Corporates are known to scout for talent at educational institutes, cherry-picking the best from the lot of graduates. | |
| But this is a first in the case of some colleges such as the Mumbai-based HR College, where corporates actually groom the potential talent while they are still studying. |
| |
| "We are hoping our efforts will be repaid as these students can then join us when they complete their graduation," said Bill Lisle, chief agency officer, ICICI Prudential Life Company. |
| |
| ICICI Prudential Life will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HR College on Monday, which introduced a bachelor degree for banking and insurance. |
| |
| "We have a strong philosophy wherein we believe that academics and industry should interact, as currently a large chunk of education of undergraduates is theory-oriented," said Indu Shahani, principal of HR College. |
| |
| Of the 60 students opting for the Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS), 18 students are already selling ICICI Prudential Life policies. |
| |
| According to Lisle, their performance has been impressive, adding: "It's a good way to sell policies because students are enthusiastic. They have high energy level and are trainable, which makes it easier for us." |
| |
| Of the 60 students at HR College's degree course, 18 have undergone Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda) agency training and have started selling life policies. Incidentally, ICICI Prudential's top selling 500 agents includes students. |
| |
| HR College is running its outfit on corporate lines, in that it offers undergraduates exposure to the corporate culture. The idea is to sign up with a number of corporates for hands on experience and industry exposure. |
| |
| Aside from ICICI Prudential Life Company, HR College has tied up with Rabo Bank, Mahindras and IMC's ladies wing. |
| |
| Through these MoUs, HR College is able to invite guest lecturers, and offer its students summer placements as well as opportunity to undertake research projects. |
| |
| "This helps facilitate the transition these students face from college to career," said Shahani. |
| |
| "We wish to offer our students a more dynamic and relevant curriculum that is holistic and pertains to the industry as education for undergraduates is very theoretical and void of practical knowledge," said Shahani. |
| |
| HR College is not alone in its efforts to expose its students to industry practices. Some science faculties have also tied up with laboratories and undertake research work for them. HR College jointly with Rabo Bank has undertaken joint research projects. |
| |
|
| |
