Educating, the MDI way

Taking Indo-US academic exchanges to anew level, the Gurgaon-based Management Development Institute (MDI) recentlyorganised a fortnight long programme which dealt with the multifaceted businessand cultural environment of the country.Organised under the umbrellaof Centres for International Business Education and Research or CIBERS, thetwo-week programme saw 15 senior faculty from University of Connecticut,University of Memphis, University of Pittsburg, University of South Carolina,University of Wisconsin, University of Colorado, University of Illinois andBrigham Young University getting an overview of the economy, government, social,cultural and business environment of India. The participants were senior levelprofessors from the areas of finance, operations, marketing, economics, MIS, andInternational Relations and business.The professor and chairman,Operations Management at MDI and programme co-ordinator CIBER, Subhash Dattasaid: "These kind of initiatives help in cultural, social, economic andpolitical integration. The programme provided the faculty of the sixuniversities a platform for better understanding of the country."Thetwo-week programme saw discussions range from ''New Economic Landscape'',''Educational System in India'', ''Social and Cultural Aspects of India,''Challenges before Indian Economy'', ''India-US Business Relations'', ''IndianForeign Policy'', ''Transportation System in India'', ''Banking Scenario'', ''India ITIndustry'' and many more.Among the distinguished speakers whoaddressed the participants were Dipankar Gupta of JNU on social stratification,Indian Foreign Policy was discussed by Aswini Ray of JNU, Chandan Mitra, chiefeditor of The Pioneer introduced them to issues related to the vibrant media inIndia while Ranjana Kumar, chairperson, NABARD and enthralled the audience withthe emerging financial scenario.A professor of political science atUniversity of South Carolina, Gordon B Smith, remarked, "What I find hearteningis that there is strong commitment for the upliftment of under-privileged in thecountry. When government and institutions are committed for the welfare ofpeople, it can do wonders for progress of any society."An associateexecutive director of the office of International Affairs and associateextension professor of Latin American Studies at the University of ConnecticutElizabeth Mahan was fascinated by what she saw and learnt during the two-weektrip. Mahan said, "Comparisons can be drawn between India and other developingcountries. We have been fascinated by the concept of rural economy, andrelationship, which exists between village and cities. The concept of migrantworkers along with focus on industrial development in the country helped us toknow more about the culture and tradition."A professor of Finance atUniversity of Connecticut, Shantaram P Hegde felt that these kind of academicexchanges will help in bringing world''s two largest democracies together, andIndia can emerge as a better and reliable economic and political partner of theUS in the days ahead.