(May 31, 2011) A group of students from a Jesuit-run management institute in India
are in East Africa to study its economy and culture and strengthen bilateral relationship.
The visit of the students of Xavier Institute of Management and Research – XIMR,
is in keeping with India’s strategic focus on Africa, as a part of its foreign policy,
Father Paul Vaz, director general of XIMR said on Monday. “The idea is to find commonalities
between emerging markets, and develop sensitivity towards the multitudes at the bottom
of the pyramid by providing value to them,” said the Jesuit priest. The 15 students
will spend 10 weeks with international companies in different sectors. They will also
gain insights into African culture, said the institute’s director K N Vaidyanathan.
Once they gain an experience of understanding country cultures, the students would
then be prepared for careers in this challenging continent, he said. Jesuit father
Conrad Pesso, a core faculty member said the visit will develop holistic, evaluative
skills of the students in conducting research. Nirmala Mary Rego, director of branding
at XIMR, said the institute creates leaders with a global focus. “We will be moving
to Latin America soon,” she added.