“A global perspective and mutual respect for each other’s beliefs and points of view are central to our success.”
- Subash Bijlani, Professor of Practice
Business and Executive Programs,
Graduate School of Management & Technology
MyUMUC Story:
Linking Lives and Business With a Global Perspective
Subash Bijlani brings more than business savvy to UMUC—he brings an award-winning international perspective.
As the Professor of Practice, Business and Executive Programs, Graduate School of Management & Technology at UMUC, Bijlani has set in motion exciting partnerships that allow UMUC Executive MBA students to work on global interactive projects sponsored by successful Indian companies.
Thanks to Bijlani’s vision, the students were able to meet with business leaders, policy makers, and industry associations. He negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding with one of the leading business schools and the premier industry association in India which allowed UMUC students to work on their projects with students over 7,000 miles away in New Delhi, India. He believes that this sort of interactive globalized teamwork is important for students to learn in order to be successful.
Bijlani explains, “With growing globalization of business, a global perspective is essential for competitiveness of US companies. As part of their course, our students studied India’s history, economy, market system, political institutions and business culture.”
The project included an exciting two week study-visit to India where Bijlani shared not only his business savvy, but also the culture of India. Students were able to present their projects to their sponsoring Indian companies, in person.
“For most students, this was their first visit to India,”said Bijlani,“visiting offices and factories and meeting with a great diversity of people, developed an appreciation of another culture. The real value of this experience was obvious to me when, in their summing up and reflections at end of the program, a number of students remarked that this was one of their most memorable experiences of life.”
Long before Bijlani bridged the UMUC business world with Indian culture, he’d already led a dynamic life that won him much respect- and awards. During his 15 years as CEO of a successful Indian company, Bijlani took care to improve his community along with improving the business.
For his honorable initiatives, Mother Theresa awarded Bijlani with the Shiromani Award for Extraordinary Excellence. His pioneering work in the field of technician education and training had a lasting impact and his model later became part of a national program to enhance skill levels of workforce in India.
He was also awarded Life Fellowship from the Indian Institution of Manufacturing Engineers, for his contributions to the Indian engineering industry.
Bijlani explained what he learned from his ambitious achievements, “My biggest contribution has been … improving the quality of industrial and academic institutions I have worked with. In my visits to 35 countries, I have learnt how common the issues and concerns are of people and organizations around the globe. I have come to see how a global perspective and mutual respect for each other’s beliefs and points of view are central to our success.”
UMUC students can look forward to another year of linking continents and experiencing the global marketplace firsthand; Bijlani’s global project plans for 2007 are already in the works!
