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Muscat gets first IIM online classrooms

By Rejimon K

MUSCAT: In a new initiative, with the help of high-end technology, Al Osool Al Arabia LLC, will facilitate a distance education platform for executives and professionals to pursue business management courses. The company will provide courses offered by premier business schools like IIM-Calcutta, IIM-Kozhikode, IIM-Lucknow, XLRI Jamshedpur, MIC Ahmedabad, IIT-Bombay, IIFT-Delhi, which have a global reputation.

"For the first time in Oman, real-time interactive onsite learning through HughesNet provides an ideal platform for business executives and working professionals to fulfil their dreams of higher education. Al Osool's primary activity includes providing corporate business solutions. We are also the authorised channel partner of ACL, the leading global provider of business assurance technology, in Oman," Jose Chacko, CEO of Al Osool, told Times of Oman.

Al Osool has invited applications for IIM-Calcutta's one-year executive programme in business management and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade's one-year executive post-graduate diploma in international business.

IIM's course is designed to provide managers and professionals with a broad overview of the key concepts, tools and techniques needed to successfully meet the challenges of today's global business environment. Executives having 50 per cent marks and five to 15 years of experience are eligible to enroll for the course. Prof. Anindya Sen, Prof. Krishanu Rakshit and Prof. Prarthan Desai will lead the programme along with other faculty from IIM-Calcutta.

IIFT's course is a specialised programme that provides a scientific approach to business decision-making in today's dynamic and competitive international business environment. The course will provide an opportunity for middle and senior level executives to refresh and upgrade their managerial skills without interrupting their professional activities. Graduates with a minimum five years of work experience are eligible to enroll for the course.

Classes for IIM-Calcutta, will be conducted in Osool Arabia's corporate training centre located at CBD area from 2:00pm to 5:00pm whereas IIFT classes will be from 7.45am to 2:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. "If any of the corporates wish to set up interactive learning facility in their premises, it can be done, so that travelling to our training centre can be avoided," Jose said.

Al Osool will facilitate the platform in Muscat in association with HughesNet Global Education. HughesNet Global Education, a business segment of Hughes Communications India, provides platform on technology-based education through real time Interactive Onsite Learning. The platform seamlessly integrates the strengths and advantages of the traditional method of education with the latest in technology.

It has live, interactive, real-time, two-way video, voice and data classes, and is spread across 215 classrooms in 91 cities in the world.

"Our centre will offer interactivity similar to a live classroom session, where a student sitting at our centre can interact freely with the professor, raise questions, queries, etc., making the interaction as spontaneous and natural as in a regular classroom. There is extensive use of two-way video, voice and data. The pedagogy is highly interactive. It consists of a judicious blend of lectures, real life case studies, quiz, assignments, etc.," Jose added.

The closing date for applications for IIM and IIFT courses is November 10.

"We will coordinate with the applicants to deal with the IIM and IIFT. Fee should be paid directly to the institutes by demand draft or online payment. Assessments will be conducted by both the institutions directly and the certificates will be provided by them. The course includes a mandatory three-day interactive session at IIM-Calcutta during the first semester and IIM professors will be available for another three days in the region during the second semester. IIM-Calcutta is also offering an alumni status for the successful students," Jose Chacko added.

First batch of EPBM International has been successfully completed by the students of UAE and convocation ceremony was conducted recently in Dubai. "Many senior corporate executives completed the course successfully. We got a good response in Dubai. We expect the same in Muscat. It is a golden opportunity for executives and professionals who want to rise in their career," Jose added.

© Times of Oman 2010