Jesuit institute to teach African market trends

(January 26, 2 011) In India, a Jesuit management institute in Mumbai, Maharashtra State, has launched a center for its students to study emerging markets in Africa. The Xavier Institute of Management and Research, XIMR, opened the “Centre for Africa Studies” in collaboration with the Makerere University Business School in Uganda. “Together, they will shoulder the responsibility of enhancing the development of people from emerging nations,” said Fr. Paul Vaz, director general of the institute. He said the center is currently intended for students, but would soon be open to firms wanting to understand Africa and learn how to conduct business there. It will launch certificate programs and special programs for corporate professionals in due course, he added. K.N. Vaidyanathan, director of XIMR, said, the center aims to serve as a bridge between the people and cultures of India and Africa, and contribute to the economic and social development of both.
Initially, the center will offer a course on “Country Studies – Africa” for XIMR’s students, which will run for two semesters. After six months, the center will offer a certificate program for corporate professionals on “Doing Business in Africa.”