Life @ FLAME University (Pune)

FLAME University announces collaboration with Nuffield College in the University of Oxford, England


FLAME University, the pioneer of liberal education in India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nuffield College, University of Oxford that creates a collaborative Centre for Experimental Social Sciences at FLAME University, the first such research centre in India.


Nuffield College, University of Oxford, England, specialises in the social sciences, particularly economics, politics and sociology. It is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford which is ranked as the best university in the world by Times Higher Education Rankings 2016. Many prominent people have studied at Nuffield College, University of Oxford including, Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister of India and Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England.


Sir Andrew Dilnot, the Warden of Nuffield College, University of Oxford, and Raymond Duch, the Director of the Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Centre for Experimental Social Sciences, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FLAME University in Pune, India that creates a collaborative Centre for Experimental Social Sciences at FLAME. The signatories from FLAME were Devi Singh, Vice-Chancellor of FLAME University, Krutarth Shah, Governing Body Member of FLAME University, Tejas Patani, Board of Management Member of FLAME University; Sharon Barnhardt, Director of CESS Nuffield-FLAME University; and Pavan Mamidi, Director of International Research Collaborations at CESS Nuffield-FLAME University. 


Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Devi Singh, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University, said, “We are privileged to announce our association with Nuffield College, University of Oxford, UK, one of the most prestigious social sciences institute in the world. This will create a research centre unlike most in the country. It showcases our commitment to enhance the research culture at FLAME University and constantly improve the quality of our education offerings by tying up with the best in the world.”


Dr. Sharon Barnhardt, Director of CESS-Nuffield FLAME University, commented, “The expansion of CESS Nuffield to India made possible by FLAME University, is an investment in social science research, which demonstrates FLAME University’s commitment to supporting an important element of liberal education. Its core will be experimental social sciences - a method-based unifier, rather than being focused on a theme or issue. This will give us a platform to work across economics, sociology, political science and social psychology in addition to their applications in law, management and public policy.”


She further added, “I am most excited by the opportunity this collaboration provides us to bring a Nuffield-style research community to India. Nuffield has a truly special culture admired by social scientists across the world, and we intend to nurture that in India at FLAME University. There will be a lot of visiting researchers working with the Centre, from the UK, US, and other countries. I am from the US and feel right at home at FLAME University. Other foreign faculty will also enjoy spending time on this amazing campus in Pune and the resulting interactions will enrich everyone’s research. It’s the right campus for curious people to design experiments that will help us all learn about human behaviour.”


Dr. Raymond Duch, Director of the Nuffield College, University of Oxford, Centre for Experimental Social Sciences pointed out that “Nuffield College, University of Oxford, is extremely excited about the collaboration with FLAME University in India. FLAME University are acknowledged as pioneers of liberal education in India and their focus on inter-disciplinary education makes them the right fit for us. This collaboration offers Nuffield CESS a unique opportunity for Oxford scholars to cooperate with the vibrant and rapidly growing community of social scientists in India.”


The MoU provides for intensive collaboration between Nuffield College, University of Oxford and FLAME University on the training of young experimental social scientists in India. The Centre for Experimental Social Sciences at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, has developed a superb reputation for providing accessible but cutting edge training in experimental methods for students with very diverse interests including students from academia and the public and private sectors. Professor Duch said “We are very pleased that Nuffield CESS will host, annually, a large contingent of students from FLAME University at our training facilities here in Nuffield College, University of Oxford. These students will get the opportunity to attend research training programs at Nuffield CESS, while staff from our Centre will also conduct training sessions at the new CESS Nuffield-FLAME University facilities on the FLAME campus.”


Dr. Pavan Mamidi, Director of International Research Collaborations, CESS Nuffield-FLAME University, stated, “FLAME is a young university, but the founders have big hearts and a social commitment that is rare to find these days. Above all, is their self-less motivation to build a world class university of excellence in India. The CESS Nuffield-FLAME University centre promises to harness new ideas and cultivate a good research environment in India. FLAME University’s focus on providing quality education by creating new knowledge or enhancing existing knowledge dovetails rather nicely with a venerable Oxford University institution, Nuffield.”


Through this tie-up, FLAME University strives to augment its focus on research, give opportunities to its students to develop research skills through training at Nuffield College, University of Oxford, learn from the best practices of one of the most revered universities globally and attract the best scholars on its campus to create a vibrant academic community.

Russell Napier, Strategist & Co-Founder, ERIC | I expect the pound and the euro to be weak relative to a dollar


THE ECONOMIC TIMES - ETMarkets | November 03, 2016



In an interview with ET Now, Russell Napier, Strategist & Co-Founder, ERIC, gives his views on the dollar index.


ET Now: Let me first broadly start with what is going on with the world right now and before I ask you specific question, I just want to mark, right now there is a debate on what is happening to the dollar index, where the strength lies. So what is your view on the way how things are shaping up and especially the way how the trade setup is? I mean, emerging markets are outperforming and the dollar index now seems to be making a comeback. 

Russell Napier: I think that is a great question. You are absolutely right. The market is not focussing on it enough. Two years ago, there were dollar bulls everywhere, that's kind of faded away now and people do not pay attention to it. I believe that it is a move which will continue. I believe it's one that it is very important and the crucial reason as to why that might be important is that the Federal Reserve might find it very difficult to stop a rise in the dollar. I believe it reflects a more than cyclical view, negative view on the euro and a more than cyclically negative view on the yen. And if we are in a world where people doubt the integrity of the Euro going forward and whether it can survive as a single currency bloc and they doubt whether the Central Bank of Japan would absolutely be able to control the supply of money given its new monetary target. This is not about an interest rate differential for the dollar which is what the market focuses on and why from day to day as interest rates in America going up, that is important for the dollar, this is much-much bigger than interest rate differentials. I think the comments of the Fed make it fairly clear that they are very-very nervous about a rising dollar, because historically in stopping that and they very rarely had paid any attention to the dollar but clearly in 1982 and 1998 when we had emerging market crisis, they really did something about the dollar by reducing interest rates. They are really very concerned as to how they will stop the dollar going up and just one final point on the dollar. It can get a momentum of its own because it is highly borrowed cross border and as it rises, the people who borrow cross border, borrow when dollars to finance investments are sort of forced to cover. You get forced buying of the dollar when it spikes upwards. That is not necessary for the United States of America but I think everybody knows how negative that can be particularly for emerging markets, particular for China and it is obviously not particularly positive for commodity prices. So I think we ignore the dollar rates and I think one of the right questions is if it continues how could the Fed stop it.


ET Now: At the top of everyone's mind is the impact of US elections on world markets. Should people care who wins? I mean is the Trump victory a surprise and will that make markets nervous? 

Russell Napier: Yes, I think it is fair to say that Trump victory is not priced in but Trump victory is also unlikely. I think the important thing about these elections is not to look at the president but it is also to look at Congress. I mean we do have a president in United States trying to put policy in place in United States of America but it is incredibly difficult given the composition of the Congress. Now the question is will that change after this election? We should also be looking at those for the House of Representatives. And the current situation seems to be that the Republicans will control the House of Representatives when we have President Clinton and then the question is will the next president be able to affect policy and do what is necessary in the last president. I feel that when this election is over, we will realise that what we have is another president who still hidebound by the American Constitution and when this constitution was put in place to prevent America from having a monarch and having a king after the pretty short expel from North America. But sometimes you need monarch, sometimes you need a king, sometimes you need someone with pretty significant power to get things done. My feeling is that the next president will probably be President Clinton and she unfortunately will not have that power and also I feel even if it was Donald Trump, I think also given some of his policies particularly his fiscal policies we have significant reaction in Republican Party. So we need dramatic action somewhere in the world and I do not feel that whoever the president of United States is after this election will be powerful enough to make those decisions.


ET Now: So can the Fed hike rates into 2017 when the rest of the world actually in easing mode? 

Russell Napier: Yes I think that is particularly good point to make. If the Fed was looking entirely at domestic economic conditions determining the correct level of normal interest rates, they would be significantly higher already. I really doubt that. So why on earth are they waiting? Because they are very concerned about things that are happening in the United States of America whether that is Brexit or whether it is Japanese monetary policy but I think it really is the reason that is holding them back. So in forecasting the Fed going forward, it is very hard for me to see how the rest of the world suddenly gets the great stability that would allow the Fed to ignore going on in the rest of the world. It is difficult to say given the structural conditions of the euro and structural condition of the European banks, the structural change in Japanese monetary policy why suddenly they get the belief in the great stability out there that can allow the dollar go higher. So I think they will continue to be cautious and I would not say this the more the dollar goes up, the more cautious they would be. So the next interest rate rise will it come, will it not come? Well I would forecast that if the dollar continues to rise all the way up to that position, that would actually hold the Fed back from making the decision. So it is a very rare scenario where the Fed cares so much about the dollar because historically they have not. While they see fragilities in the system, maybe even more so than the market does, and I have said this before and I think they do speak a lot, Christine Lagarde, the IMF and it think she is constantly pointing out some of the fragilities in the system that would be brought out into the open with the strong dollar.


ET Now: Will the pound and euro fall further? Will it be a soft Brexit like the 11th hour 59 minute? 

Russell Napier: So the answer to that is yes that I expect both those currencies to be weak relative to a dollar. I am a citizen of the United Kingdom, I live in the United Kingdom and themystery to me has been why sterling has been so high for many years given the size of our current account deficit. It has been hard to justify why it has been so high so just looking at our current account deficit one would expect it to be a lower exchange rate anyway and there has some downsides in terms of inflation which we are seeing but many upsides in terms of competitiveness. When we last spoke it was just after the Brexit vote and I said that the Brexit would probably be a side issue in a long term history of Europe and finance because it is probably the foothills on a much bigger issue that is coming along here which is political disagreement within the Eurozone. So we have the referendum the people of Britain voted to leave European Union why is that a side issue because we are not in the Europe but we held people now in the euro itself getting to seriously debate their long term commitment to the European Union. Now once that begins most people particularly British Economist and British financiers long forecast that the Euro would not survive but they focussed on Economics and they focussed on finance and they were wrong. But when we begin to get a political disagreement and that is where we are and that is what Brexit has triggered and I think it was coming anyway but it is sort of encourage people who are fairly silent on this issue within Europe not within the United Kingdom to be more vociferous. The market is focussing on that and believe me the downside for the euro is really very-very large indeed if we have been to talk about an insoluble currency union which can in fact end and come to an end and of course I do not know to what extent this is getting a coverage in India but the move by the Hungarians, the Poles, the Czech’s and the Slovak’s what they call that the counter revolution which is getting some support from people like Marine Le Pen and the Nicolas Sarkozy and alternative for Deutschland that ultimately because it ends the move towards greater fiscal integration, threatens the long run survivability of the euro.


ET Now: So emerging markets will continue to rally and India will continue to do better within EMs is that your view as well? 

Russell Napier: Yes, I mean we discussed India at many times in the past and I will remain negative in the short run and all emerging markets because of the strength of the dollar and because there are these fragilities that you've picked out some countries that have them it is hard to see those countries getting into trouble and it is hard to see capital flows continuing to by all the emerging markets regardless even though they genuinely have those fundamentals. I have just written a report focusing on the key issue for the long term investor which has debt levels across the world and in the developed world and the emerging world and we can say this about India it stands apart as being one of the best countries for having low levels of debt relative to its GDP whether that is in a public sector, whether that is in a private sector, also it is debt to GDP is at a level which has historically been unmanageable level for most emerging markets and why is that so important because when you get a very high level of debt in the economy it really narrows down government policy to some things that are very negative for investors and it is hard to think of a positive way for investors of shifting just these incredibly high burdens of debt and GDP. We find effectively in the develop world and we come to India and they really do not exist. This is a perfectly manageable level of debt for India. Anyways this is a huge question in a long run it is evident already that the developed world wants to sort this problem by controlling markets, by manipulating prices and thats what India did from Independence all the way up to 1991 and India is on a different path now. One of the most fascinating things for India is will it maintain that different path when the west turns backwards and you know I have always been optimistic in the India in the long run but if it can avoid this policy mistake and continue to open up to market forces and prices than a future for India is actually even better than it used to be not because it is doing things faster and better but because the west is really going in a different direction and for investors in particular in a very bad direction and India has an option and opportunity doing something different whether the politician stake is a different question but at least our option exist and actually quite exciting.


ET Now: Is there a trade in gold, precious metals, because you are making a case that uncertainty and volatility is back? 

Russell Napier: Yes. I am pretty negative about the world in terms of growth in the stock markets and I believe that dollar will go up. Normally that would not be a scenario in which you would be buying gold. Strong dollars not good for gold and falling inflation good for gold, so why would I be positive on gold anyway in that scenario, well I think we saw it very early in this year from the January to February we actually had a scenario where the dollar was somewhat strong and the gold prices going up anyway. If you get into a scenario where effectively centrals bankers feeling that you should expect the governments to get more active I think the least likely thing is if we get another turndown in growth in the west that they stop and this time the government’s will join in. Now as I suggested in answering the last question there is lot of control involved in government intervention and if the control which is ultimately good for gold than more the government wishes to control capital and investment and credit which is a power for the West is running down rapidly and more people would prefer an asset like gold which is not impossible for government to control but it is clearly significantly more different for the government. So the interesting thing about gold at this juncture is you should buy it whether you are deflationist or whether you are inflationist.


ET Now: I cannot help but ask you what has been the experience like with Flame University Students out here in India? 

Russell Napier: Well the most important figure in finance is to ask a right questions because it is a multifaceted business with many different disciplines and actually it is incredibly difficult to ask right questions I think many people notice famous quote from Einstein where he said he was given a problem to solve he would spend one hour to solve it, he would spend 55 minutes trying to work out what the right question was and then finding the answer would be easy. I too learn how to ask the right questions I think reading financial history and studying financial history is useful and clearly going to the right sort of business school is also useful. So I would what can you say I do not really have to tell Indian people that education is the key but it is an education which teaches you the right questions because in our business there are really very few right answers. Don't struggle to get the right answer, struggle to get a better answer. But frankly if you ask the wrong questions it doesn't matter if you get the right answer.


ET Now: The tie-up at Flame comes at an interesting time. Tell us more 

Russell Napier: Its a very auspicious time for us as well to be involved with FLAME. FLAME is effectively like the Columbia Business School of India. And what a great partnership we have. The reason we are involved with FLAME is we have similar approaches in that we are both charities and we have similar approaches to financial education.


There is more to financial education than numbers and supply and demand and we believe by teaching financial history, we're effectively teaching a little bit of sociology, a little bit of philosophy, a little bit of accountancy, a little bit of economics.


We think that financial history gives us a more rounded approach to investment and obviously FLAME which also teaches liberal arts, takes a similar approach to education. That helps us with the course that my charity runs, the practical history of financial markets. Perhaps even more importantly, FLAME has actually established a library in Poona, and that is the world's second library of mistakes. So we are absolutely delighted that FLAME has partnered with us and we hope to work together and collaborate together to bring back an old approach to investment which believes that there's more to life than an equation.


(Source:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/expert-view/i-expect-the-pound-and-the-euro-to-be-weak-relative-to-a-dollar-russell-napier-strategist-co-founder-eric/articleshow/55175993.cms)

Why liberal arts matter


Indiatoday.in | November 10, 2016


Five reasons a higher education in this field of new openings might be a good choice.


Santosh Kudtarkar 

Associate Dean, Faculty Of Liberal Education, FLAME University, Pune


Having a medical or engineering degree can provide a host of career options, but with the changing world demographics, an education in liberal arts is critical to success. It teaches students what employers value the most-critical thinking, sound decision making, teamwork, and sensitivity to cultural, economic and societal differences-in addition to providing experiences and understanding to lead a fulfilling life. Five reasons why an education in liberal arts is valuable.


1) Develops learning, critical thinking and effective communication

An education in liberal arts provides the tools necessary to think clearly by constantly asking students to articulate their thoughts via papers, presentations and discussions. It aims to train them in various modes of thinking, leading to intellectual growth by application of these skills to examine, analyse and synthesise information. Through personalised attention and sustained engagement, it enhances one's sense of curiosity and fosters habits of lifelong learning. Liberal arts education seeks to circumvent the danger of irrelevancy presented by today's disciplines.


2) Provides exposure to knowledge through a wide canvas of disciplines

The philosophy of liberal arts is rooted in the unity of all knowledge. It operates in a multi-disciplinary framework that provides a wider exposure to human knowledge. For instance, through courses in physical and natural sciences, students become familiar with linear, rational and experiment-based thinking. Meanwhile, courses in fine and performing arts enable students to develop aesthetic sensibilities.


3) Develops understanding of areas of interest

A liberal arts degree provides an excellent base to delve deeper into areas of one's own interests. By choosing a major and minor field of interest, it provides students a wide choice of disciplines to specialise in. Through such combinations, in fact, students are better equipped to get skills necessary for functioning effectively in different jobs and in a global marketplace, which is need of the hour.


4) Develops tolerance, inclusion and civic values

Liberal arts education is not restricted only to intellectual advancement. It aims to increase understanding of the similarities and differences between people within a society and between societies. It aims to nurture sensitive, informed, ethical, and responsible individuals who use their knowledge to bring about a positive change.


5) Develops life and leadership skills

Practical skills for navigating through life, coupled with self-motivation, the ability to take risks, and work-life balance, are essential to lead a successful life. A liberal education programme aims to develop awareness of the self by providing these skills. Through communication and interpersonal skills, it instills the ability in students to solve problems and resolve conflicts, explore opportunities, design and execute career plans.


(Source:http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/why-liberal-arts-matter-santosh-kudtarkar-associate-dean-faculty-of-liberal-education-flame-university-pune/1/807172.html)

FLAME University and Wellesley College Commence Association


www.telegraphindia.com | November 23, 2016



FLAME University, the pioneer in Liberal Arts Education in India will begin its association with Wellesley College, Massachusetts, United States with a pilot study abroad program. Three female students from FLAME will attend Wellesley for a semester in Spring 2017.


Wellesley College is a private, women’s liberal arts college, ranked the fourth best liberal arts college in the United States in 2016. The college's robust alumnae base has been widely regarded as the "most powerful women's network in the world," and its graduates are often recognized as among the most responsive and accomplished of any institution. Notable alumnae of Wellesley College include Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, Soong Mei-ling, Cokie Roberts, and Diane Sawyer.


Commenting on the association, Dr. Viraj Shah, Chair – Office of International Relations, FLAME University, said, “We are privileged to begin our association with Wellesley College, USA, one of the most reputed and respected liberal arts colleges in the world. At FLAME, our aim is to foster a knowledge environment that kindles openness and promotes cooperative exchanges of knowledge between different countries, cultures, ages and disciplines. With this association we want to provide our students a global perspective on education and research, and prepare them for leadership and service in an interconnected globalized world. This association gives our students an opportunity to have the Wellesley College experience.”


She further added, “FLAME University’s internationalization strategy is underpinned with having a long-term perspective, forging deep and meaningful relationships steadily with institutions of high repute. Commencing with the pilot study abroad association, we hope to build and strengthen our relationship with Wellesley College in the times to come.”


Ms. Jennifer Thomas-Starck, Director of International Study, Wellesley College, expressed that Wellesley’s prospective association with FLAME University is in line with the College's current desire in increasing educational and cultural programming relating to India. She added that FLAME University’s liberal education ethos and unique faculty-student mentoring pedagogy is also fundamental to Wellesley’s mission. She is confident that Wellesley and FLAME students will learn tremendously from one another. The Wellesley community is excited to explore the prospect of associating with FLAME University and believe that two can greatly benefit from each other’s expertise. Wellesley College very much looks forward to hosting three FLAME University students for the Spring 2017 semester.


Discussions of a potential association had begun during the early part of 2016. Members of the Board of FLAME University had met with the senior leadership team of Wellesley College consisting of the Provost, academic department heads, centre heads and the head of the office of international study at their campus in Massachusetts during Fall 2016. Dr. Neelima Shukla-Bhatt, Program Director of South Asia Studies, Wellesley College, remarked, “FLAME is a unique university founded in the philosophy of liberal arts. Wellesley and FLAME have a lot in common and we hope to strengthen our academic relationship in the near future.”


Through this association, FLAME University strives to enhance the educational experience of students by encouraging and providing them with opportunities to operate in multilingual and multicultural settings at an international level. This exposure adds value to students by diversifying their learning experience; enhances their employability by having demonstrable experience of living and learning in a culture which is different from their own.


(Source: www.telegraphindia.com)

http://www.flame.edu.in/newsroom/1336-flame-university-teams-perform-admirably-at-the-google-online-marketing-challenge-2016

FLAME University joins with Babson College to build and grow entrepreneurship education


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/business-wire/flame-university-joins-with-babson-college-to-build-and-grow-entrepreneurship-education/article9524707.ece

Mantrapreneur 2017, the flagship event of FLAME Entrepreneurship Lab (FEL) is back to kindle the spirit of Entrepreneurship.
The student startup fair and pitch battle on 4th March 2017  is an incredible opportunity to showcase your startup. If you have a  startup or an idea with a working prototype, please register here: http://bit.ly/StartupFairPune 

 

“When the intent is  right the next automatically follows”, said Mr. Keki Mistry in his  optimistic outlook towards the Indian economy.

Mr. Keki Mistry addressed the students of FLAME University on 25th February 2017.
Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/newsroom/mr-keki-mistry-ceo-of-hdfc-shares-his-views-on-the-indian-economy-and-its-potential 

 Howard Marks of Oaktree Capital shares his investment philosophy with FLAME students at a value investing knowledge series
 

To know more go to :
 

http://www.flame.edu.in/newsroom/howard-marks-of-oaktree-capital-shares-his-investment-philosophy-with-flame-students-at-a-value-investing-knowledge-series

 

FLAME School of Communication alumnus, Aditi Thakor, is about to release her very first Gujarati feature film- BHANWAR!

Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/newsroom/on-the-brink-of-bhanwar 

 

FLAME  University concludes its first Investment Conference - India as a  destination for investment : Challenges and OpportunitiesThe  Finance Department at FLAME University organized the FLAME Investment  Conference on Saturday, 11th March, 2017 at their beautiful campus in  Pune.

Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/newsroom/highlights-from-flame-university-s-first-investment-conference-india-as-a-destination-for-investment-challenges-and-opportunities

 

 

Meet Abhishek Singh Sheku, Divij Shah and Harinder Singh, India's medallists at Asian Para-Cycling Championships

 

Divij Shah is an alumnus of FLAME School of Business

Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/meet-abhishek-singh-sheku-divij-shah-and-harinder-singh-india-s-medallists-at-asian-para-cycling-championships

 

M R Madhavan of PRS provides a fresh perspective on the Indian legislative process

Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/newsroom/m-r-madhavan-of-prs-provides-a-fresh-perspective-on-the-indian-legislative-process

 

Dear students , do you have these life skills?

Find out @ http://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/dear-students-do-you-have-these-life-skills 

 MBA at FLAME University: 'Globalization, Technology adoption, Diversity and Interdisciplinary thinking' key future trends

Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/mba-at-flame-university-globalization-technology-adoption-diversity-and-interdisciplinary-thinking-key-future-trends 

 

A Class Apart

Key differentiating factors at Indian B- Schools will separate the men from the boys.

Read more @ http://www.flame.edu.in/in-the-media/a-class-apart-2

The beautiful FLAME campus is spread over 53 acres of land.
Take a virtual tour of FLAME University and experience our campus and its surroundings @ http://www.flame.edu.in/campus-life/virtual-tour 

FLAME School of Business students Vikrant Jaiswal, Yash Patel andAshu Yadav have been selected to Babson Build: The  Entrepreneurship Program scheduled to be held from 23 July, 2017 to 28 July,  2017 at Babson College, near Boston, USA. Heartiest congratulations.

 

 FLAME University Announces New Partnership With Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Bloomington.

Read more @

http://www.businesstoday.in/prnewswire/index.jsp?rkey=20170427enIN201704279855A_indiapublic&filter=2418



 

'Resist Instant Gratification', Advised Mr. Nandan Nilekani at FLAME University's Annual Convocation 2017

Read more at http://www.businesstoday.in/prnewswire/index.jsp?rkey=20170503enIN201705030449_indiapublic&filter=2418