XLRI GMP Students’ Experience With The Chinese

In his book “Making Sense of Chindia”, Environment minister Mr Jairam Ramesh wondered if it would be possible for the two countries (India and China) to begin respecting each other and rise to commanding heights in the comity of nations.

“Well, if our recent experience is any indicator, then it does seem we are getting there” says Prof. Jittu Singh, head of International Relations department at XLRI Jamshedpur. What Prof. Singh is referring to is the recent interactions of XLRI students with Chinese and Taiwanese schools and institutions.

Nikhil Uppal, an MBA student of XLRI Jamshedpur had a “Chinese experience” just a week ago. Nikhil participated in and won “Olympus”, the flagship pan-India business leadership competition at IIMC`s B-School fest - Intaglio-2011. The participants came not only from top Indian schools such as all the IIMs, ISB and MDI but also from schools across Asia Pacific such as “China Europe International Business School” (CEIBS), Shanghai. “I found the Chinese participants very eager to learn about India, our education system and our core values” – says Nikhil when asked about his experiences. It seems Nikhil won not only the event, easily one of the toughest competitions in the b-school landscape, but along with other participants also managed to impress the students from across the Himalayas.

Carlos Conde, a contestant at Olympus and an MBA student from China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), Shanghai, was all praises for the quality of Indian b-schools and their students:

“Although it was my first visit to India I felt the warm welcome of the organizers and competitors. Over the three days we bonded and formed friendship, but especially we had a lot of fun. I am very impressed with the high level demonstrated by Indian students, proving the high caliber of the business education in India".

Cut to Taiwan- China’s richer cousin. Recently, a few XLRI students from the 1 year MBA program – GMP, visited Taiwan’s Fu Jen Catholic University to understand the macroeconomics of one of the most developed cities in Asia. Not only they received grand welcome, but were much sought after not only by the local students, but also by the dignitaries from the industry as well as other institutions. For instance, they were invited by the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) which was interested in knowing the viewpoints of future business leaders of India. Lawrence Shan, Senior Vice President of TWSE greeted the students warmly and spent an hour discussing about Chinese macroeconomics and stock markets. “They have excellent long term vision. They wish to exchange ideas with our young talent and also attract them as investors in their future growth” says Amit Temurnikar the lead representative of XLRI student contingent in Taiwan.

“XLRI firmly believes in collaboration with top universities around the world and especially looks forward to exchanging management lessons with Chinese universities and their students”, sums up Prof. Singh.