Indias esteem and repute is at all time high: Mr K T Chacko Director IIFT

Delivering his convocation address at IIFT, Mr K T Chacko, Director of IIFT said, Indias esteem and repute in the field of business has reached all time high. In the four decades of IIFTs existence, the institute contributes to policy making, which hones human resources and is a hub of research.

Research is one of the major focus areas at IIFT. IIFT has strived towards keeping pace with the expanding domain of knowledge through its research. In line with this objective we have substantially increased the intake for the institutes PhD programme from the year 2007, he said.

A major revamping of the Institutes Management Development Programmes took place last year resulting in initiating many new programme. Talking about MDPs, he said, In an attempt to enhance our training capabilities in response to the immense popularity and demand for such programmes among Trade and government organization, our MDP Division has introduced an online Certificate Course in Export-Import Management. Further he added, IIFT Collaboration with HughesNet Global Education to introduce this interactive learning platform is unique, which takes the Institutes as partnered with Macmillan Indian Ltd to offer an online MDP on Getting Started Export Import Trade for the benefit of entrepreneurs.

Talking about the initiative at its Kolkatta campus, Mr Chacko said, In addition to the WTO center at Delhi, a WTO Cell was started at IIFT Kolkata in collaboration with the Government of West Bengal. The Cell is designed to provide information on WTO issues, free Trade Agreements (FTAs), agriculture, etc.

Putting light on this years placements, Mr Chako said, Despite a global downturn we have experienced great response from the corporate world in our placements. The highest salary offer witnessed more than 30% increase over last year. IIFT students continued to receive job offer from all major sectors of the economy including banking and financial services, IT, telecom, FMCG Trading, consultancy, pharma and media.

Finally, Mr Chacko asked graduating IIFTians that while striving to reach to the heights of personal ambitions, they should reserve space to balance that with contributions for society.