When one thinks of pursuing a course in business management, the rigmarole that one endures to get there is the same — jam-packed CAT or GMAT classes, figuring out the ever-elusive quants, gaining admission into coveted B-schools, and once there, graduating with a job offer which offers a salary bigger than one’s mobile number.
But such courses are more than just the routine. There are some that prepare you for far more — dual language proficiency that gives you an edge in the employment market, exposure to internships and work experience across the world, hands-on experience to put the theoretical knowledge gleaned in class to use, and more. And that is what the Post Graduate Programme in Business Administration (PGPBA), offered by the Indo-German Training Centre (IGTC), an initiative of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), does.
In conversation with Mr. Gopalan, Regional Director IGTC, who sheds light on what it offers.
Inspiration behind adopting the German policy of dual education
The bi-national chamber, various German subsidiaries and Indo-German joint ventures felt that it was difficult to find qualified office staff with basic exposure to business practices and management systems mainly because the Indian school and college education do not emphasise practical training at the shop-floor level or at offices. As the German domestic chambers of commerce offer a number of vocational training courses in Germany, in cooperation with the industry, it was felt that IGCC should organise a management school modelled along the German dual-system of education. Initially, large German companies such as Lufthansa, Bosch, Bayer, BASF and Siemens volunteered to support the initiative and also absorb students from the proposed school as interns in their organisations for hands-on training. With such encouragement by the business houses, IGCC Mumbai did not want to defer the idea of a management school based on a dual-system of education.
The PGPBA advantage
Syllabus is modelled on the content of education in leading management schools such as the IIMs. The guest and visiting faculty members have been carefully chosen based on their educational qualifications and professional experience. At the end of the 12-month theoretical lessons, the students are deployed at leading business houses, especially German subsidiaries in India or Indo-German joint ventures. In keeping with the practices in Germany, the German corporate houses allot suitable mentors for the students during their training.
The programme envisages special lectures by industry representatives on diverse current topics. Also, visiting faculty members from vocational schools in Germany are invited to address IGTC students.
Employment opportunities
The internship in leading Indian and German companies enhances the employability of candidates — it has led to students being absorbed in the respective companies. Some of them have been deputed for further training to the head offices in India or Germany.
IGTC Chennai’s exclusive programme
Fifteen fresh employees from Wuerth Group were put through a two-year programme where they spent equal time at IGTC and the company. A customised module on wholesale and foreign trade was taught additionally, as part of the general management curriculum. Such customised management programmes or modules suiting the requirements of our member companies are also conducted at IGTC, Chennai.
Employability
The 140-session exposure to German language has been found to be very useful for students, both during their internship, as well as their subsequent employment with German companies. The lessons are being imparted through a qualified German instructor from the Goethe Institute/Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai.
Other ways in which the IGTC enhances employability and career choices?
The course structure is designed from a practical knowledge perspective, to impart the specific subject knowledge that would be required to seek employment. Moreover, business communication and soft skills are part of the curriculum to groom students to succeed in interviews. Guest lectures are not confined to subjects. Instead, other skills to equip oneself to be a successful employee, are taught by experts from industries and eminent interpersonal skill professionals.