UST Global launches MBA programme for techies

The Hindu Business Line, July 21, 2011 - UST Global, a California-based multinational company operating in the IT services and consulting space, has unveiled a novel continuing education initiative targeting management capability development for the IT workforce. The UST MBA programme is a fully online management education programme customised for the new age IT professional, and is powered by ‘Max Value Univ' in partnership with the Bharathiar University. As an extension of the programme, several deserving students from various institutions in the State will be provided an opportunity to earn an MBA degree fully sponsored by UST Global, a company spokesperson said. In the first phase, the UST MBA programme would cover around 500 employees selected from the offshore centres of UST Global, offering them a chance to earn their MBA degree without a break in their career. The company will bear the entire expense of the programme for its employees, and will also sponsor several students handpicked from the economically backward sections of the society to pursue higher education and gain a management degree through the same programme. ATTRITION NON-ISSUE Speaking on the occasion, Mr Harish Parameswaran, Director, Human Resources, UST Global, endorsed the idea of online learning from a corporate standpoint. He made it clear that his company wouldn't be worried about increased attrition as a result of employees acquiring new skills through such programmes. On the contrary, the programme signifies the commitment of the organisation towards inculcating a habit of learning in each employee, he added. Admission tokens were handed over to the students of the inaugural batch. Earlier on Thursday, the programme was inaugurated on Thursday at Technopark here in the presence of Prof M. J. Xavier (Director, IIM-Ranchi), renowned author Ms Anita Nair, and Dr P. V. John (national record holder for being the most professionally qualified individual). POWERFUL TRIGGER Mr Niketh Sundar, Global Head-Human Resources, UST Global, said continuous learning is the most powerful trigger for complete employee engagement, which in turn translates to organisational performance. In her keynote address, Ms Anita Nair emphasised that a management degree has so much more to offer than just being a stepping stone up the corporate ladder.

Sources: The Hindu Business Line, express buzz, IBN Live India, Kerala News portal