Dr. Eileen Peacock, Vice President & Chief Officer, Asia of AACSB International (Global network of Business schools) visited the Indian Institute of Cost and Management Studies & Research (IndSearch), Pune on Wednesday, the 27th January 2010. During her visit Dr. Peacock planted a Bakul tree at the IndSearch Bio diversity Bavdhan campus. The botanical name of Bakul tree is Mimusops elengi, it has a medicinal value, when it flowers the aroma is very pleasant. She also took a round at the Academic facilities at the Bavdhan new campus and subsequently had a meeting at the campus of the Institute at the Law College Road with the faculty members. IndSearch Director, Dr. Ashok Joshi welcomed Dr. Peacock and felicitated her in a traditional way by offering her a shawl, coconut, bouquet and IndSearch souvenir items and introduced her to the faculty members who attended the meeting. Prof. Manisha Chopde, Joint Coordinator- IndSearch Quality Assurance Cell, made a brief presentation about IndSearch activities to Dr. Peacock.

Dr. Peacock gave a presentation on the AACSB’s accreditation process. The presentation was followed by question & answer session and Dr. Peacock addressed the various questions raised by the faculty members. The institute hosted a dinner in honour of Dr. Peacock.

The meeting and dinner was attended by faculty members along with the Director, Dr. Ashok Joshi and Associate Deans Dr. N. M Vechalekar and Dr. Sunita Joshi.

       (L to R Dr. Singh, Dr. Ashok Joshi, Prof. Y. K. Bhushan)

In the 11th Annual Convention on Leadership 2009, held in Mumbai on 20th November 2009 at the campus of Indian Education Society, IndSearch Director Dr. Ashok Joshi was conferred with the Professor Dharni Sinha Memorial Award for EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT EDUCATION. Prof. Y. K. Bhushan Vice Chancellor, ICFAI Meghalaya University Conferred the award on Dr. Joshi. Dr. P. N. Singh Chairman, Grid Consultants Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai presided over the function. The convention focused on how to face the economic downturn and leadership lessons for young managers. The Convention deliberated on learning leadership models from successful organizations. CEOs and top managers from various companies discussed best practices and experiences in the field of leadership development.

Director IndSearch Dr. Ashok Joshi, was awarded the Honorary Inaugural Fellow Membership of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (CPM) Sri Lanka by Prof Lakshman Watawala - President Certified Professional Managers, In a glittering ceremony at the Taj Samudra in Sri Lanka on the 24th of November2009, in the presence a large number of Corporate Managers. On the same occasion, General Sarath Fonseka –former Chief of Defense Staff and Former Army Commander of Sri Lanka was conferred the Honorary Inaugural Fellow Membership of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (CPM) Sri Lanka

The IndSearch Centre Of Sustainability Management (i-cosm) was inaugurated on Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, the 2nd of October 2009 by Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar – Director Board of College & Universities Development, University of Pune, at IndSearch Bio-Diversity Campus at Bavdhan Pune.

Director IndSearch, Dr. Ashok Joshi welcomed the Guests and introduced Dr. L Ramakrishnan - Formerly General Manager-Sustainability Management –Asia Pacific region, Philips Ltd. - who will be heading the IndSearch Centre Of Sustainability Management (i-cosm),and has joined IndSearch as a Distinguished Professor of Sustainability Management. Dr. Joshi also gave a background about the need for establishment of this centre and its importance, in the light of Global Warming and Climate change and its impact on Global Economy, vis-à-vis the role of MBA students.

Dr. L Ramakrishnan envisaged his vision to become a leading research, education and training institute on Sustainability Management and to become a global center in the coming five years.

He further narrated the mission to develop Business Managers with a passion for social and environmental responsibilities without losing focus on economic responsibilities through research, education and training.

IndSearch Chairman Prof Pramod Parkhi felicitated Dr. Pandit Vidyasagar and Dr. Ashok Joshi felicitated Dr. L Ramakrishnan on the occasion.

Prof Manisha Chopde coordinator of the program proposed the vote of thanks

     (L to R Dr. N.M.Vechalekar, Mr. Amit Apte , Prof. Onkar Natu)

IndSearch, jointly with The Pune Chapter of Cost Accountants and Ministry of Corporate Affairs, New Delhi, organized a lecture of Mr. Amit Apte, Vice Chairman of The Western India Regional Council of ICWAI and a practicing Cost Accountant, Pune on the subject of ‘Corporate Governance’ on Saturday, 19th December 2009. This lecture was organized as a part of the celebration of ‘Corporate Week’ which was declared from 14th December to 19th December 2009 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi. The lecture was attended by a large number of MBA first year students and was co-ordinated by Prof. Onkar Natu.

Elaborating the concept of ‘Corporate Governance’, Mr. Amit Apte said that the Corporate Governance has the objective of maximizing the value of not only the shareholders but of all the stakeholders of a company. He mentioned that though the concept of Corporate Governance has been discussed quite recently, it dates back to the era of Mourya Dynasty in India where Koutilya, the great economist not only advocated it but also practiced to ensure better governance. Mr. Apte also discussed in detail the recommendations made be various committees appointed by the Government in this regard and the provisions of Companies Act regarding Corporate Governance. Real life cases of Corporate Governance were also discussed. The lecture followed by a question –answer session in which the students asked various questions on the topic. Dr Nachiket M.Vechalekar, Associate Dean – PGP, proposed a hearty vote of thanks at the end of the session.