IIFT: World wide web of management

Students at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade are taught about finance, marketing and trade – all from an international perspective.

A catalyst for new ideas and an institution that gives you a global perspective,” is how Varun Sharma describes the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). A second-year student of the MBA programme in international business (IB) Sharma takes pride in being part of an institute which gives one a “corporate feel.” A chance to grab lessons in finance, marketing and trade with an international perspective is another aspect that attracted Sharma to the 48-year-old IIFT. About his programme, Sharma says, “We are exposed to the global perspectives by studying subjects such as international marketing, international finance, international strategy and international brand management.”

IIFT’s industry interface happens through seminars, conferences, corporate interactions and guest lectures. “Corporate interactions are held regularly, equipping one with the relevant skills and enhance the acumen required to think like visionaries. These visits are organised by the corporate relations committee of the institute.

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Live projects, a social awareness programme, symposia, cultural events, community service activities, sports and different club activities also form an integral part of the curricula,” says Sharma.

What’s interesting is that the curriculum is revised and refurbished by management education experts and corporate honchos to ensure it reflects the dynamics of an evolving business world. Programmes in international business and industrial marketing are examples of IIFT’s diverse portfolio of courses that sharpen the skill sets of aspiring business executives and mid-career professionals. Learning at the beautiful in the lush Qutab Institutional Area with hangouts such as the Top of the World is an unforgettable experience. Be it planning how to crack the exams or preparing for upcoming fests, the students can’t think of a better place than the ‘Top of the World.’

The library is another zone which encourages a healthy exchange of ideas. Housing around 84,000 volumes and subscriptions to 800 journals with complete online cataloguing, the IIFT library is a treasure trove of information. An ideal space for industry, research scholars and students alike, it has a unique collection of publications of FAO, IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, UNCTC, World Bank, and other international agencies.

Another aspect that sets IIFT apart from others is the range of courses. “Courses range from six-month duration to three years and a number of the programmes can be pursued online as well,” says Pinaki Dasgupta, associate professor of marketing at IIFT.

Co-curricular activities at IIFT include events conducted by clubs such as Cashonova (finance club), Brandwagon (marketing club), Blash (trading club), Socrates (consulting club) and Systemix (business technology and telecom club). Their functioning is coordinated by the apex student body of IIFT, the International Management Forum, popularly known as the IMF.

The institute also has its own quiz club, Quintessential. The CSR club Koshish was established to nurture socially-conscious business leaders.

Factfile
Established in: 1963
Main courses: MBA international business
Other courses: PG diploma in international business strategy and a wide range of management development programmes in various areas of international business
Course fee: R10 lakh for the two-year programme
Number of students per batch: 220 (Delhi + Kolkata campuses)
Faculty-student ratio: 1:5
Facilities offered: Air- conditioned lecture halls with audiovisual aids, conference halls, auditorium, computer centres, indoor games, sports ground, excellent residential facilities for students
Day zero placements: 45-50%
Top recruiters: Proctor & Gamble, Deutsche Bank
Famous alumni: SK Roongta, former chairman SAIL, Manu Sawhney, managing director of ESPN Software

Taaza khabar
IIFT will offer a four-month certificate programme in global trade logistics and operations (weekends) and a certificate programme in export management from November 2011

Timepass
Top of the World, a garden on the first floor of the institute is a popular hangout zone

Wishlist
Apart from the clubs they have, students want more

College ke baad
Getting to be at the helm of affairs while organising events helped us learn a lot
— Shashank Agnihotri, Class of 2000