Inaugural PGPEX-VLM nearing its completion at IIM-C
This education programme has been designed for the manufacturing sector in India by equipping them with state of art management techniques and skills with technology awareness. The objectives, content, curriculum and pedagogy has been jointly designed by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras in consultation with industry, Japan International Cooperation Agency, NMCC and the Ministry of HRD and in consultation with Prof. Shoji Shiba, a renowned authority in the field of manufacturing and a faculty of the programme. This fast track programme blends the quality of management programs of IIM Calcutta, technological prowess of the IITs, the world class expertise of Japanese faculty together with the experience of Indian business leaders.
The 30 students of the first batch of PGPEX-VLM have been selected through a meticulous assessment of merit and experience of candidates with only engineering background. The professional experience of the batch is over nine years. The diversity of the class is represented by professionals from engineering, power, steel, mining, automotive, auto-ancillaries, chemicals, non-ferrous, white goods and textiles.
International Study Visit by Students:
International study visit is an integral part of PGPEX VLM program. The visit for the present batch has been structured in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), sponsoring organization, from July 6, 2008 to July19, 2008.
Students are scheduled to visit following Japanese factories during their study visit to Japan (i) Honda Saitama Factory, Kao logistics center, Hino Motors, Sharp, Yao factory, Patlite, Kasai Recycling Systems, Toyota. They will also visit Panasonic House of History, Panasonic HRD College, and Toyota commemorative museum of industry and technology.
In addition to above, special lecture sessions have been structured on manufacturing by eminent industry representatives, namely Mr Tokuhara, Representative of CII in Japan, Mr Ishizuya, ex-executive managing director of Honda, Mr. Matsumoto, ex-operating officer in logistics, Kao, Mr Kojima, ex-director, product management department, Hino Motors, Mr Yamada, CEO, Incs Corp & Prof Shoji Shiba, an expert in Total Quality Management. Prof Shoji Shiba, visiting professor at MIT for over ten years, professor of business administration and dean of the School of Applied International Studies of Tokiwa University, he was also professor emeritus of Tsukuba University in Japan.
Faculty Visit to Japan
Acquaintance and exploration of Japanese production system, manufacturing system, and socio economic environment by the faculties of the program is an aspect of the collaboration with JICA. Accordingly, five faculties engaged in this program from IIMC, three faculties from IITK and two from IITM visited Japan during June 11-18, 2008.
Japan Visit by faculty included a presentation to JICA on June 19, 2008 by IIM-C, IIT-K and IIT-M professors along with visit to academic institutes followed by takeaway lessons and suggestions, visit to companies followed by takeaway lessons and suggestions and general comments on schedule, logistics and other arrangements on JICA staff. Understanding hands-on the virtues of Japanese manufacturing through visit plants and interact with plant managers in 2-3 hi-tech, successful firms, Interact with finance function in one of the firms, interact with MIS function in one of the firms and interact with a University doing joint research with one of these firms. Understanding hands-on the environmental issues favoring Japanese manufacturing through lectures by University faculty and JICA experts and understanding unique pedagogical styles employed in Japanese manufacturing management schools through a workshop conducted by an eminent Japanese faculty. In this regard, some of the companies visited include Hino Motors – Manufacturer of Trucks and Buses, Primix Corporation – Manufacturer of Hi-tech Mixers, Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and Juken Kogyo.
Final Placement: Campus interview for the final placement of the first batch of PGPEX-VLM students started at IIMC with visits of reputed companies having their operations in India.