Thiruvananthapuram: Foraying into healthcare education, mini-ratna public sector undertaking and leading condom manufacturer HLL Lifecare Ltd has tied up with the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to commence two courses in clinical engineering and management, a statement said on Saturday.

In a press release issued here, HLL said it decided to enter the education sector at a time when country is short of qualified professionals in the healthcare management sector.

The company has floated a new wing named HLL Academy to launch the two courses: Post Graduate Diploma Course in Clinical Engineering and Management (PGDCEM) and Post Diploma Course in Clinical Engineering and Management (PDCEM).

The courses will begin from January 2012.

The programmes, having two semesters of six months each, will be held in distance education mode with contact classes. The curriculum has been designed to fulfil the requirements of healthcare institutions, procurement service agencies and equipment manufacturers.

"This is for the first time, such programmes are launched in the country. Our aim is to impart quality education in inter-disciplinary fields of health sciences and technology. Initially, HLL Academy will function as part of the corporate establishment. We plan to create a separate not-for-profit educational institution," said HLL CMD M. Ayyappan.

The other programmes in the pipeline by the academy are in the areas of social marketing and good manufacturing practices. It also plans to launch M.Tech and MBA programmes.

HLL produces over 1.316 billion condoms annually. Its staple 'Moods' brand of condom is available in 19 variants and was adjudged a 'super brand' and 'power brand' in India.

Over the years, HLL have diversified their line of business from just being a condom manufacturer and have now entered the business of construction, and setting up of hospitals. IANS