Academic collaboration with

University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland

The collaboration agreement was signed by Dr.G.P.C.Nayar, Chairman, SCMS Group and Prof.(Dr.) Chandra Holm, Project Leader and Head of Delegation , School of Business, University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, at a function held at SCMS-COCHIN on April 16.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. (Prof) Chandra Holm, the leader of the delegation from the University, said that there was something common to both India and Switzerland – the brain power. The team from the University was at SCMS-COCHIN to celebrate that brain power, she added. She was all praise for the excellent hospitality extended to the visiting team and commented that it really reflected the great heritage of India.

Addressing the gathering, Dr.G.P.C.Nayar stated that the event was indeed a major milestone in the history of SCMS-COCHIN. He also expressed his gratitude to Dr.Subramanian Swamy, Chairman, Board of Governors of SCMS-COCHIN, who made the agreement possible by initiating the move that culminated in signing the agreement.

Prof.A.K.Nair, Vice Chairman, SCMS Group, and Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN, also spoke.

A team of 18 students from the University under the leadership of three professors – Prof. (Dr.) Chandra Holm, Prof. (Dr.) Beat Hulliger, and Prof. (Dr.) Ralf Wolfle – were at SCMS-COCHIN on April 16 and 17. They had active interaction with the faculty and students of SCMS-COCHIN with a view to learn more on India as a growing economic power and global player. The special focus of the discussion was on business education and business opportunities in India.

The team also interacted with a group of captains of industry and business associations in Cochin in order to assess the possibilities for Swiss- Indian business co-operation.

The professors from the Swiss University made their presentations at a seminar held on ‘Issues in doing business with India.’

The event opens up a new phase in the growth of SCMS-COCHIN by building international networks of co-operation that can provide access to global knowledge and experience to both the faculty and the students.

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

Management quiz programme

The ninth management quiz 2009 for Ghanshyam Binani Ever rolling Trophy was organized jointly by SCMS–COCHIN and NIPM Kerala Chapter SCMS campus on March 6. Shri Roy Kurian K.K., President, Binani Industries, presented the trophy to Albertian Institute of Management, the winners.

Shri Roy Kurian K.K., President, Binani Industries, presented the Ghanshyam Binani Trophy to the winning team. Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN also attended the function..

Seminar on road safety

A seminar on Road Safety Rules and Regulation, Safety Measures for Preventing Accidents was conducted on March 5 in association with Rajagiri School of Social Sciences, Kalamassery. Shri T.A.Antony, Circle Inspector of Traffic Police was the key note speaker. Dr. Radha Thevannoor, Director, SSTM and Dr.Celin Sunny, Chief Coordinator, Rajagiri Research Institute, also spoke.

Doctorate to Prof. Filomina George

Prof.Filomina P. George, Dean (AA) was awarded PhD in Economics under the faculty of Social Sciences by Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. Her thesis was on  the ‘Impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the share prices in the Indian Capital market.’ 

Orientation session

 Dr.Ram Mohan R., Director, Research & Training, conducted an orientation session to two batches of senior managers of Federal Bank on February 12 and 16, at their staff training institute.

Collaboration in research

SCMS-COCHIN has entered into a collaborative research agreement with University of Central Lancashire, University of Manchester, United Kingdom, YAALEX, a NGO in Ghana and Institute of Finance Management, Dar-is-Salaam, Tanzania to jointly submit a research proposal to British Council on a scheme under Development of Partnerships in Higher Education (DelPHE). Dr.Ram Mohan R, Director, Research and Training will be the project coordinator and SCMS-COCHIN will be the lead institution. Dr. Arun TG, Reader in International Finance, University of Central Lancashire and Prof. David Hume of University of Manchester, UK will be visiting the SCMS-COCHIN in March, 2009 for  a one day seminar on Micro finance we propose to organize

Course designing for NRHM

 SCMS-COCHIN has been selected for development of standardized course designs for three categories of functionaries under the NRHM. The SCMS-COCHIN will also be organizing the entire training for all functionaries under National rural Health Mission (NRHM) in four districts of Palakkad, Trichur, Kozhikode and Malappuram in Kerala..

MDP for Carborundum Universal

A two-day Management Development programme in Marketing and Sales was conducted for the executives of Carborundum Universal on March 11 and 12.

Paper presented

• Prof. Jose Paul presented a paper on Captive Vs Third Party – A Strategic Approach to Outsourcing at the     National Seminar on Strategic Marketing for Emerging Environment, organized by School of Management Studies, CUSAT, Cochin on February 20 and 21.

Students’ achievement

•                V.Sreedevi and Nishi Anne, Batch 17 PGDM students, attended the first national meet on climate change for the      youth, YUVA, organized by The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, on February 2 and 3.

Workshop attended

Prof. (Dr.) Mercia Selva Malar attended a workshop on Case Methodology at Thiyagarajar School of Management, Madurai, from February 16 to 18.

International Symposium on Microfinance

There is growing consensus among the corporate that B. Schools should adequately equip the future managers on microfinance and its management in order to effectively address the problem of poverty in the society and to empower the marginalized weaker sections. In this context an International Symposium on Microfinance: Challenges and Opportunities was held at SCMS-COCHIN on March 27, 2009.

Inaugurating the symposium, Prof.A.K.Nair, Vice Chairman, SCMS Group, described microfinance as an important instrument for helping the poor. Any growth without equity and balance would be undesirable, he emphasised.

Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN, Dr.Ram Mohan R., Director, Research and Training, Dr.Arun Thankom, Reader in International Finance, Lancashire Business School, UK., and Prof. David Hulme, Professor in Development Studies, University of Manchester also spoke in the inaugural session.

The first session chaired by Dr.(Prof.) M.Appala Raju, dealt with the International and Kerala perspectives of microfinance.

• Dr.Arun Thankom, University of Central Lancashire, spoke on Microfinance – A Macro Prerspecive.
• Prof.David Hulme, University of Manchester, presented his paper on ‘Assisting the Poorest: Learning from an International Experience.’
• Dr.Filomina P. George, Dean (AA), SCMS-COCHIN and Shri M.Sudheendran, Lecturer, jointly presented an overview of microfinance in Kerala.

The second session, chaired by Dr.Filomina P. George, was on the ‘Impact of Microfinance Institutions.’ 

• Smt.Tani Thomas, Asst. District Mission Coordinator, Kudumbashree Mission presented the social and economic aspects of MFI in Kerala.
• Dr. (Prof.) S.Mercia Selva Malar and Smt.Asha E.Thomas, Lecturer, gave a presentation on ‘How real is the women empowerment – the microfinance way?’

In the third session on Microfinance regulation: Perspective of different stakeholders, Dr.V.Raman Nair was in the chair.

EARTH ’09 – International Conference on  Green Management

A balanced and holistic approach to environmental management and risk reduction had become the immediate necessity for the very survival of the human race on this planet, said Hon’ble Justice Thottathil B.Radhakrishnan while inaugurating the two-day International Conference – Earth ’09 – on Green Management in a Warming World: Challenges and Opportunities, at SCMS-COCHIN on March 20.

The conference was organized by the Chair, Global Environmental Change, SCMS-COCHIN with the active support of the Association of British Scholars, Kochi, British Council, India and UNESCO Peace Chair, Manipal University.

 The objective of the conference was to create a unique platform for corporate houses, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the government to come together and deliberate upon existing green management practices and the challenges that various stakeholders face in the context of global warming and climate change. Yet another equally important objective was to provide a rich experience to the student community enabling them to understand the complexities and opportunities involved in going green.

Prof. N.C.George, Vice Chairman, SCMS Group, who presided over the inaugural session, explained the appropriateness of the selection of the theme of the conference. In his key note address, Shri Umang Patodia, CEO, GTN Textiles, argued how important it was for our industries to start focusing more on sustainable businesses.

Speaking on the occasion Mr.Chris Gibson, Director, British Council, South India, gave the warning that India’s high growth rates and rapid urbanization would lead to sharp increases in per capita carbon emissions, if not mitigating action was not taken up earnestly. Since India-Sri Lanka region is more vulnerable to the impact of climate change, millions of people in the area are facing a threat of floods and extreme weather conditions, he cautioned.

Prof.M.D.Nalapat, UNESCO Peace Chair, Manipal University, could not be present at the inaugural session. In his message he said “Kerala has led Asia in creating a better quality of life at low cost. I hope through institutions of excellence such as SCMS, the State would be able to design innovative and low cost solutions to the environmental problems.”

Shri A.J.Solomon, Manager, Education Projects, British Council, Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN and Dr.Sunil D.Santha, Assistant Professor and Chair, Global Environmental Change, SCMS-COCHIN, also addressed the audience.

During the deliberations that followed on the two days, a total of 56 presentations representing corporate houses, academia, government, media and the civil society were made, out of which 42 were peer-reviewed, the remaining being invited lectures. The sessions dealt with different themes such as environmental change and Indian businesses, the energy crisis and global warming, low-carbon futures, climate change and trade, good governance in climate change mitigation, systems thinking in sustainable development, technology and market interfaces in green management, the crisis of waste and its management, natural resource management, and environmental communication.

A special panel discussion on partnerships in low-carbon futures was held on the first day. The second day began with an invited lecture by Prof.L.S.Ganesh, Department of Management Studies, IIT-Madras on ‘Systems thinking, education and sustainable development’.

 Ms.Sally Goggin, Director (Education), British Council, India, gave the valedictory address at the concluding session presided over by Shri George Paul, Patron, ABS-Kochi.

 One of the special features of the Earth’09 was the institution of the award for the Best Practices in Green Management-2009, jointly by UNESCO Peace Chair-Manipal University and SCMS-COCHIN. Ms.Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow, Royal Institute of International Affairs, UK, presented the award to the winners, ONGC Energy Centre, New Delhi.

 Yet another significant feature was the institution of the award, by the British Council and SCMS-COCHIN, for the Best Academic Paper. The award consisting of a merit certificate and a cash prize of Rs.10, 000 was presented to the winners, Dr. Joy Mukhopadhyay and Shri.Ajit Kumar Dash, IBMR, Bangalore, by Ms.Sally Goggin, Director (Education), British Council, India, the Chief Guest at the valedictory session.

 The proceedings of the conference are being published in the form of a book, which will be a valuable resource for future scholars and practitioners. The concrete outcome of Earth ’09 could be summarized as follows:

•  The deliberations enabled the organisers to analyse the strengths and challenges of existing policies and strategies adopted by different stakeholders towards climate change mitigation in India.
•  The event also helped  to design the future course of action towards climate change mitigation and response in the region.
• It provided an appropriate platform to sensitize young minds towards the implications of greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on global warming and climate change.
• The sessions also explored deeply the role of good governance in green management, and have helped to evolve an appropriate framework integrating the role of the businesses, government, and the civil society.

The conference has also enabled us to outline certain action plans for the future. These include:

1. To offer appropriate training programmes to different stakeholders, namely, employees in industries and corporate houses, local self-governing bodies, educational institutes, etc.
2. To conduct a preparatory workshop for industries regarding the implications of the Copenhagen Convention.
3. To carry out in-depth research on different green-domains, namely, climate change and trade, agriculture, health, industries and infrastructure development.
4. To come out with a series of working papers that would discuss the relevant and current issues on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The much sought after Annual Sports and Games Meet of SCMS-COCHIN and SSTM was organized on January 15, 16 and 17 as a mega event. PGDM, MBA, MCA and PGD PR&A students and faculty members enthusiastically participated in various games and sports exhibiting boundless zeal and ceaseless team spirit.

The events on the first day were held at the Prathap Nagar campus and the events for the next two days were conducted at the FACT Grounds and Udyogamandal Club indoor stadium. Competitions were held in games like football, volley ball, basketball, throw ball, cricket, shuttle badminton, table tennis, caroms and chess.

Dr.G.P.C.Nayar, Chairman, SCMS Group inaugurated the meet. Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. He also distributed the prizes.

PGDM batch 16 emerged as overall champions and PGDM batch 17 became runner up.

 Eligible qualified candidates can now register their names with SIBB-R&D for undertaking research programmes to acquire M.Tech. and Ph.D. degrees from the University.

Anna University Coimbatore is focused on industry related research programmes.

Core course on environment change and management

SCMS-COCHIN has introduced a core course on Environment Change and Management for the PGDM students. This is for the first time, in the history of PGDM programmes in South India, that an institute of excellence and higher learning has introduced a course with a strong emphasis on climate change and its mitigation.

The course structure and its pedagogy are unique and more participatory in nature, aimed at knowledge enhancement and skill building, self-sensitisation and social transformation. Activities such as collage presentations, street plays, debates, poster presentations and field visits are essential components of this course.

Eco-Fest and International Conference on

Green Management

An Eco-Fest and International Conference on Green Management in a Warming World: Challenges and Opportunities is scheduled to be organized by the Climate Conclave and Eco-Group at SCMS-COCHIN on March 21 and 22, 2009.

It will be a unique platform for the present and future managers of business and the academia to share their valuable ideas, experience, success stories and challenges, and knowledge.

Discussions on activities of the chair on climate change

Mrs. Cleo Paskal, Associate Fellow, Royal Institute of International Affairs, UK and Dr.Muralee Thummarukudy,  Programme Officer, UNEP, were in SCMS-COCHIN on January —-. They had detailed discussions on the activities of the chair on climate change and disaster reduction,  with Dr.Ram Mohan R. Nair, Director, Research and Training and Dr.Sunil D.Santha, Assistant Professor who coordinates the activities of the chair.

A laudable initiative

 – Dr.M.Beena, District Collector

“It’s certainly a laudable initiative by the students of SCMS-COCHIN” to have constituted a Climate Conclave and Eco Club (CCE) for coordinating their activities in the area of climate change and its mitigation more efficiently, said Dr. M.Beena, District Collector, Ernakulam. Dr.Beena was inaugurating the CCE Group, the first of its kind in a business school in South India, organized by the PGDM students batch 17, on January 3 at SCMS-COCHIN.

 The CCE Group has been formed with the support and guidance from the UNESCO – PEACE Chair, Manipal University, Manipal.

“I compliment all of you for the enlightened leadership” displayed by you in such a crucial issue of global importance, added the District Collector while calling upon the students to extend their expertise to the Cochin Corporation and the Ernakulam District as a whole. She reminded the audience that the earth has enough resources to meet everyone’s need, but not the greed. If we are to attain progress towards a global sustainable future it is essential that we need to discard some of our present life styles and adopt certain attitudinal and life style changes, she explained.

Shri Jose Dominic, Managing Director, Casino Group of Hotels, who was the Chief Guest on the occasion, stated that the globe was passing through an extremely difficult phase. “We cannot take our planet for granted, whether you are in business, industry or academics,” he warned. “Our mismanagement of the environment has already created adverse impact on us,” he added, calling for immediate remedial action by all concerned. Shri Jose Dominic is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Chair for Global Environmental Change constituted at SCMS-COCHIN.

Shri A.K.Nair, Vice Chairman, SCMS Group, who presided over the function, spoke on the objectives of the Chair and on the series of activities planned to accomplish the goals.

Earlier, Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN, welcomed the distinguished dignitaries.

The whole assemblage took a pledge to get actively involved in programmes aimed at protecting and preserving the Mother Earth and at reversing the progressive degradation of our natural environment. Dr.V.Raman Nair administered the pledge.

Prof. Pramod P.Thevannoor, Director, SCMS Group and Dr.V.Raman Nair, Director, SCMS-COCHIN had attended a two-day seminar on international accreditation organized by Standards for Educational Advancement and Accreditation Trust at India International Centre, New Delhi on November 10 and 11.

Dr. Robert Owen, Director, Association of MBAs, Mr.Mark Stoddard, Accreditation Project Manager, Mr.Martyn Jones, Pro Vice Chancellor-External Relations, Kingston University, UK, Prof. Jyoti Gupta, ESCP-EAP Graduate School of Management, France and Mr.Carlos Ramos, Advisor to the Dean for Latin America, ENPC School for International Management, France, and International Advisor, Association of MBAs, UK were the speakers from abroad. From India, Dr.Dinesh, Advisor, National Board of Accreditation, Dr.Panduranga Rao, Vice Chancellor, ICFAI University, Dr.B.S.Sengupta,, Director, SIESCOMS and also Chairman of SEAA Advisory Board, Shri N.M.Kondap, Vice Chancellor, SVKM’s Narsee Monjee University, Dr.B.S.Sahay, Director, IMT-Ghaziabad and Shri A.Thothathri Raman, Convenor of the seminar and Managing Trustee, SEAA, spoke on the occasion.