MUMBAI: Padmalaya - Zica, which is an established animation training division of Padmalaya Telefilms, has recently launched the Apple Training Center in Hyderabad which is the first ever authorised Apple set up in India.

Earlier this year, the company had successfully rehauled the Zica brand as the most premium training institute in the field of animation film making, in the West, South and Kolkatta.

Coming to Mumbai next month and in Kolkatta by the start of 2005, these centers will cater to upcoming demand for professionals in high end software like Shake, Final Cut Pro (FCP), DVD Pro and Maya. Zica will also be launching various modules giving solutions to different needs of the industry.

Padmalaya - Zica director Rajiv Sangari said, "Padmalaya - Zica believes not only in giving training but our objective is to create careers for students. Our mission is to give more than value to our students, which can happen only by continued genuine hard work and effort."

Talking to indiantelevision.com on how the Apple tie up came through, Sanghari says, "Zica had been contemplating to start special effects and editing training, and the best partner that came to our mind was Apple. We've also has invested in all Apple G-5 machines, which are one of the best machines in the world today, and Zica can claim that our students get to learn on the best machines possible today."

Apple will provide the complete training material and prerequisite for the know-how on how to be training students. That apart, students will receive an Apple certification in association with Padmalaya - Zica.