Prime Minister, Tony Blair, joined with Edexcel's Chief Executive, John Kerr, recently to open the latest export from the UK - the exciting new multimedia Knowledge and Learning Centre in India with Edexcel playing a key role.

The Prime Minister explored a new online BTEC HND in Computing & Business Applications. This vocational qualification from the UK is providing a framework for global e-learning development.

John Kerr and Tony Blair discussed the new BTEC qualification that is pioneering in its scope and delivery methods. It has been designed to meet India's need to grow computing and business skills and gives students the opportunity to develop their skills further in the UK.

Mr Kerr said, "We are working together with the British Council to deliver online education in India. The Prime Minister was very supportive and enthusiastic.

"We are proud to be able to show Mr Blair the results of our online collaboration with industry and education. India is naturally an important market for the UK, but skills are an international commodity. India is now becoming a valued business partner. We look forward to tackling the global eLearning market together."

Baroness Kennedy QC, Chair of the British Council, is also in India and added, "I am glad to see Edexcel working with LearnDirect on the development of online qualifications."

The BTEC NHD tutors in Delhi facilitate learning with eLearning materials, delivered both locally and from the UK, via the Internet. In turn, the tutors are supported online by lecturers from City College Manchester who are delivering the BTEC HND in Computing & Business Applications in the UK.

Successful students can proceed onto the final year of the BSc (Hons) in e-Business at Manchester Metropolitan University or to the final year of a Computing degree at the University of Northumbria. They can also progress, subject to approval, to the Chartered Institute of Marketing's Post-Graduate Certificate and Diploma, as successful completion of the HND exempts them from a significant element of this qualification. An Edexcel HND is also recognised by a large number of universities as advanced entry into degree courses.