Religare Commodities, a wholly owned subsidiary of diversified financial group Religare Enterprises, has launched a specialised management course in commodities in association with Manipal Universal Learning  Pvt Ltd, the company said in a filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The Certificate Programme on Commdities will be a blend of classroom training and job training, the release said.

On successful completion of the course, the students are likely to be placed in the sales and distribution function of Religare Commodities as relationship managers.

''The association between Religare Commodities and Manipal Universal aims to provide a programme for developing sales and distribution professionals in the commodities sector," said  Kamlesh Dangi, human resource president, Religare Enterprises.

The inaugural programme under this course will start on 11 May in Lucknow, the company said.

Manipal Universal Learning is a resource development centre for Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical and Technological Sciences and Manipal University.

Manipal Universal has been offering student support services for distance education programmes and also short term courses on information technology.

''We need talented and trained manpower in the commodities business and this course will provide the much needed human resource,'' said Jayant Manglik, president. Religare Commodities

This is the first time that a university in India is offering a course on commodities. However, MCX and NCDEX offer course on commodities, though they don't have any tie-ups with universities.