Background
Indian industry, particularly in manufacturing, is witnessing growth rates of 14%. To sustain this growth, Indian manufacturing needs transformation through policy changes, infrastructure and a strong thrust on building competitiveness. One important aspect of building competitiveness in manufacturing is to create Visionary Leaders that can transform the manufacturing culture in India to create a 'uniqueness' about Indian companies that puts them ahead of all others. Given the Fast Clock Speed that is bringing a rapid change in our business environment, to develop competitiveness in the manufacturing sector the industry requires such a set of Visionary Leader who are capable of Innovation and Breakthrough Thinking to envision future concepts, products and become trendsetters in their business, thereby transforming the Indian manufacturing industry.
The Visionary Leaders for Manufacturing (VLFM) Program is focused on meeting this requirement by developing at least 200 - 250 Visionary Leaders in India in the next two years. It is designed to be the most advanced and innovative management education system especially devised for creating the future leadership.
With a view to building a culture of innovation amongst the senior leadership, the Programme will focus on imparting skill-based training in addition to conventional methods of knowledge and understanding. Learning's gained from the programme would have immediate application in the industry. The Programme Modules will be designed to have only 30% theory and 70% practical application for transferring skills.
Over the last two years, Professor Shiba has worked along with CII and over the last one year with NMCC (National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council) to a state of launch by August 2007. The NMCC has recognized this programme as a key National initiative under their 'Skill development' initiative. The Ministry of HRD has also played an important role in bringing the premier Institutes such as IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras and IIM Calcutta together to also participate in this initiative.
A Unique Partnership
VLFM is a National programme to develop Leaders in Manufacturing under the Indo-Japan Cooperation Agreement 2006, signed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries. It is a partnership between the Indian Industry, Academia, the Indian and the Japanese Government. The collaborating institutions include:
- National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council, Government of India
- Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan
- Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India
- Confederation of Indian Industry
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
- Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
- Japan External Trade Organisation, Japan
- The Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship, Japan
Course Details
Four different courses are being planned under the VLFM Program with a view to meeting the needs of a cross section of manufacturing industry:
- Programme for Visionary CEOs in Manufacturing
- Programme for Visionary Corporate Leaders in Manufacturing
- Programme for Visionary Managers in Manufacturing
- Programme for Visionary Entrepreneurs from Small and Medium Enterprises
These programmes are being designed based on the results of a Nation Wide Survey conducted by CII under the aegis of the NMCC.
The faculty for the Programme would be Professor Shoji Shiba, Japanese experts (under planning), industrial experts (Visionary CEO's and experts from Deming and TPM awarded companies), leading faculty from IIT Kanpur, IIT Madras, IIM, Calcutta and CII counselors.
