Consortium of autonomous B-schools
The outcome of a national seminar on ‘Enhancing competitiveness of Indian B-schools with international benchmarking’ convened by the Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME), Bangalore on July 26-27, concluded with the signing of a first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding between five autonomous B-schools in India — XIMB (Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar), NMIMS (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies) Mumbai, TAPMI (TA Pai Management Institute) Manipal, Welingkar Institute, Mumbai and XIME (Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship) Bangalore — to form a Consortium of Autonomous B-Schools (CABS).
"The aims and objectives of CABS are for member institutions to pool their resources, engage in collaborative research and promote faculty and student exchange programmes to raise overall standards of business management education. Since by international standards Indian B-schools tend to be small, it makes sense to unify our efforts in the interest of members. We hope that with the passage of time the membership of CABS will grow as other quality conscious B-schools join with us," says Prof. J. Philip former director of IIM-Bangalore and currently promoter director of XIME, Bangalore.
Global Ritsumeikan Essay contest
Japan’s Ritsumeikan University and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in collaboration with the bestselling Tokyo-based daily, Yomiuri Shimbun have announced the fourth Ritsumeikan Essay contest in English open to secondary and senior secondary school students (below 20 years of age) around the world.
Participant students can select any one of the following subjects for their essay — ‘The future of communication’; ‘How can a society live without borders’; ‘Property of mankind’; ‘Healing’ or any other subject of their choice.
The contest offers four grand prizes of ¥100,000 (US$920); and four excellence prizes of ¥50,000 (US$460), besides certificates and commemorative gifts. Moreover there are special prizes for Indian participants ranging from Rs.1,000-5,000. All essays of Indian participants will be eligible for global prizes. The award ceremony for Indian participants will be held in December in New Delhi.
The last date for submission of essays is August 29, 2004. For further details, contact Prof. Satya Bhushan Verma at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (India Office), C-7A, JVTS Garden, Chhattarpur Extension, New Delhi 110 074. Tel: 011 268 031 46; Fax: 011 268 095 52; E-mail: vermasb@vsnl.com.
ICFAI University going global
The Hyderabad-based ICFAI University which has affiliates and/ or operations in 15 states across India has initiated negotiations with governments of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to set up full-fledged private universities offering technical and management education. According to ICFAI University sources, Sri Lanka is likely to permit ICFAI to operate as a foreign university, while the Bangladesh government is expected to notify it as a private varsity. Both projects are expected to take off this year. Initially, ICFAI will offer bachelor and Masters study programmes in business management and subsequently promote engineering colleges in these neighbouring countries.
"The reason for choosing these countries is that the demand for higher education there is very high. While a number of Bangladeshi students come to India to pursue higher education, Sri Lankan students find themselves on waiting lists as the number of seats available are not equal to the number of applicants to our institutions. ICFAI has been granted university status by the states of Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal and talks are on with the state governments of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa for notification of recognition status," says an ICFAI spokesman.
ICFAI offers over a dozen programmes covering fields like management, engineering, bachelor and Masters degrees in arts, social sciences and law. It earned a revenue of Rs.143 crore in 2003-04, making it one of the largest non-government universities in India.
Pan Office Systems I-Day furniture
The Bangalore-based Pan Office Systems Pvt Ltd, a pioneer in readymade school furniture (sales revenue Rs.10 crore in 2003-04) which numbers 136 schools and colleges across India among its customers has introduced a new series of chairs and tables for playhomes and nursery schools. "The chairs are in the shape of a T-shirt with a streak of the Indian tri-colour printed on them to inspire a spirit of nationalism. They are accompanied by matching blue rectangular tables which can accommodate four chairs. Since safety of children is foremost, there are no sharp edges and even the paint is a non-toxic spray. The furniture is made from eco-friendly rubberwood for strength and longevity. Each chair costs just Rs.1,200 and the matching table Rs.2,400. It is the right gift for Independence day," says Sushil Mehra the go-getting managing director of Pan Office Systems.
For further information phone 080 2668 4821 or e-mail: pan@blr.vsnl.net.in.
Sikkim-Manipal’s new distance programmes
The Sikkim-Manipal University (SMU) — a constituent institution of the Manipal Group has introduced five career-oriented courses in journalism and mass communication; fashion design; applied biotechnology and teaching technology to its distance education portfolio. Admissions for the session beginning August 2004 are open.
SMU has the largest network of 500 learning centres and 300 VSAT terminals in the country providing interactive learning programmes. SMU’s distance courseware is also supplied to select markets in Sri Lanka, the Middle East, China, Mauritius and several African partner countries. These courses are offered jointly with well-established channel partners who have a strong network in these locations.
Comments B.N. Manohar, chief executive of Manipal Infocom: "We are well aware of the need to constantly innovate, to meet the growing requirements of industry, as also of the need to adapt emerging technology to education. Through our interactive technology we ensure uniform quality education across all campuses of the Manipal network."
Programmes are delivered by Manipal faculty from a studio in Manipal ensuring access to quality education supplemented by real-time synchronous teaching. This facilitates a unique mix of instructor-led courses through online delivery. "We produce qualitatively trained professionals for new and emerging careers. The interactive medium we provide cuts across barriers to impart excellence in education," says the Gangtok-based Maj. Gen. (Retd) A.C. Sharma, pro vice-chancellor of Sikkim-Manipal University.
For further information and to download application forms visit www.miteindia.com/courses/center.asp.