Archive
Higher education in focus
India’s higher education system is the third largest in the world, after China and the US. However, the system is limping because of a variety of issues of concern related to funding, management, enhancement of quality, reorientation of the programmes and above all making the system globally competitive. It is estimated that Indians spend approximately $ 5 billion a year for enabling their children to go abroad for higher studies. A natural question that arises in this context is that what prevents India from developing into a global hub for higher studies? Already Asian countries like Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and S. Korea are investing heavily in their higher education system for positioning themselves for leadership. The recent ranking of the world’s top 200 universities by Times Higher Education shows how well these countries are making their progress. The rank list includes 11 universities in Japan, six in China, five in Hong Kong, four in S.Korea, and two each in India and Singapore. Creating a higher education system for the country comparable to the best in the world has now become one of the critical priorities for our nation’s future because knowledge is the real driving force of our economy. We are quite aware of the challenges involved in fulfilling this task. India has a distinct advantage in this respect. We are already producing a large pool of qualified technical manpower. And many of our people find rewarding employment and promising career opportunities abroad. But, competition has become the hallmark of growth world over. Therefore, if we are to increasingly cash on this advantage and at the same time meet the growing domestic demand to support our booming economy, we need to take immediate steps to renovate and rejuvenate our higher education to bring it on par with the best in the world. It was unfortunate that for many decades quality was not a priority for us. It is time that we are competitive in this sector also. In spite of all our drawbacks, India has a few unique advantages over the other Asian countries. For example, the use of English as a primary language for higher education and for research is a plus point of our system. We have a long academic tradition to be proud of. Indian education was the best in the world in the ancient times. Our ancient great centres of learning like Nalanda and Taxila were world-renowned. We do have a few world-class institutions and centres of excellence. They can form the nucleus of our future institutions of excellence. Blindly following the American model will not be the right approach for us to produce the desired result. We may have to create our own academic models appropriate to the needs of our nation and at the same time meeting the global demands and standards. Let us look forward to the recent steps initiated by the Government of India to make the academic system vibrant in order to create a launching pad that will push forward our economic growth.
Dr. G.P.C.Nayar , Chairman, SCMS Group
A right move at the right time
April 2009 had been a historic month for SCMS-COCHIN. During the month, the Business School of a top European University, the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, had entered into an academic collaboration with SCMS-COCHIN.
I think this is the most opportune time for collaboration between an academic institution of a developed nation and that of a developing nation, which is fast growing as an economic super power.
The world is in the midst of a global recession. This so-called global recession is, however, not truly global in the real sense. It is an American recession thrust upon other nations. For America any matter affecting them is global as it is very difficult for them to see any issue as their own making. It is a recession created by a few unethical and criminal minded American businessmen.
By and large, the recession is mostly confined to America though it has in some way spilled over to Europe and other parts of the world. Nevertheless, it has not affected Asian nations much. And certainly not India and China.
Unlike many developing nations, India has the advantage of a stable democracy, rule of law, a financial architecture resilient to the onslaught of external forces like global recession and a consumer base of 400 million middle class people with disposable income and a mindset to spend it for their comforts. Indian economy is not export-based like that of China and therefore even a major variation in export earnings will not affect its intrinsic stability.
While American business had laid off 5.4 million workers in 2008, mostly educated professionals, Indian companies laid off only 0.085 million workers. No major industry in India has laid off workers. Even the serious crisis in an IT major like Satyam employing 85000 workers and having operations in 164 countries did not affect the rest of the industry in any manner. This company also did not lay off any worker. Fortunately, the other day, it has been taken over by another IT major.
In spite of the recession, the Indian economy is growing at the rate of about 6% per annum. Other than China, India is the only country which has registered such a growth in 2008 – ’09, the period of global recession.
SCMS-COCHIN too is growing in spite of the recession. In quality it is one among the top 18 accredited b. schools in the country. It received two national awards — Dewang Mehta Award and Impact Marketing Award for developing and introducing highly innovative curriculum in the academic programme. It is ranked as one among the top 25 b. schools and is also one of the largest in terms of intake capacity.
With such a background it was only in the fitness of things that SCMS-COCHIN has entered into an agreement with the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland for academic collaboration to further enhance the quality level and for faculty and student exchange. We plan to work together for a better world.
On this occasion, I remember with gratitude that it was Dr. Subramanian Swamy, Chairman of Board of Governors of SCMS–COCHIN, who made this collaboration possible. It was his visit to the University a few months ago that triggered the activities leading to the alliance.
Dr.G.P.C.Nayar
Chairman, SCMS Group
The spirit of Onam
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Onam is the biggest annual festival of Kerala. It is a joyous annual reminiscence and brief recreation of the period of prosperity, peace and happiness that prevailed throughout Kerala during the golden rule of the legendary King Mahabali.
The message of Onam is very obvious. It tells us that life is for the living, and to enjoy the living. That life is a gift given to us with an opportunity to make a difference, not only in us but also among those around us. It is an occasion to bring about a difference by pooling all our resources and talents for creating abundance. It opens before us a phenomenal fun time to do what we all enjoy most as a group. It reminds us not to be worried about what we do not have, but to be aware of what we really have. It educates us not to be concerned about what we are, but to be conscious about what we can be.
It shows to us that the seed of happiness is already in us. If you are an intelligent farmer you can make it to grow into a tree that flowers and fruits for you. Apple seeds grow into apple trees, mango seeds grow into mango trees and happiness seeds grow into happiness trees. We don’t have to plant the seed of happiness, for it is already within us. No matter what our past have been, no matter how many mistakes we might have committed, the happiness seed is still in tact in us.
Onam is a laudable concept which inculcates in us a yearning for excellence by way of creating abundance, peace, togetherness and camaraderie in the midst of all our present day problems, worries, inadequacies, disagreements and tragedies. It proves beyond doubt that it is possible for us to get out of the rut and all the negativities around us by choosing the right attitude and getting totally absorbed in it like a child in play.
As usual the celebrations at our campus this year brought the best out of everyone. I could notice the kind of enthusiasm, vibrancy and fellow feeling exhibited by every one at the campus irrespective of caste, creed and status. I could see each and every one putting the heart, mind, intellect and soul to make it memorable.
I remember an incidence when I was once invited for dinner by one of my close friends. It was a fabulous treat and the fish masala was something very special and to me the most wonderful preparation in the world.
“How on earth do you make such a great fish masala?” I congratulated my lady host.
Her face glowed with pride when she said, “Thank you.”
“You must give me the recipe,” my wife Mony insisted.
“Well, Chechi, I’ll tell you,” replied the delighted host, “fish’s nothing, masala’s nothing, onion’s nothing, but when I throw myself into the dish – that’s what make it what it is.”
Indeed an eye opener to all those who seek excellence in whatever they do, whether it is cooking or learning or teaching.
Let us inculcate the spirit of Onam all through our life. When we find ourselves loving what we do, we will begin to notice how effortlessly we do our work. Whatever we happen to be doing at the moment, let us treat it as the biggest thing for us – whether it is learning or pealing potatoes.
The best preparation for a better tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well. Our works may not ennoble us, but we must ennoble our works.
Dr.G.P.C.Nayar
Chairman, SCMS Group
Overview (April08)
Making a difference in the world
The 15th annual convocation was held at SCMS-COCHIN on April 27, 2008. A noteworthy feature of this year’s convocation was the phenomenal attendance of the parents of the students on the occasion. In spite of having a spacious convention hall we could not accommodate all of them at the venue and a large number of them had to sit in another adjacent hall and watch the proceedings with the help of a closed circuit TV.
Usually we have two occasions in a year when all the parents come face to face with us. The first occasion is the inauguration of the programme. On such an occasion we could invariably observe on their faces flashes of emotions of anxiety, tension, hope, expectations and the like and a deep concern on the future of their children.
The second occasion is the convocation day when the mood will be quite distinctly different – mostly reflecting jubilance, joy, ecstasy, satisfaction, gratification, fulfillment and such cheerful sentiments. By that time all the children would have been well placed on a successful career path.
Some of the parents prefer to come to me and express their sincere gratitude. I also make it a point to go to them to share our feelings. It is a matter of great satisfaction and inspiration to me to listen to their feelings of contentment and gratitude. It actually triggers our internal power that pushes us up the ladder of growth.
The words and feelings of the parents of Vivek Namboodiri (PGDM batch 15) who claimed, this year, both the awards for excellence – the Gold Medal in academic attainments and the Best Student Award for overall performance (a very rare feat achieved for the first time by any student in the history of SCMS-COCHIN) – were particularly stimulating. They revealed that Vivek was just another ordinary student during his engineering days. But after his joining SCMS-COCHIN they could notice a metamorphosis in him, a total transformation that has now culminated in his unique achievement. They were earnest in expressing their gratitude to SCMS-COCHIN for converting him into a super star.
Inspiring success stories of this sort are the true guiding lights for us. We are here to help our students to get to their greatness. To help them reach their best at work and to make a mark. To guide them find happiness at home and in life. And when we help them to live their finest in life we get a feeling that we are making a difference in the world. That we are not walking the planet in vain. The sole purpose of our setting up a group of quality professional educational institutions in the banner of SCMS is just that.
Therefore we value very much the trust reposed in us by a large number of students and their parents year after year.
Dr.G.P.C.Nayar
Chairman, SCMS Group
The East and the West shall ever meet !
SCMS-COCHIN had the proud privilege of hosting an international conference of great significance on very crucial issues like the bilateral and trilateral relations among India, China and the U.S. at a very appropriate time. The fast growing two Asian giants are sure to become engines of global growth and reform. In all possibility, these two Asian nations will, in the near future, assume a position capable of reshaping the world order and redefining the world geo-political map, shifting the balance of power more favorably toward Asia.
This is the first time that some of the world renowned strategic experts from highly reputed institutions of the world like Harvard University, Georgia Tech University, Mercer University, all of USA, Tsinghua University, China and Hebrew University of Jerusalem of Israel have come together for a dialogue with Indian thought leaders on the crucial economic and political issues confronting the world, particularly the East and the West. SCMS-COCHIN had the good fortune of becoming the venue for this great event.
Perhaps, it is for the first time that strategic experts from the world’s only super power representing the West had a dialogue with the academicians and strategic experts of the fast-emerging economies of the East.
It is unfair to underrate India and China. In fact, fifteen years ago, no one imagined that India would emerge as a country to be reckoned with in the global economic front. So is the case with China, which was more isolated than India in the global dialogue on technology or economy. Both of them had a glorious past. Their decline started after the 15th century. At the same time, the western society registered remarkable progress and reached such a level that they could subjugate the other nations to establish their supremacy. For almost throughout the twentieth century the U.S. had been leading the world as an economic and military super power.
Celebrated writer Mark Twain thought that the decline of the East was forever. So in one of his wrings he said, “East is East, West is West. Never the two shall meet.” Incredible as it may seem, SCMS-COCHIN had the good fortune of making East and West meet and that too for a new initiative in the form of an intellectual dialogue for analyzing the future shape of equations among the super power of the West and the emerging superpowers.
Knowing each other is a tough task. Yet we all will have to do so if we are to live in peace on this beautiful planet infested with all sorts of conflicts. Only by sharing our thoughts, knowledge, skills and the vast resources available in nature, can we enrich the life of all and move forward to prosperity.
The new initiative was just the beginning. The consensus after parleys was to continue the dialogue.
SCMS-COCHIN is indebted to Dr.Subramanian Swamy, Chairman of its Board of Governors and Chairman of the global NGO, the Centre for National Renaissance, New Delhi, for organizing this international meet at our campus.
Dr.G.P.C.Nayar
Chairman, SCMS Group
One more eventful year
At the outset, let me wish all of you a very happy and prosperous new year.
We, at SCMS, have completed one more eventful year moving towards greater glory and achievements. The year 2007 was a period of consolidation, stability and consistent growth. Various institutions coming under SCMS Group scaled new peaks in performance during the period. Some of the most remarkable achievements during the year includes:
Elevation of SCMS-COCHIN as the largest B. school in India, in the autonomous sector, with a total intake capacity of 270 for its PGDM programme.
Exceptional status for SCMS School of Engineering & Technology as the most preferred choice for engineering admission among all the private self-financing engineering colleges in Kerala, as per the State Entrance Commissioner as appeared in The Hindu daily.
Approval as a Research Centre for doctoral programmes in management for SCMS School of Technology and Management (SSTM) by the Mahatma Gandhi University. SSTM is the first institution to get this status under the M.G.University.
A breakthrough by developing, for the first time in Kerala, a diagnostic kit for detecting Chikungunya virus by SCMS Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Research and Development (SIBB-R&D)
We take this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to continue our expedition to scale still higher peaks during 2008.
Having been in the forefront of the higher education sector in India for the last more than three decades, and engaged in shaping the destiny of our younger generation, I think it is time for us to have a rethinking on the purpose and role of education in moulding the young individuals to create a brighter future for the humanity at large.
It seems to me that there is need for a radical realignment and redefining of the purpose of education in the emerging socio cultural scenario. Today the focus is simply on educating the individuals to equip them with a set of skills and aggregation of knowledge to meet the needs of economic activity in the market place. In the process of shaping individuals into components of economic production we are missing the deeper meaning and higher nobler purpose of education. What we give today in the name of education is restricted to a kind of conditioning of the individual, preparing him for the limited function of fulfilling the requirements of the market economy. This fragmented education is no longer sufficient to resolve the more crucial problems we are facing in the world.
Let us try to explore the unexplored human potential embracing it fully to give rise to immensely creative and transformative approaches to life’s challenges, which will in turn touch the heart of education – the creation of a happy life to all.
Dr.G.P.C.Nayar
Chairman, SCMS Group
Overview
Education for global economic prosperity
For centuries India has been a leading center of learning. As of now, India has the second largest higher educational system in the world offering quality education in a wide spectrum of areas like engineering, technology, medicine, management, humanities, social sciences, biotechnology, agriculture etc. Although the quality of education in India is globally recognized, the majority of our educational institutions are yet to achieve acceptable quality standards to become international players.
Among the countries in Asia, India has the best opportunity to become a global destination for quality education at international standards, capable of attracting students from all over the world. Today global education is a huge market dominated by the US and the European countries, especially the UK. By making use of the enormous potential in India to become a hub of education, India could easily tap the education market in Asia. Education is not to be seen anymore just as a means to get a job or to make a livelihood, but we need to embrace the philosophy that education is for the economic growth of the society.
To me this is the right time for us to think of building our brands, by substantial improvements in terms of quality, professionalism and competitiveness. Perhaps, off-shoring India’s higher education is going to be the next big thing for us to watch.
Today, for the majority of the average middle class population in India, education has become one of the top most priority areas. They spend almost 15-20 percent of their income on education and career building of their children. A foreign degree and a career abroad have always been a dream and will continue to be so in future for our people. Realizing this great opportunity, foreign universities and institutions are competing in every possible way to enter the Indian market. The HRD Ministry at the center is flooded with applications from foreign universities looking for Indian tie-ups. While going for foreign collaborations our emphasis should be more on strengthening our system to meet world standards than just to help our youth to get global exposure. The right choices and the right partnerships can make a lasting difference and help transform our higher education sector to become an international player.
SCMS Group is now actively involved in expanding opportunities for international academic collaborations that will not only help keep SCMS competitive, but will also drive global innovation and economic prosperity.
Dr.G.P.C.Nayar
Chairman, SCMS Group
