Around 30 students of different nationalities from the University of Miami visited Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennaias part of an international immersion program. The one-day visit saw interaction between the students from Miami and professors and students of Great Lakes.
The purpose of the visit was to develop and understanding of the current business scenario in India and to gain inputs on management curriculum at the school; in particular about the unique Leadership Experiential Program — Karma Yoga, which is offered at Great Lakes.
Speaking at the inaugural, Dr Vaidy Jayaraman, faculty at the School of Business, University of Miami, Florida said, “The purpose of this visit is to understand business in India and to provide the students from Miami a glimpse of the diversity in India, in terms of culture, language, education and other aspects. I am positive that this trip is going to be a life-changing experience for the Miami students.”
Dr Suresh Srinivisan, professor at Great Lakes, spoke to the students on Indian business scenario and the gaps and challenges of doing business in India. The students from Miami were eager to know more on consumer- driven Indian economy, the role of India in the IT and services sector and how the Indian legal system works.
Following this Q&A session, a case study challenge was conducted between eight teams of students from Great Lakes and University of Miami. The students deliberated on the case before the challenge and brought different perspectives to the table. It was interesting to see how a multi - demographic group could collaborate and perform in such situations.
Post the case study challenge, students from Great Lakes performed classical dances and songs from Indian folklore to entertain the students from Miami. Kamil Gil, a student from Miami University said, “I speak for all my friends here when I say that we are all amazed at the hospitality in India and its rich and diverse culture. This one day at Great Lakes will be unforgettable. Students here are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. More than anything, we are awestruck by the Great Lakes campus. I would like to thank Great Lakes for hosting us here”
Karma Yoga programme
An integral part of this visit was the students from Miami visiting villages adopted by Great Lakes for its Karma Yoga programme. Great Lakes’ Karma Yoga programme is a vital part of the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The project is a unique medium for students to connect with ground realities and experientially learn transformational leadership. In the one-of-its-kind programme in India, students have been empowering villagers from 21 villages, which have been adopted by Great Lakes, around the campus by aiding them in livelihood skills training.
The students of Miami University visited these villages and interacted with the villagers to know more about the programme and what the students of Great Lakes have learnt through this project.
Ted, a Spanish student from the University of Miama said that he found the Karma Yoga activity extremely fulfilling. “It is amazing to see what Great Lakers have been doing in these villages. It is a unique curriculum and it provides a different perspective towards management. It makes a person socially responsible. I belong to a different part of the world and what is I see here is the reality.”