Pedagogy

First, we believe that true learning takes place through application, by actual experience in real life, no matter how well something is explained in the classroom. This is because, unlike with classroom exercises, no business problem is a stand alone problem; it occurs in a certain historical context within the organization and it has ramifications that go well beyond any function, extending to the organization as a whole. The integrated approach to problem identification and problem solving is something that is not captured well in most classroom exercises. Our Programme accordingly attempts to focus on the workplace and on discussions of real life situations in participants' businesses. Participants will be required to constantly relate theoretical frameworks and concepts to actual business realities. This is why the Programme is designed so that participants are not required to leave their workplace for the full duration of the Programme.

Secondly, learning is a matter of discovering through reflection and critical inquiry even while one is in the process of acting. The individual teaches himself from his problem or situation and asks: why are things not working out? What is going wrong here? The individual may use various theoretical concepts in dealing with his problem, but it is the thrill of discovery in real life that constitutes true learning - learning that the individual carries with him throughout his life. For this to happen, the individual must develop the capacity to learn by himself. Our Programme, accordingly, emphasizes self-learning.

Thirdly, we believe learning requires observation of the world around us and a willingness to learn from others, and that it is more effective when it is fun. Our Programme will, therefore, encourage and require group learning through the formation of peer groups. Learning will take place when people sit around in a spirit of camaraderie, share problems and invite solutions from peers and, quite possibly, from their elders.

Following from the above, the Programme uses the following pedagogic approaches:

• programmed self-learning and group learning


• well structured classroom sessions


• interaction with teaching faculty.


• Interaction with business leaders though ‘Samagams’


• project work as application of concepts to real life situations


• experiential learning though visits and interaction at selected business "sites"


• Global perspective through foreign visit


• A co-participant network that would allow interaction among participants

At the end of each contact (period of 1 week at the institute) the participants are given Assignments – which are a kind of project to learn further on the concepts discussed about the status and validity of the same in the context of own organisation. These assignments are to be done in consultation with the mentor (who may be the father, uncle, senior manager, etc) as well as the key executives handling that specific function in the organisation.

By the end of the program the Participants are required to make a business plan with a blueprint for the next three years for the business, understand the implication of family issues and define own role in the form of a role plan.