Dhirubhai finds a place at Wharton varsity

NEW YORK: Dhirubhai Ambani may havenever earned degrees from prestigious B-schools but he did earn a big name as abusinessman -- as a tribute to which the Wharton School has named a 300-seatauditorium after the late founder of Reliance Group.The auditoriumwas dedicated at a special ceremony in Philadelphia on Monday with amulti-million dollar gift from Anil Dhirubhai Ambani, chairman of the RelianceAnil Dhirubhai Ambani Group."I am a very proud wife and an evenprouder Indian as we commemorate the life and legacy of one of the world'sgreatest wealth creators of the modern era -- my husband the late DhirubhaiAmbani," wife of late Dhirubhai Ambani, Kokilaben said on theoccasion."We are honoured to have this outstanding opportunity topay lasting tribute to Ambani and the companies he built, and the important rolehe played in India's economic growth, Wharton Dean Patrick Harkersaid."We are deeply grateful for this outstanding gift (from AnilAmbani) and are proud to name this prominent facility for Dhirubhai Ambani," hesaid.The auditorium would be in Jon M Huntsman Hall of theUniversity of Pennsylvania.In June 1998, the Wharton School of theUniversity of Pennsylvania had awarded the Dean's Medal to Dhirubhai Ambani forsetting an outstanding example of leadership. He was the first Indian and onlythe 24th globally to have received this honour then.He wasrecognised for his work as chairman of Reliance Industries and for his role inrevolutionising the concept of investing in India through the creation of wealthand value for millions of shareholders. "It is my great hope anddesire that the naming of this auditorium will inspire and motivate many moreyoung daring minds not just from Dhirubhai's beloved India but across the worldto learn from his outstanding example," Kokilaben added.Anil Ambanireceived his MBA from Wharton in 1983 and currently serves as a member of theBoard of Overseers. Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group is one of the India's leadingprivate sector organisations, with a global customer base of over 50million.The interests of the Group range from communications andfinancial services to generation, transmission and distribution of power,infrastructure and entertainment. It's shareholder base of over 8 million isamong the largest in the world.In 2005, the Reliance Group was splitbetween Anil and his elder brother Mukesh. While the elder sibling runs RelianceIndustries, Anil manages Reliance Communications and Reliance Capital amongothers.