services, to address specific business challenges.

 “This acquisition is consistent with our stated plans for accelerated growth in developed economies,” stated Vijay Thadani, CEO of NIIT. “Element K has an established base of highly satisfied clients in the United States and Canada, and a well respected brand in the training industry. They are moving successfully into the North American Learning BPO marketplace, and will benefit from NIIT’s global presence and complementary learning services,” he added.

“We are very pleased to become part of NIIT’s global learning business,” said Stephen Hoffman, CEO of Element K. “We look forward to leveraging their global reach and range of SEI-Level 5 assessed learning services. We believe NIIT will benefit from our extensive catalogue of e-learning and instructor-led courses, hosted learning platform (KnowledgeHub^TM), and excellent reputation in the US corporate training market,” he added.

The unique and combined offerings strongly position NIIT and Element K to emerge as the leader in the Learning BPO marketplace.  Key customer benefits include:

Global Reach Through a combined presence and established reputation in 32 countries, customers will access global learning solutions with local support.

Global Efficiency With operations and development staff around the world, customers will have access to the right balance of local and remote resources based on project requirements.  They will also benefit from NIIT and Element K’s flexibility, scale and quality processes.

Comprehensive Solutions NIIT and Element K have the collective experience and capabilities to deliver best-in-class learning solutions that deliver real business results. Both organisations have nearly 25 years of experience providing learning solutions.

Together, NIIT Limited and Element K will strive to be the first and best choice for learning solutions.

About Element K (www.elementk.com)

Element K delivers learning solutions – a tailored combination of our catalog content, technology and services – supporting the learning needs of the Corporate, Government, Education and Training Centre markets. We are equipped to build new Learning Solutions using our core assets – 2,300 catalogue e-learning courses, a learning platform, 1,300 print courseware titles, custom content, systems integration and services – or, to address persistent issues in existing programmes. The company’s proven training methodologies and wide spectrum of content are delivered through a variety of formats, including self-paced and instructor-facilitated online courses, vLab® hands-on labs, instructor-led courseware, comprehensive e-reference libraries, technical journals, and KnowledgeHub™, a hosted learning management platform.  Element K employs over 700 professionals.

About NIIT (www.niit.com)

NIIT, an acknowledged leader in the IT and IT-assisted training space, offers learning and knowledge solutions in over 30 countries. NIIT's range of offerings in the e-learning domain is bolstered by its SEI CMM Level 5 assessed Corporate Solutions Business which has emerged as a leader in the field. The corporate business offers integrated learning solutions that range from strategy and design to development, implementation and administration.

Element K Contact:

David Snider

ElementK

E-mail: David_snider@elementk.com

Phone: +1 585 214 6327

Fax:  +1 585 295 9001