Recently we had a month-long interactive research workshop on plantation management at Calcutta Business School (CBS). It was an immensely enriching experience for the postgraduate diploma in management (PDGM) students and the would-be managers of tomorrow like us.

Top ranking tea garden managers with rich experience in solving problems, shared valuable tips and insights that would help us become proficient managers and team leaders. We got an overview of the tea sector covering industry insights, labour issues, sustainable growth and development, resource management and problem solving. The students got a perspective that went beyond classroom teaching. Real life organisational examples, dealing with different kinds of people, decision making ability, social responsibilities, ethical issues, managing plantations, tea estates, finances, agricultural needs, labour management, storage and marketing were discussed at length. This programme brought the students closer to the realities of working life. We are now more confident and perhaps better equipped.

Piyali Bhattacharjee,
final year, PGDM, Calcutta Business School

BHUBANESWAR

ASBM pacts

Asian School of Business Management (ASBM), Bhubaneswar, has signed memorandums of understanding with St Cloud State University, US, and University of Enterprise, Argentina. The MoU with St Cloud State University would enable the exchange of students, faculty and research scholars to promote cross-cultural learning and research activities. It would also encourage co-operation such as joint research lectures, country visits for students and faculty members, data exchange, documentation and research materials, in the field of mutual interest. The other MoU with University of Enterprise would facilitate faculty and student exchange programmes. Earlier, ASBM had signed MoUs with California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) and North Carolina Central University.

CALCUTTA

Flying colours

It still doesn’t sink in that ten of us — all civil service aspirants — have cleared the IAS Mains examination this year and have received interview calls. I am grateful for this to Institute of Civil Service Aspirants. Without the guidance of our teachers there, we could not have made it this far. Now, all of us are keeping our fingers crossed in anticipation.

Harsh Joshi,
civil service aspirant

Summer school

The British Council, Calcutta’s summer school courses commence this month. All the courses are specially designed to give children the English language skills to plan, design and complete fun-filled projects and tasks. Each two-hour lesson develops a new aspect of English and presents a new task or challenge. In the final lesson, the class will present a final performance for parents.

This year’s theme for the tailor-made courses is Olympics. Also there are courses for adults called English Impact, who are keen to develop their language skills and expand their horizons by boosting their confidence and ability in English.

The courses for children are Ace Teens (13 to 15-year-olds), Shining Stars (11 to 12-year-olds), Whizz Kids (8 to 10-year-olds).

The three-week project-based courses for young learners run over a 15-day period from May 21 to June 9.

Our adult courses are ideally suited to people who want to spend the summer break cultivating their English language skills through exciting, innovative activities in an intensive and express format. Summer School classes for adults start on May 21.

To register for the courses call at 22825370 or log on www.britishcouncil.org/india-english-learnenglish inkolkata.htm.

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