Columbia University's Center for Tech Management eyes larger India play

Art Langer has assembled over 200 advisors to help in building this programme

The widely-respected Center for Technology Management (CTM) under the Columbia University is looking at a larger India play as it seeks to bring its cutting-edge technology management understanding to a larger segment of Chief Information Officers (CIO) in India. As part of its global push, CTM is opening a centre in Paris during October 2014 and it is anticipating an active participation from India CIOs.

Arthur Langer Director, Center for Technology Management, Columbia University in an exclusive conversation with Business Standard said, there has been a steady increase in Indian technology professionals enrolling for the programme at Columbia and they are anticipating further growth in the forthcoming Paris chapter.

"We are getting more enquiries for the programme at Paris and we are as well looking at planning a unit in India. We are exploring various options on where to house the centre in India and we will decide on that shortly," Langer told Business Standard.

Arthur Langer is a celebrated veteran from the field of technology and prior to joining the full-time faculty at Columbia University, he was Executive Director of Computer Support Services at Coopers & Lybrand, General Manager and Partner of Software Plus, and President of Macco Software. Langer has also authored 'Strategic IT: Best Practices for Managers and Executives (2013 with Lyle Yorks)', besides a host of strategic books and has numerous published articles and papers relating to service learning for underserved populations, IT organisational integration, mentoring and staff development.

According to Langer, The Center for Technology Management encourages dialogue and collaboration among technology practitioners, students, and faculty engaged in the study of improving technology management in organisations. Global technology veterans managing Fortune 50 companies are actively involved in these programmes and which has been attracting lot of talent for its programs.

"We are dedicated to exploring the intersections of technology and business," explained Langer, who has chiselled the program drawing expertise from faculty of different schools at Columbia University, key technology industry leaders, and a group of mentors from the Executive M S in Technology Management programme.

Apurva Munshi, MD, Moody's corporation, NY, who was part of this programme says that the Columbia University's Technology management programme is an offering that enables today's executives to build tomorrow's IT organisations. "Langer has designed the programme to help nurture future technology leaders. The programme has helped me grow personally and professionally," Munsi added.

Another well-known Bangalore-based entrepreneur who recently completed the programme told Business Standard: "Columbia University's tech management program has helped the entire executive class to learn the complexities of managing large scale management of technologies in a fast-changing needs of large corporations. Art Langer has brilliantly assembled more than 200 of the best advisors to help in building this programme. Overall it was a superb two-year programme."