Date:08/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/01/08/stories/2005010801811700.htm

Back Yale-GLIM Centre to focus on India-centric research

Our Bureau

Chennai , Jan. 7

THE Yale-GLIM Centre for Management Research, which got off to a start at an elaborate function here today, will look to predominantly analyse India-centric data and the academic output generated will be available to relevant Indian industries and corporates.

Dr Bala Balachandran, Founder and Honorary Dean of the Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM), said that the institute would be able to establish a strong brand equity based on its research capability and create a world-class platform for Yale to reach out to Indian markets, industry as well as government.

Speaking at a function at the Tidel Park auditorium where all the board members of GLIM and a delegation from Yale University were present, Dr Balachandran said that the centre will undertake management - related research activities and consultancy projects which contribute to the development of basic and advanced applied knowledge in the field of management.

Ms Linda Koch Lorimer, Vice-President and Secretary, Yale University, said that it was the first such joint venture abroad in the field of management that the over 300-year-old university has entered into. Ms Lorimer was on the dais in place of Dr Richard Levin, President, Yale, whose flight was delayed and could not make it in time for the function.

Ms Lorimer said that GLIM had a new vision for a management research institution and this encouraged Yale to tie up with GLIM. There is no financial participation by Yale and it would only be a sharing of knowledge and resources, she confirmed.

All the main speakers, including Mr A. Vellayan, Deputy Chairman of the Murugappa group, who presided over the function, stressed that it was a homecoming of sorts for Yale as the university is named after Elihu Yale, a Governor of Madras from 1687 to 1692. It was Yale who contributed books and pictures to the Collegiate School in Connecticut. The sale of the gifts realised $560 and led to the founding of the university.

Prof Shyam Sundar, Professor of Accounting and Economics, Yale University, who is the honorary director of research of the centre, said the thrust area of research would be an in-depth empirical analysis of the Indian financial markets. As part of this effort, the centre will set up a dedicated live trade-room facility at GLIM's proposed new campus.