Harvard Business School names hall after Ratan Tata

The name of Ratan Tata, chairman of Tata Group, who is due to retire in December 2012, gave a grant of $50 million to his alma mater Harvard Business School, will adorn the newest executive complex building at the prestigious US institute.

Harvard Business School (HBS) recently held a ground breaking ceremony to start the construction of Tata Hall.

Among those present at ground breaking ceremony were Ratan Tata, a 1975 graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Programme for senior executives; Dean Nitin Nohria and former Dean Jay Light.

Located on the northeast corner of the School's campus in Boston, according to a media release, Tata Hall will enhance and extend the School's portfolio of Executive Education programme offerings.

The building will house executives who come from around the globe to advance their education and then return to strengthen their organisations, thus furthering the HBS mission of educating leaders who make a difference in the world, it said.

"I'm happy and proud to give something back to an institution that has done so much for me and for others. It is a great honour to play this role and to leave a lasting imprint on the Harvard Business School campus. I hope Tata Hall does great things for the people who live and move through this valued institution," said Tata.

"We look forward to welcoming remarkable leaders, investing in their education, and contributing to their ability to make a profound difference in the world," said HBS Dean Nitin Nohria.

The arc-shaped, seven story, glass and brick building will feature living spaces, classrooms, and common spaces to help build community among the nearly 10,000 participants who attend Harvard Business School Executive Education programmes each year, the university said.