Improving management education will be the focus of a new alliance between Imperial College Business School and the Hero Group in India.

The Business School has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with BML Munjal University (BMU) to provide assistance in developing its School of Management.  The Business School will serve as a mentor institution helping BMU to form, develop and grow its School of Management.  The collaboration will encompass both research and education activities, with BMU opening its doors to students in July 2014.

The President and Rector and VIPs in India signing the Memorandum of Understanding

Commenting on the signing of the agreement, Professor Dorothy Griffiths, Principal of the Business School, said:

“India is one of the fastest growing economies and this is a great opportunity for the Business School to be at the heart of this exciting story.  Our partnership with BMU will benefit our students, who can take advantage of the opportunity to study and learn in a fast paced and evolving environment, further increasing their expertise and experience.   We look forward to exchanging ideas, students and knowledge with BMU.”

The signing of the agreement took place on 9 January 2013 in New Delhi. It was attended by Imperial College London President and Rector, Sir Keith O’Nions and Professor Gerry George, Director of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre, and Deputy Principal for Faculty and Programmes at Imperial College Business School.  They were joined by distinguished guests including the Indian Education Minister Mr Pallam Raju, Minister of Law Mr Ashwani Kumar, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of the Republic of India Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, and the Chief Minister of Haryana Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

BMU aims to create a talented community of students and faculty to excel in teaching, learning and research, with a major focus on technological advancement and socio-economic development.  The Business School was selected by BMU to engage in this collaboration because of its expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship.  Similarly, the Hero Group has a track record of over 50 years of successful business operations and revenues of over eight billion dollars.  The group is amongst the most respected Indian business houses with a world leadership position in several of its businesses.

The relationship will include designing teaching programmes, the development of the curriculum, student exchange and summer study programmes for Business School students along with joint research projects, faculty exchange, and executive education.

Professor Gerry George added:

“We are starting from scratch to create the business school as part of a global university with a focus on research and teaching excellence. Not only does it allow the Business School to play a vital role in shaping the next generation of leaders in India, it creates a platform for collaboration and immersion for our students and our faculty.  It is a window of opportunity for us to learn from India just as much as they learn from our experience and expertise.”