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Infosys may begin campus hiring in 2010

After delaying campus recruitments this year, bellwether IT company Infosys is likely to visit colleges for fresh hiring in January next year.

"Most probably we will be going to campuses in January after we assess the situation. Since there is a slowdown and if the situation improves, we will be going to campuses," Infosys CEO and Managing Director S Gopalakrishnan told reporters on the sidelines of a CII conference in Kochi.

About 18,000 candidates, selected from various campuses across the country last year, will soon join the company, he said.

Normally, the IT industry goes for campus recruitments a year in advance and this year due to slowdown, this process has been delayed, Gopalakrishnan, who is also CII southern region deputy chairman, said.

Text: PTI

Infosys may begin campus hiring in 2010

"There are signs of recovery in India, which is still a fast growing economy, while unemployment rates in the US are still going up. We believe by 2010 we will see the benefits. All factors point that the worst is behind us. If the trend continues, and with government stimulus package, recovery will start," he said.

On the decision of the US Government to restrict outsourcing, he said it was a cause for concern. The industry is trying to monitor the situation and work with the government and industry associations like the CII and Nasscom, he said.

Asked if the IT industry would focus on other markets, he said, "Our best markets will continue to be the United States and Europe."

Infosys may begin campus hiring in 2010

Gopalakrishnan said that corporates like Infosys had decided to focus on India and the company is looking at more system integration and large projects.

Asked if the focus would shift from IT to other industries, he said there were other sectors equally important and attractive. However, IT would also continue to be the growth sector.

"The downturn will end at some point. Already there are signs of recovery. This is the time to look at investments."

Infosys may begin campus hiring in 2010

When pointed out that in Sri Lanka, the IT sector is growing immensely, he said India was in a unique position as 500,000 engineering graduates pass out every year, it had experience in working with MNCs and will continue to be the preferred destination.

Kerala was poised to become an IT hub soon given the emerging potential in the state. The thrust given by the state government to develop IT parks in various districts would go a long way in providing economic opportunities to various stakeholders within and outside the state, he said addressing the members of the industry.

The state government had started several IT Park projects and this would help in attracting IT industry to invest in Kerala especially as the economy improved.

The Smart City Project was only one of several such projects and may be re-evaluated in the totality of the current contest, he said. The state government should decide on this, either way-- to proceed or not, he said.