After celebrating the Silver Jubilee in December 2016, IGTC Mumbai did not anticipate that the next milestone was just round the corner. However, the positivity generated among the corporate partners and alumni took everyone by surprise, and sure enough June 2017 witnessed the admission of 100 meritorious students in the 26th Batch of the 18-month, full-time Post Graduate Programme in Business Administration based on the German Dual Education System. A new record was established. The process had begun in January 2017, when approximately 350 applicants filled out their forms in hopes of becoming future IGTCians. A written examination and group discussions in end April 2017 ensured that only 200 deserving students were selected to attend the interviews with the 37 Participating Training Organizations, most of them being German conglomerates. The tension at IGTC was palpable since all the 200 applicants wanted to give their best and impress the companies.
The companies that participated included ACG Pan Pharma Technologies Pvt. Ltd., B|Braun Medical India Pvt. Ltd., Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co. Ltd., BASF India Ltd., Bayer Group of Companies, Bosch Automotive Electronics India, Bosch Chassis Systems India Pvt. Ltd., Bosch Ltd., Brose India Automotive Systems Pvt. Ltd., Cerebrus Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Covestro (India) Pvt. Ltd., DBOI Global Services Pvt. Ltd., DHL Express India, EPCOS India Pvt. Ltd., Evonik India Pvt. Ltd., Extentia Information Technology, FEV India Pvt. Ltd., Forbes Marshall Pvt. Ltd., Häfele India Pvt. Ltd., HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company, Helpline Impex Pvt. Ltd., Hirschvogel Components India, Kion India Pvt. Ltd., KSB Pumps Ltd., LANXESS India Pvt. Ltd., MAN Trucks India Pvt. Ltd., Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd., NRB Industrial Bearings Ltd., Schaefer Systems Intl. Pvt. Ltd., Schaeffler Group, Schott Glass India Pvt. Ltd., Schott Kaisha Pvt. Ltd., Siemens Financial Services, Siemens Healthcare Pvt., Siemens Ltd., SMS India Pvt. Ltd. and TÜV India. They made requisitions for interns in an array of functions including Sales and Marketing, Finance and Controlling, Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Human Resources and Corporate Communication to name a few.
What stood out during the entire admission process, was the infinite contribution of the current IGTC students, PGPBA Batch 2016 – 2018, who teamed along with the IGTC administration to ensure a smooth run of the entire process. From answering emails of prospective students to clarify the smallest and silliest of doubts and apprehensions to handling nervous wrecks entering the interview rooms, they participated fully and shouldered every responsibility with a smile!
“We had a tough task ahead of us but we were extremely excited and optimistic to carry out the three-day admission process. The main goal of our team of volunteers was to make sure that each applicant gets a fair chance to prove themselves before the participating organizations. On each of the scheduled days, we had to deal with over 18 different organizations, who were conducting different interview processes. Some conducted excel and psychometric tests, group discussions while some engaged in skype and telephonic interviews. We had the freedom and opportunity to discuss and interact with the senior panellists from the organizations, and in many cases we were pleasantly surprised and inspired to know that they were our alumni! The process flowed seamlessly, and we did not require any of our back-up plans for certain unwanted situations. Like a game of Sudoku (as often mentioned by Radhieka ma’am), the right candidates fit into the right organizations and within 72 hours, admissions to IGTC Mumbai were closed.”
Volunteers from PGPBA Batch 2016-2018
Siemens Scholarship for Management Students
As a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, Siemens Ltd. introduced the Siemens Scholarship for Management Students at IGTC. As a part of this valuable initiative, Siemens sponsors the entire tuition fee at IGTC for 10 meritorious students from less privileged backgrounds (with annual family income less than 4 lacs). The practical training for these students as a part of the dual education programme will also be undertaken by Siemens. Three business panels from Siemens Ltd. interviewed the applicants before selecting their final, most deserving trainees.
Inauguration and induction of the Centurions (as IGTC now calls them)
As per tradition, on 1st August 2017, Bernhard Steinruecke welcomed the “centurions” at IGTC to the world of Indo-German relations and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce with his fascinating narrative that left everyone enthralled and speechless. He emphasized on the similarities between Germany and India, especially when it comes to culture and concluded his session with his essential German speech, which was by default the first lesson in German language for the incoming students.
Following his address, Radhieka Mehta inducted the newcomers to the IGTC family and emphasized on the next 18 months as being a ‘lifestyle change’ as they embark on this intensive learning journey. She spelt out her vision to create the very best leaders, who will aspire, work and achieve together to emerge phenomenal in every aspect of life. The IGTC team – Sajita, Veena, Rashmi and Tisha – then firmly laid down the rules of the game at IGTC and the expectations from the batch to adhere to strict discipline and no compromises. Undoubtedly, the message was loud and clear – IGTC was the first step in training them for the fast-paced rigmarole of corporate life.
The current students and alumni also had their share of contribution to ensure a seamless transition for the newbies. The spirited and fully empowered ‘seniors’ made various presentations and hosted games such as ‘Speed Meeting’, ‘Rhythm Makers’ and the traditional ‘Treasure Hunt’ which ensured that the ice was broken, and everyone was comfortable in their new learning environment. On a lighter note, advice was also given about the restaurants they should visit, faculty they should beware of and recreational places in the vicinity.
Alumni Arun Roy, Chief Financial Officer, Chervon USA (he was earlier with Bosch Power Tools) took the students through his two-decade journey from being a student to a top management professional in the international business world. His humility, gentle demeanour and presentation on leadership styles left the batch awestruck. It was amazing to see his connect with the institution even after so many years. Ekta Dusija, Project Manager – Marketing at Bayer Group systematically imparted her success mantras to the students, focusing on the dos and donts not only at IGTC but also in the corporate life. On a completely different note, multi-talented Karthik Shivshankar (Dr. Guenter Krueger Award winner from Batch 2010 – 2012 and Bayer Scholar) spoke about quitting his thriving career in technology, innovation and chemicals at BASF to follow his passion of being an upcoming vocalist and entering the world of music. It also endorsed the fact that the IGTC doors were open to all alumni despite their personal ambitions and choices made in life. All the alumni sessions were extremely interactive. They gave every word spoken at IGTC a deeper perspective and a reality.
IGTC has always emphasized on the difference between introduction and induction. The wheels have now been set in motion for PGPBA Batch 2017 – 2019 and we hope for a beautiful ride here on! IGTCians at heart, phenomenal we will be!
I chose to join IGTC because it came highly recommended. Its ethos and unique dual education system with its focus on both theoretical and practical training is very attractive. I hope IGTC’s PGPBA will give me a great practical edge, a strong theoretical foundation and an excellent introduction to the business world.
Rohit Padmanabhan, inducted as a trainee with Mercedes-Benz India Pvt. Ltd.
The thing that intrigued me about IGTC was its innovative and hands-on approach towards management studies. What an opportunity to work and study in equal measures. Having a flavour of how German organizations work while I was at Siemens, I believe IGTC will help me rise to my full potential and help me polish my skills and make me a good professional. I am thrilled to be a part of the IGTC family and very excited about the next 18 months of my life and its outcome!
Vidyanshi Rajkrishna, inducted as a trainee with FEV India Pvt. Ltd.
IGTC is known for its distinctive way of training and the German Dual Education System. The benefit from the dual system is that we graduate, not only as qualified MBAs, but enter the industry to contribute from day one. IGTC pays attention in enhancing communication and presentation skills, encouraging initiative and expression of creative ideas, maintaining a healthy positive attitude, assuming responsibility and leadership roles. The knowledge and skills gained at IGTC will go a long way in accelerating my career graph in the corporate world.
Ketaki Sanjay Deshmukh, inducted as a trainee with Indo-German Training Centre
