XLRI inaugurates 8th batch of Post Graduate Programme for Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management

The new batch consists of 40 students shortlisted on the basis of a rigorous selection process. While half of the students are from Jharkhand, the rest is drawn from the rest of the country.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Fr. E. Abraham, S.J (Director, XLRI), Dr. A. K. Pani (Dean [Academics], XLRI), Fr. Jerry Cutinha, S.J. (Dean [Administration & Finance], XLRI) and Dr. Vishwa Ballabh (Chairperson, Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) at XLRI).

Addressing the students, Fr. E. Abraham S.J, Director, XLRI said, “We have to carry out our responsibilities as a social entity. A strong connection with the society will provide the edifice for value-oriented learning. XLRI, besides being a higher learning institution is also a social institution and we try to inspire future business leaders like you to search for solutions to the socio-economic problems in the environment in which we are living.  However, our resurgent economy is slowly but steadily putting in place a favourable eco-system for budding entrepreneurs like you all.”

On the occasion, Fr. Abraham also congratulated XLRI student Harshit Sonkar, who under the mentorship of XLRI’s Entrepreneurship Development Centre and its Chairperson Prof. Vishwa Ballabh, created the NGO ‘The Mango Foundation’ with the aim to provide basic education to children of economically deprived sections of society.

Beginning journey in 2016 with only 10 students, 3 volunteers and a noble intention, ‘The Mango Foundation’ currently has 100 students and has also received great support from Harley Davidson Group, Lucknow Gazelles, PVR, Coca-Cola, Red FM, OYO Rooms and many others by April 2017. “It is heartening to learn that ‘The Mango Foundation’ is doing all the right things to bring about a positive impact in the society and has the kept flag of XLRI flying high,” Fr. Abraham commented.

“Our new students have diverse educational backgrounds in professional disciplines like engineering, business management, computer application, fashion industry, tourism & logistic, Mass communication, Digital Cinematography, PG Diploma in Emergency Medical Services etc. More than 40 per cent of the students have work experience of varying duration. We hope the diversity among the students will help the process of peer learning,” Fr. Abraham said.

Fr. Abraham further added, “We are happy to note that a majority of the graduates passing out of the previous seven batches of this programme are into their own entrepreneurial ventures. We expect our students to make the best of their stint in XLRI during the next six months. We would like them not only to imbibe the nuances of entrepreneurship, but also to develop within themselves the values of honesty, integrity and fellow feeling, so that they turn out not only as competent entrepreneurs, but also as good human beings.”

The Post Graduate Programme for Certificate in Entrepreneurship Management (PGP-CEM) is a full time 6-month program in the domain of entrepreneurship management designed and developed by Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC) of XLRI to provide competency-based education to the candidates with a view to promoting entrepreneurship having equipped them with the essential conceptual and operational skills required for running an entrepreneurial venture successfully.

Dr. Vishwa Ballabh, Chairperson, Entrepreneurship Development Centre (EDC), XLRI commented, “Our objective in launching this programme is to generate a breed of entrepreneurs who are equipped with conceptual and operational skills required for running an entrepreneurial venture successfully. The programme has been designed carefully in order to ensure that it helps meet the gaps identified in similar programmes currently being run elsewhere. We would like the graduates of PGP-CEM not only to be informed of the different functions of an entrepreneur, but also to be equipped adequately to get over the challenges as and when they encounter the same. We are happy to see that over the years, many of our graduates have come forward with unique ideas and launched their own ventures.”