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All about studying MBA at the Indo German Training Center

Who is behind the IGTCs and what is unique about the IGTC philosophy?

The Indo-German Training Centers are the training initiatives of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization and the largest bi-national Chamber of Commerce in India with over 6,700 member companies across diverse sectors.

The Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) recognizes the world-renowned Dual System of Training as the critical factor responsible for the success of the German companies, wherein the theoretical classes are organized and certified by the Chambers of Commerce, and the practical training is imparted by the corporates themselves. IGCC strives to replicate this model in India for the benefit of the IGCC member organizations. As a common training platform, it collaborates with various member organizations in different locations to nurture application oriented, general management trainees for their future requirements.

German and Indian companies that are currently actively involved in the model include BASF, Bajaj Allianz, Bayer, Behr India, Bharat Forge Ltd., Bosch, DHL Express, Deutsche Bank, Dorma India, Eirich Transweigh, Endress + Hauser, Epcos India, Fuchs Lubricants, Inverto Sourcing India, HyperCity Retail India, Lanxess, MAN Force Trucks, Merck, Mettler-Toledo, Schwing Stetter, Siemens, Suzlon, Volkswagen, Zensar Technologies among many others.

How is the PGPBA at IGTC structured over the 18 months to deliver value to students?

The PGPBA at IGTC is a unique business administration program that facilitates a close interlocking of academic course work and on-the-job training into one learning system, thereby resulting in a new qualitative dimension in business administration education. The model functions in close coordination with HR and Training professionals of partnering companies. The partnering company is not only a destination for the trainee/s but also an equal contributor toward developing, shaping and moulding their young minds and spirits toward becoming competent business professionals of the future.

The course is split into 4 theoretical aphasesa, wherein the trainees study a general management curriculum, encompassing the complete spectrum of business education a marketing, finance, operations, HR, IT and strategy. This theoretical learning is interspersed with on-the-job practical training in an assigned company, wherein the trainees work on live, closely monitored and stringently evaluated projects to apply and assimilate their knowledge. The training stints further teach the trainees to appreciate the variety of social relationships that exist in organisations and to cope with the demands of corporate lives. During the time spent in working with the assigned training company and being mentored by their business managers, the trainees develop their personal skill-set as well as gain an induction to the companyas structure, which in turn sometimes facilitates final recruitment.

How many IGTC centers are there in India and how is each different from the other, if at all? How should a prospective student decide which center to join? How much student intake does each center have?

Currently, the IGCC has established three Indo-German Training Centers in India a the first one in Mumbai was established in 1991, then in Chennai in 2005 and recently in Bangalore in 2008. All the three centers are modelled on the same principle of the German Dual System of Training and conduct the same full-time 18 month business administration program.

The Centers differ in terms of the visiting faculty (independent for each center) and the number of participating companies. Some companies participate with the IGTC pan-India and select trainees from all centers, while some companies have local preferences. The duration and timing of the practical internships at every Center are based on the cumulative preference of their respective participating training companies.

Usually, prospective students select the Center closest to their location. Students from the North and East have an option to select any of the Centers. All three Centers have one common application form, a common application fee and a common admission test. In case, a prospective student has more than one Center preference, his/her Admission Test and Group Discussion scores will be transferred to the Center of second preference. The student intake is a maximum of 42 in Mumbai, 30 in Chennai and 30 in Bangalore.

How many companies are partnering your program for the incoming batch and how does the number vary across centers?

On an average, around 15-20 companies participate in the program in Mumbai, while 10-15 companies participate in Chennai and Bangalore. However, there are always sufficient organizations to give the students on-the-job, practical training.

Please explain the admissions process to IGTC Post Graduate Program in Business Administration (PGPBA). In what way do the partner companies intervene in the admissions process?

Admission to the IGTC PGPBA is a two-stage process. Stage I is an independent Written Test encompassing Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, Logical/ Analytical Reasoning, General Awareness and Written Communication. This is followed by a Group Discussion.

Stage II is a round of personal interviews with participating member organizations that would like to select an IGTC trainee. Companies assess the applicant not only on parameters such as personal presentation, communication skills, conceptual clarity, leadership, initiative and creativity and lateral thinking, but also keeping in mind, his/her Employability Factor and the Company-Trainee Match. Hence, there is a critical involvement of the partner companies in the admission process.

Is the program residential? What is the total program fee?

The program is a non-residential program. However, it is intensive and demands up to almost 12 to 14 hours daily during the theoretical and practical training phases.

The total program fee is Rs. 2,00,000. IGTC is on the approved list of institutions for the Oriental Bank of Commerce as well as the HDFC bank. Several students have been able to get study loans from these banks on submission of adequate financial documents.

On what basis are students allocated to companies at the time of training?

A student is allocated to their training company depending upon his or her career interests, requirements of the companies in terms of graduation qualification, and prior work experience (if any). The IGTC administration facilitates this entire process and strives to get a suitable match between the participating companies and the applicants.

Broadly, from an applicant’s perspective, what are the pros and cons of joining IGTC over a mainstream business school? Is the IGTC degree recognized if one wishes to study further in an Indian university or college?

The greatest advantage of the IGTC program is its ability to give a prospective student an exposure to the real corporate world through the stints of hands-on practical training. It focuses on practical managerial skills and intends to instil exceptionally high levels of applied skills in the students a skills useful to them as practising professionals.

On the pure academic front, the programas strength lies in its general management curriculum and the quality of academic faculty drawn from some of the best business schools in the vicinity as well as from industry. Given the small batch size, there is a significant amount of personalized attention and emphasis on soft skills, which fosters the right attitude, knowledge, and team spirit, along with interpersonal and communication skills to meet the needs of today’s dynamic global business scenario. The inclusion of German language as a part of the curriculum makes the students desirable for several organizations engaging in business with Germany and Europe.

The IGTC program is, thus, a strong stepping stone to mid-sized or large German multinational organizations, as the companies believe in this participative model, enjoy their involvement and take pride in playing a role toward nurturing young professionals. In its own modest manner, the IGTC program is a success story of the much sort-after industry-academia model.

However, it is important for the students to note that the IGTC is the training department of the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce, and not an independent educational establishment. Hence, IGTC does not provide an academic degree or diploma to the students. It is a certification from the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce.

Where do you draw your faculty from? How many faculty members does each IGTC center have at the present moment?

Since the IGTC only conducts one batch of students every year, and has no orientation toward academic research, it does not engage any full-time academic faculty. However, it draws the best from the teaching fraternity from reputed business schools in every region, as well as industry managers from its participating companies. On an average, IGTC engages about 20 different faculty across the various functional areas of management throughout the year.

What facilitation does IGTC provide for students post the program? Which major sectors have IGTC graduates been working in?

The IGTC administration plays an important role of a facilitator with the industry, not only post the program but throughout the program, right from the time of admission. At every step, they ensure that the students are connected with the right industry, undergo the correct training and are readily employable at the end of the program.

Having made a strong beginning with sound multinational organizations, IGTC alumni have progressed to achieve significant roles and responsibilities in various sectors of the industry, including manufacturing, consulting, financial services, venture capital, high technology, retail, and consumer products. Some of our noteworthy alumni include Mr Ahad Patel, Consultant a Business Technology Domain, Siemens IT Services and Solutions Limited, Mr Arun Roy, Manager a General Accounting and Internal Audit, Robert Bosch LLC, USA, Mr Chetan Jain, Project Manager, SAP Switzerland Inc., Switzerland, Mr Joben Panakal, Sales Director a South Asia, IBS Software Services and more.

What were the average, highest and lowest compensation package offered at each IGTC center in the last batch that graduated?

During placements for Batch 2006 a 2008, the average package was Rs 3.75 lakhs per annum, highest package was Rs 6.00 lakhs (offered by Deutsche Bank and Caliber Point Business Solutions) and the lowest package was Rs 2.90 lakhs (management trainee scheme at Siemens, giving a net take home of Rs. 22,000 per month).

The placement process was initiated by the training companies being given the first preference to recruit their respective trainees. The company assesses the traineeas overall work performance through the three stints of practical training, his career interests and job profiles available within the organization to find a suitable employment opportunity. In many cases, this proved to be a win-win for both, as the company gained a hands-on employee already well-oriented to the organization, while the student gained a stable career.

In cases, wherein the training process did not culminate into a meaningful placement, the students were assisted with the process of applying for recruitment to various other organizations within the vast Indo-German Chamber of Commerce network.

With hiring undergoing a freeze or reducing considerably across companies in India and Europe (including Germany) increasingly being affected by the economic downturn, what is the level of commitment of your partner companies to provide training to IGTC students this year?

Currently, the partner companies are providing the practical training for our Batch 2008 a 2010 as committed during the admission process last year.

For the upcoming year, it is a little premature to comment, as many organizations are cautiously watching the economic scenario unfold. Our admission process is only in June 2009, wherein we wish to enlist the support of our member companies for selecting an intern / trainee for the six months of hands-on practical training. The first training period only comes up in January 2010. We donat anticipate that our partner companies will be sceptical about the training process.

How are placements getting affected for the outgoing batch of IGTC across centers?

Given the investment of effort and time in training the students, some of our partners have willingly absorbed their assigned trainees. There are, of course, some organizations, who have not been able to absorb their trainees due to a hiring freeze or a mismatch of the available job profile and the studentsa expectations. These students are being assisted, through an official process of networking with our member organizations, to find the best fit for their aptitude, competence and career interests. It is a slow and steady process, but given the small batch size, it is not a cause for concern.

The current status is that 60% of the batch is placed with an average package of 3.5 lakhs p.a. The student mood is upbeat and optimistic, as they have always been in sync with reality. They have never aspired for high-flying starting packages, but have demonstrated the sincerity and commitment to begin small with strong multinational organizations and move up the corporate ladder.

Given the subsidized fees of the program (keeping in mind the benefit of the partnering organizations) and the undisputed quality of the program, the Chamber nevertheless assures a high return on investment.

What is life beyond academics like at IGTC?

At IGTC, we also strongly believe that our students, apart from being equipped with high quality learning and relevant practical experience, must also interact with other students in India. To reinforce this belief, we provide our students with a platform to participate in various events hosted by other educational institutions across the country. IGTC students have won accolades and awards at various management fests and competitions.

Throughout the academic year, the students also have the privilege to participate in seminars and workshops, and imbibe knowledge from prominent members of the global business community during their visits to the training centre and at various Chamber events.

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