Article in Maharashtra Times on the study "Employability of Economics Graduates- Bridging the Gap"

विकासाचे आलेख मोजायला इकॉनॉमिस्ट््सची वानवा Maharashtra Times 1 Nov 2011, 0558 hrs IST प्रिंट मेल शेअर सेव प्रतिक्रिया फॉन्ट: समीर कर्वे ठ्ठ मुंबई ज्या देशाचा पंतप्रधान मुक्त अर्थव्यवस्थेच्या परिवर्तनाचा शिल्पकार म्हणून ओळखला जातो, त्या देशाच्या आर्थिक राजधानीला मात्र आज विकासाच्या आलेखाचा आढावा घेण्यासाठी तल्लख अर्थतज्ज्ञ मिळेनासे झाले आहेत. आथिर्क विकासाचा बहुअंगी विस्तार तसेच जागतिक पातळीवर होणाऱ्या नितनव्या घडामोडी बदलांचा भारतीय उद्योग, व्यापारउदिम यांच्यातील निर्णयांवर मोठा प्रभाव पडत असल्याने केवळ अर्थशास्त्र पदवीधर नव्हे तर आथिर्क घडामोडींचे विश्लेषक सध्या इण्डस्ट्रीला हवे आहेत, मात्र सध्याचे उमेदवार त्यात मागे पडत असल्याचे सत्य 'द इकॉनॉमिक्स क्लब' या अभ्यास गटाने केलेल्या पाहणीत समोर आले आहे. प्रा. राजम राजगोपालन (पोदार कॉलेज, माजी उपप्राचार्या), प्रा. सतीश मेनन (वालिया कॉलेज), जोस ऑगस्टाइन (विवेक कॉलेज), शोभना पणिकर (संशोधक) व अध्यक्ष जी. एस. पणिकर या मुंबईतील प्राध्यापकांनी 'द इकॉनॉमिक्स क्लब, मुंबई' या आथिर्क विषयांवर उपक्रम राबविणाऱ्या गटामार्फत तीन ते चार महिने उद्योग, व्यापार-उदिमाच्या क्षेत्रातील निर्णयक्षम हुद्द्यावरील व्यक्तींशी चर्चा करून एक सविस्तर अहवाल तयार केला आहे. अर्थशास्त्र पदवीधरांची रोजगारक्षमता : अपेक्षा आणि दरी ( एम्प्लॉयिबिलिटी ऑफ इकॉनॉमिक ग्रॅज्युएट््स : ब्रिजिंग द गॅप) या विषयावरील या अभ्यासात उद्योगक्षेत्राच्या गरजा आणि त्यांना पुरे पडण्याची शिक्षण क्षेत्राची व पर्यायाने उमेदवारांची क्षमता हा मुख्य विषय होता. एकीकडे विदेशी गुंतवणूक वाढत आहे. त्याचवेळी भारतीय बाजारपेठ ही मिश्र स्वरुपाची आहे. येणाऱ्या संधी आणि बाजारपेठ यांची सांगड घालून कमीत कमी वेळा त्यांचे विश्लेेषण करण्याची क्षमता असणारे अर्थतज्ज्ञ गरजेचे आहेत. विदेशातील वेळेनुसार एका रात्रीत विदेशी बाजारपेठेत काही उलटपालट घडले, तर त्याचे भारतीय बाजारपेठेवर काय परिणाम होतील, याचे तर्क किंवा आडाखे बिझनेस लीडर्सना सकाळी सकाळी टेबलावर लागतात. पण असे विश्लेषकच आपले शिक्षण क्षेत्र सध्या देऊ शकत नाही. नवोदित उमेदवारांमध्ये विश्लेषणक्षमता, तर्कशास्त्र, अभिव्यक्ती कौशल्य, उत्साह, शिकण्याचा ध्यास, सिध्दांतांचा अभ्यास करण्याची तयारी व खऱ्या जीवनाशी ते जोडण्याचे कसब या सर्वांचा अभाव असल्याचा स्पष्ट निष्कर्ष यात काढण्यात आला आहे. वानवा का? या दरीचे एक महत्त्वाचे कारण म्हणजे आयआयटी, आयआयएमच्या धतीर्वर आथिर्क विश्लेषणाचे ज्ञान देणाऱ्या दजेर्दार संस्थाच सध्या नाहीत. 'शैक्षणिक संस्थांमधून समस्यापूतीर्च्या (प्रॉब्लेमसॉल्विंग) असाइनमेन्ट््सच दिल्या जात नाहीत, विद्याथीर् मूळ लेख (ओरिजनल टेक्स्ट) वाचतच नाहीत व कित्येकदा शिक्षकही विद्यार्थ्यांना पुरेसे प्रेरित करीत नाहीत, अशी खंत बँक ऑफ बडोदाच्या मुख्य अर्थतज्ज्ञ डॉ. रुपा रेगे-नित्सुरे यांनी व्यक्त केली आहे. 'सध्याची व्यवस्था, अभ्यासक्रम आणि तपासणी अपुरी असून अभ्यासक्रमाच्या बाहेरच्या आकलनास मर्यादा आहेत. ज्ञानाला व्यावहारिक संदर्भ देण्याची गरज आहे, असे मत टाटा ग्रुपचे निवृत्त अर्थतज्ज्ञ एस. एस. भंडारे यांनी व्यक्त केले आहे. निव्वळ पॉवर पॉइन्ट प्रेझेन्टेशन वापरले म्हणजे अध्यापनाचा दर्जा उंचावला असे होत नाही, अशीही प्रति्क्रिया शिक्षणक्षेत्रातूनच नोंदविण्यात आली आहे.

11th Annual Economics Festival of Mumbai

ARTH-MANTHAN 2011 – The Economics Festival

Arth–Manthan 2011 will be held on 26th & 27th August. Development continues to be the theme at Arth-Manthan this year too! We will be reviewing economic reforms and devising strategies for development. Also in the light of events we have witnessed over the past one year we will be laying emphasis on issues like effective governance, fighting corruption and the role of civil society.

Key issues that will be discussed at Arth-Manthan 2011 are education, economic policies of the government and its impact, internal peace, corruption in public and private life, business ethics, governance and social responsibility, role of civil society and the wave of democracy in the Middle East.

Today’s the world going through an unprecedented turmoil. The biggest financial powers are reeling under recessionary pressures. Traditional economic policies have failed. The world now needs economists who can think innovatively! Learning only outdated theories does not equip an economics student to deal with the kind of challenges the world faces today. Economics students need to have a strong understanding of the current economic scenario... Through Arth-Manthan we aim to get them to analyse economic issues and think like new age economists!

MISSION OF ARTH-MANTHAN

"To attract and enhance students’ interest in and enthusiasm towards Economics by bringing the subject to life."

The Key Objectives of the festival are to: Enhance the learning process by introduction of “Action-Oriented” learning Promote an active student-centered and student-friendly approach to learning Encourage students to think like global leaders in economics Show that economics can be a fascinating and lively subject dealing with real life problems rather than just abstract theories being currently taught in classrooms Encourage the students to apply economic concepts to real life Water the seed of creativity within students Check the site for details. www.arth-manthan.com

Pre Budget Discussion Meet

On behalf of The Economics Club, Mumbai, a Forum of Economics teachers and students, I am very glad to inform you that we have organised a Pre-Budget Discussion Meet for teachers and students in Mumbai. The programme will be held on 26 February at 10.30 am at G.N. Khalsa College, Matunga , Mumbai. Admission is free.

The sessions and speakers for the Discussion Meet are:

1. Mr. D. Sundaram, Managing Director and Vice Chairman, TVS Capital Funds Ltd, Former Vice Chairman and CFO of Hindustan Unilever Ltd. who will be talking on ‘Expectations of Corporate India from the Budget’.

2. Mr. R. Katoti, Senior Economist, Tata Services Ltd. will be talking on ‘The Budget Making Process’in India .

3. Mr Raghav Narsalay, Senior Economist at Accenture will speak on 'Impact of Inflation on Budget and GDP growth rate'

The Economics Club, Mumbai has been working to create economic literacy by organising public meetings and workshops for teachers and students. We have also been campaigning for change in curriculum as the outdated curriculum, textbooks and teaching techniques have been a source of major concern for educators in our state. During the past couple of years we have organised series of workshops on modern methods of teaching and use of technology,effective public delivery system,working of the foreign exchange market etc.

Free Workshop on the 'Working of Foreign Exchange Market in India'

We are very proud to announce our next public programme for Economics teachers, students and other members. It will be a workshop on 'The working of Foreign Exchange Market in India' .Through this workshop we hope to get an understanding of the working of the foreign exchange market and to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Experts on Treasury and Risk Management like Mr Jamal Mecklai (CEO, Mecklai Financials) will conduct sessions.

The workshop will be jointly organised by the IMC Economic Research Foundation, The Economics Club, Mumbai and the Forum of Free Enterprise on 30th Sept.2010. ( ( 9.30am). The venue is Seth Walchand Hall, 4th Floor, Indian Merchants' Chamber, Churchgate Mumbai .20

I request all friends to become a life member of The Economics Club, Mumbai and be part of our various activities for the youth.Our mission is 'To Create Leaders in Economics'.

For registration, Contact The Economics Club, at learneconomics@gmail.com

10th Annual Economics Festival of Mumbai- Arthmanthan

THEME OF ARTH-MANTHAN 2010 – The Economics Festival of Mumbai





The theme for Arth-Manthan 2010 is ‘DEVELOPMENT’! India is moving ahead on the path to development; it even managed to tide the global recession with many calling India a bright spot on the recession! The Indian economy is definitely gaining in size and confidence! We see today an India that is increasingly confident and is stepping out into the world full of pride and ambition. We are standing at a threshold and looking into a future that has exciting times in store for us!



This nation of more than a billion people is transforming into a power to reckon with and has arrived in the global arena, but where from here... there is a lot more to be achieved... do we have a plan chalked out for our future? India has one of the youngest populations of the world! But the full potential of the youth is not being utilised. The youth is willing and waiting to take on the world. Are we giving them good opportunities by way of education and good living conditions?



There are many issues that India is still grappling with... We need to identify the likely bottlenecks in our journey to success. Is it infrastructure that is not keeping pace with the growth or is it self-seeking politicians and bureaucracy? We will address these and many more development challenges through Arth-Manthan – The Economics Festival of Mumbai this year.



Key issues that will be discussed at Arth-Manthan 2010 are Education, Poverty, Internal Peace and Security, Leadership, Global Peace and Environment.

MISSION OF ARTH-MANTHAN


"To attract and enhance students’ interest in and enthusiasm towards Economics by bringing the subject to life."



The Key Objectives of the festival are to:



v Enhance the learning process by introduction of “Action-Oriented” learning

v Promote an active student-centered and student-friendly approach to learning

v Encourage students to think like global leaders in economics

v Show that economics can be a fascinating and lively subject dealing with real life problems rather than just abstract theories being currently taught in classrooms

v Encourage the students to apply economic concepts to real life

v Water the seed of creativity within students



EVENTS @ ARTH-MANTHAN 2010



Arth-Manthan is a two - day festival laced with fun, learning, prizes and numerous events!!!



CHAK DE INDIA - The Maha Debate

(Round One: 20th August – 11 am) (Debate: 21st August – 9:30 am)



There will be two rounds in this competition. In round one on 20th August, you have to speak your heart out on any one of the three topics given below for three minutes. 10 best speakers – fiery, passionate and sincere - will qualify for the Maha-Debate. Here they will be split into two teams for the final event, which will be held on 21st August.

Through this debate we urge our youth to take the lead, to step out of their comfort zones and to clean the system.



Theme for Round One: Politics – Young India is crying out for change!

“Public jo tera baat baat pe Ghabraaye, Dil pe rakh ke haath usae tu fuslaa le, Public idiot hai pyaar se usko samjha le”

— Topics:

o Is bad politics responsible for India’s poverty?

o UID (Unique Identification) Project: Step to include all and keep out corruption

o Can we clean up Indian politics by keeping out people corruption charges?



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August



GLOBAL LEADERS MEET - (20th August – 11 am)

“Give me some Sunshine, Give me some rain, Give me another chance, I wanna grow up once again”



The participating teams will play the role of economic advisers of the various world countries allotted to them in advance. They will analyse the current economic policies of their country and discuss on measures to improve the standard of living of their country. An important agenda at this year’s meet is ‘Working towards global peace and economic co-operation’. (Dealing with issues like cross-border terrorism, poverty, immigration, environment and debt) Well, you have to truly represent the country allotted to you; that could mean dressing up like them and speaking a bit of the native language too!



No. of Members per team: 5 Duration of Presentation: 20 mins.

Last Date for submitting entries and allotment of countries: On or before, 14th August

For Registration please contact: Prof. Ashwini Ranade – M. 9833284853





Classic Collection: (20th & 21st August)



The Book Exhibition will include a wide range of books on Economics and Management. Some of the most popular textbooks and reference books used in foreign universities will also be displayed.



- The Essay Competition



TOPICS:

! Cleaning up our rivers: need of the hour!

! Has India failed to capitalize on the Common wealth games?

! Solution to Red violence: Talks and Development or Better Policing?



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

Last Date for submitting Essays: On or before, 16th August

(Maximum 2000 words) Results of the competition will be announced at 1 pm on 20th August



WAR OF WORDS Elocution Competition (20th August – 1pm)

Theme: Education

“Kandhon ko kitabon, Ke bojh ne jhukaya Likh likh pada hatheli par, Alpha beta gamma ka chaala
Concentrated H2so4, Ne Poora Poora bachpan jala daala”



— Can foreign universities solve the skill problem?

— Can competition in the higher education sector improve quality?

— Can we have an education revolution similar to telecom?

— Is our education system killing innovation and creativity?



Speeches can be in English, Hindi or Marathi Duration of Speech: 5 mins
Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

Evaluation on the basis of Delivery Style, Substance and Body Language





TOONY LUNES - Cartoon Competition

Topic: TAMING INFLATION… “Inflation hi inflation hai… solution kuch pata nahin”



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

Last Date for submitting cartoons: On or before, 18th August

Results of the competition will be announced at 1pm on 20th August







Students from various colleges can use this platform to express their concerns over rising inflation through creative and humourous cartoons.



DRAW’ EM UP: Poster Competition

Students have to prepare Posters, which will be displayed during Arth-Manthan at the Poster Exhibition.



THEME: INDIA @ 2050 – Fulfilling our dreams

“Amber ka chand Zameen par, Itra ke gaa raha, Ek tim tim toota tara, Ithla ke gaa raha”



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

Last Date for submitting Posters: On or before, 18th August

Results of the competition will be announced at 1pm on 20th August

Cartoons and Posters must be made on white chart paper of 22” X 28” size with each participant’s name, class and college written at the back of the Poster/Cartoon.



Business Plan (20th August – 1pm)

“Woh khud apni raah banata, Ulti dhara cheer ke tairta thaw oh”

Can India become a dream factory? Do you think Indian companies have arrived with success stories like that of Micromax, Waterlife India and Chamak?

We need ‘merchants of ideas’ betting big on India! So do you have an idea, an interesting business plan, or do you have the knack of sniffing out business opportunities… well come ahead and present your idea, the business model and the action plan to make your dream a reality.



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

Last date for submitting business plan: 16th August

Presentation on: 20th August



QUIZ WIZ & JUNIOR QUIZ

(Junior Quiz: 20th August – 12 noon; Quiz Wiz: 20th August – 1:30 pm)

“Question hi question hai... jawaab kuch pata nahi... jawaab jo mila to Question kya tha pata nahin”



Topic: Current Economic Issues 5 participants per team

Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

For Junior Quiz please contact Prof. Shashikant Panchgalle - 9702346977



AD-MASTERS (21st August 9 am)
“Zoobi doobi zoobi doobi naache kyun creative Ad-Master!”

In this event participating teams will be given a product each, for which they have to prepare and present a logo, jingle and television advertisement.

5 participants per team Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August



BUDDING ECONOMIST (21st August – 10 am)

“Desh ke ghav pe marham jaisa hai woh… Hamara Budding economist hai woh!”



Students have to submit Reports and make Presentations on any one of the topics given below:

q ‘Sabse bada rupaih’ - Can Indian Rupee become the Global Reserve Currency?

q Educating the bottom of the pyramid: does the answer lie in the private sector?

q Opening up the retail sector – fears and opportunities



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 12th August (3 Participants per team)

Submission of Report: 18th August

(Reports must be hand-written or typed neatly and should not exceed more than 2000 words.)

Final Presentation has to be made in PowerPoint

For Registration contact Prof. Manik Tembe – M. 9920031613



Cut out da noose!

“Chase Excellence, success will follow”



Students have to submit recent paper cuttings, photographs, cartoons etc. from newspapers and magazines on the given theme. These have to be pasted on A4 size foolscap sheets, neatly arranged in a file. ‘Cut, Copy, Paste’ from the Net not allowed!

Ø Theme: “Indian industry taking lead in innovation”

The cut – outs could include issues relating to success of Indian companies in introducing new products, technology etc.



Last Date for submitting Entries: On or before, 14th August

Last Date of submission of cut-outs: 18th August

No Limit on number of entries

Results of the competition will be announced at 1pm on 20th August



ECONOMICS ... It’s Rockin’...!!! (21st August – 10 am)

“Gungunati hain yeh hawayein, Gunuunata hai gagan, Gaa raha hai yeh sara aalam Economics ke gunn”



Tired of the same old lectures on Economics... ever wished Eco classes were as interesting as your favourite song... well here’s your chance to make economics more fun... Prepare your own economics song and we’ll offer you the mike to sing out loud!!! These songs could be on economists like Adam Smith, David Ricardo, Marshall or on economic terms like Demand and supply, diminishing marginal utility, elasticity of demand etc. Well of course you have the option to set tunes on latest Bollywood hits! For more inspiration, you can check out YouTube for some interesting videos on economics!





Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August (No limit on number of entries)



ECONOMICS IN MOTION! (Short Movie Contest) (21st August – 11 am)

“Jaisa filmo mein hota hai, Ho raha hai hu bahoo”



You can select any economic issue like poverty, pollution in Mumbai, traffic congestion etc. and prepare a short film on it. You will be judged on various parameters including presentation of the issue at hand, innovative thinking, acting skills, effective use of props, costumes, music. Here’s your chance to get funny, witty or satirical! (Please note that violence and obscenity will not be entertained)



Last Date for submitting entries: On or before, 14th August

No. of Members per team: 5 (One Team per College)

Education is an Experience!

Recently Dr Andrew Hamilton was in India . He is the 271st Vice-Chancellor of the prestigious Oxford University. In an interview to The Times of India in New Delhi,he elaborated his strategy for the University.When asked about opening a campus in India ,he peplied that learning at Oxford is a life-time experience and 'Oxford cannot be franchised like hamburgers'.
Very true. Education is a lifelong experience to be cherished by every person through out his life.His interview is quite relevant at a time when India is planning to invite foreign universities to open campuses here. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/interviews/Oxford-cannot-be-franchised-like-hamburgers/articleshow/5733672.cms

Prize winners at Arthmanthan 2010

1. Quiz Wiz (Degree college)

1st – Vaze College, Mulund (Dipali Patil, Sneha Jain, Jayawanti, Renu, Radhika)

2nd – N.G.Acharya College, Chembur (Rahul, Sushant, Nilesh, Avadhut, Hari)

2. Quiz Wiz (Junior college)

1st – N.G.Acharya College, Chembur (Shaikh Sattar, Shaikh Firoz, T.MAharajan, Sandhya Jaiswal, Yadav Rajeshwari

3. Pen’em Down

1st –Podar College (Sahana Raghunathan)

2nd – Nagindas Khandwala College (Hiteshvi Desai)

- ICFAI (Iyer Sujatha Shankar)

3rd - N.G.Acharya College, Chembur (Ranju Mishra)

Cons prize: N.G.Acharya College, Chembur (Reena Batini)

4. War of Words 1st - Nagindas Khandwala College (Shan Xavier)

2nd – K.J Somaiya (Vishal)

3rd – K.J Somaiya (Amruta Mane)

5. Draw’em up

1st - N.G.Acharya College (Ramesh Waghware)

2nd - K.J Somaiya (Swapnali Parker)

3rd - Vaze College, Mulund(Niyati K. Hadkar)

- Jhunjhunwala College (Suja Johany)

6. News you can use 1st – Nagindas Khandwala College (Krishna V)

2nd - N.G.Acharya College (Reena Gotal)

3rd - Nagindas Khandwala College (Janhvi Singh)

7. Economics – it’s Rocking(Solo) 1st- N.G.Acharya College (Amol Dadas)

2nd - N.G.Acharya College (Reena Batini)

3rd- Swami Vivekanand College, Dombivli (Jayant Shinde)

Special Prize for innovative ideas. V.G.vaze College ( Anjali Nair)

8. Economics – it’s Rocking(Duet)

1st - N.G.Acharya College (Shraddha)

2nd- N.G.Acharya College (Abhay)

3rd- N.G.Acharya College (Swapnil)

9. Budding Economist 1st – K.B. College (Bhavana Jadhav, Sadhika Pathan, Yolisha D’Silva)

10. Global leaders meet 1st - K.B College, Thane