US varsity to explore tie-ups with Mysore B-school

After a 20-day exposure to Indian business and culture and the working of the global-level companies at the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheswara Institute for Management Development (SDM-IMD), a team of 16 management students from the University of Minnesota, USA, are returning home impressed on the Indian business and industrial scenario. The university is also looking for more tie-ups with Mysore's graduate B-school.

"It was an incredible experience for our students," said Rajiv Vaidyanathan, Professor of Marketing and MBA Director, University of Minnesota, who has brought the student-team and added, "We want to develop it further. This is our first visit. This could lead to more such closer relations now on. The next step would be more of joint common programmes. I am hoping to see more students from here would visit us also. It has to be a two-way system. We look forward to more such tie-up"

During their 20-day stay at the aesthetically built campus, the Chamundi Hills offering a beautiful ambience, the visiting students had exposure to the varied dimensions of Indian business as it stands today.

They were exposed to subjects like business ethics from Indian scriptures and Gurus, logistics and supply chain management, supplies from India meeting the global standards-partners in progress, HR and business relationship, Indian service industry-growth and opportunities, and Indian perspectives in international branding by business, academic leaders and SDM-IMD faculty.

They saw the business culture and work conditions in global companies like Infosys, L&T, AT&S, Automotive Axles and TVS, which they found no less than an American company. Nilsen Nancy, who has worked for about two decades in the IT industry in the US, and now in the student-team, for example, minced no words in applauding the Infosys Mysore campus. "I was comfortable studying here. I could stay here (in Mysore) and work, in a place like Infosys," she remarked.

For persons like Nancy working in an Indian IT company would not be difficult. For, the IT terms and communication skills and standards are the same as in the US. "I could stay here and work. I would be comfortable. This is the type of experience we had," Nancy narrated at an inter-active session with the media in the campus today.

Gene Astolfi, another student, justified in a way the course theme, "On a clear day you will see India everywhere. India drives the world economy," when she said she saw a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the businesses here. Agreeing with Gene, Merry Morud said how his expectations had changed after visiting the factories and companies, and meeting with the business executives. "The factories were fascinating. I love it. I love to come back," he said praising Mysore's hospitality, cleanliness, and calm and quiet atmosphere.

Both the SDM-IMD and visiting students and the two faculty groups had discussions on the issue of offshoring and the impact on both India and the US economy.

The visiting students admitted there was resentment in the US for offshoring, because they had lost jobs. However, their attitude was changing slowly realising the benefits they are sharing.

The US students also studied India's political/economic systems, culture, ethical, and legal environments that affect business operations and found how the employees, for example in Kirloskar had established a close bondage with the company, though they found things had to improve in some government-run industries.

They saw several commonalities in the MBA courses run here and their University in Minnesota. Comparing the US, they found the work culture much more relaxed here. "We saw a number of positive aspects," said Nancy.