On 22nd January, 2016 IGTC hosted a delegation from the city of Karlsruhe, Germany. Mr.Wolfram Jäger, First Mayor of Karlsruhe headed the delegation. He was accompanied by Ms. Andrea Bühler from EnergyForum, Karlsruhe, Ms. Simone Pflieger from Economic Development Department of Karlsruhe, Mr. Daniel Schneider from SMIGHT and Mr. Jochen Ehlgötz from TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe. Ms. Iris Becker along with her team from Lets Bridge IT, the official representative of the City of Karlsruhe in Pune was also present with the delegation.
In the past, IGTC has hosted several delegations from Germany but this one was truly special. The reason being it was hosted in conjunction with Stephan Schenkel, President, DHBW Karlsruhe, Volker Ihle, Dean of the Business and Engineering programme, DHBW Karlsruhe and their student delegation comprising of 21 young German students, who were undergoing the Business Environment India study programme at IGTC, Mumbai.
Radhieka R Mehta and Stephan Schenkel warmly welcomed the delegation to the collaborative, intercultural bond shared between IGTC and DHBW, while Volker Ihle (who also happens to be the first director of the IGTC when it was started in 1991) recounted history and the establishment of the German Dual Education System in India at IGTC by organisations such as Siemens, Bayer and Bosch. Following this Mr. Wolfram Jäger presented the wonderful city of Karlsruhe and the ample opportunities that it unfolds for students.
Students of the IGTC Post Graduate Programme in Business Administration from Batch 2014 – 2016, then took the stage to present their alma mater IGTC, its programmes and life@IGTC as management students. In a well- synchronised English and German presentation, they narrated their stories and their journey of 18 months at IGTC. “We are proud to imbibe the spirit of working, mit einem Indischen Herz und ein Deutsches Gehirn, with an Indian heart and German Brain” was the unanimous message conveyed by them. They stood as brand ambassadors of future Indo-German relations.
The IGTC and DHBW students then elaborated on their fascinating student exchange programme and expressed their views about visiting and living briefly in both these countries. It was evident that youth from both countries is increasingly fascinated by the rich heritage and culture of India and German and they are keen to explore education and business opportunities.
IGTC student Surbhi Parekh summed up the entire experience in her words. “The presentation to the Karlsruhe delegation was a prestigious affair. Students at the Indo-German Training Centre had the opportunity to interact with the dignitaries of Karlsruhe & thrill them with the unique dual-education system of Germany, but the Indian way! Abbas & I had the chance to interact with Mr. Wolfram Jäger, the Mayor of Karlsruhe, on various topics like the SmartCity project of Karlsruhe city & the anticipated outcome of Pune as India’s next SmartCity project.”
IGTC has ensured that students are exposed to end number of intercultural and business opportunities within the Indo-German fraternity & beyond. What better learning environment could management students ask for?”
