Sydney, Dec.12 (ANI): TATA Consultancy Services has signed a memorandum of understanding with New South Wales TAFE to run some of the technical college's courses in India.

According to S. Ramadorai, the global CEO and managing director of TCS, a good meeting had taken place with New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma, and it was decided that TCS would promote TAFE courses in India and also provide them in local languages.

"We haven't confirmed which courses would be selected yet. TCS and TAFE are working together on a detailed business plan," Ramadorai told The Australian.

The alliance is a first for both parties, and is a follow-up to Iemma's recent visit to India.

Work is also underway to develop an innovation lab in Sydney to showcase next-generation banking technologies, Ramadorai said.

He , however, said that he could not reveal investment figures but said the facility would be ready in six to nine months, starting with a core team of 10.

Apart from Sydney, TCS would launch an embedded systems facility in Tokyo in February and a Microsoft centre of excellence in Beijing in the second quarter of 2008, he added.

TCS has 20 innovation labs around the globe. Solutions showcased at the labs are implemented by customers the world over.

Last year, parent company TATA Group formed a partnership with Woolworths to open 30 electronics superstores in India.

Ramadorai said the company was actively looking to acquire companies in Australia that would improve its portfolio. (ANI)