Photo: FCEI-www.nolsom.com
Journalists have been received by Beatriz Escriña, head of international communications at ESADE. The school has 30 Indian pupils this year studying MSc and MBA programs. Katie Carr, regional director for EMEA and India, has revealed that each year the number of students recruited for the school in India is increasing significantly. According to Carr, most of them comes to Spain "because they have been raised in a predominantly Indian environment and want to expand their international vision. "Studying in Spain gives them flexibility and a friendly atmosphere," added Katie Carr.
The leaders wanted to know why an Indian student may prefer a Spanish school before an American or British one. "Firstly, our international diversity. And second, because in Spain they assume the challenge of living in a very different environment, and that helps them for their future, "replied Carr.
During the day there have been various talks, which have addressed issues such as the potential for cooperation between Europe, Spain and India, or Spain as a gateway to South America. ESADE Professor Josep M. Sayeras said that Spain needs to grow and it is doing it, partly thanks to the development of the foreign sector. Meanwhile Xavier Mendoza, who has focused on investments in South America, has highlighted the position of Spain as the second foreign investor in the region, after the United States. In the last years, India has also become interested in the area with the presence of some of its biggest companies like Tata, Wipro, Infosys, Glenmark and others, which have about 20,000 employees in the territory. According to Mendoza, most Asin companies suffer a lack of knowledge around South America that also affects the economic sphere, although this fact has not stopped attracting investors. Spain, due to its presence in the área and its language, could become the best partner for Asian investors in Latin America.
Finally, another round table has focused on family business, a model thoroughtly widespread in Spain and India. Alberto Gimeno was the teacher who addressed this issue with Indian leaders. The Indian journalists have raised the problem that many third and fourth generations are detached from the business, which at the end of the day, destroys the company. To Gimeno both in India and in Spain "families should move away from the direction or management of the company, to focus on the control of it and have more presence in the business."
The working day at ESADE concluded with the presentation of a project by a group of students from different countries. These students are among the 16 finalists who will compete for the Hult Prize in Dubai. This award, reward with one million dollar the business proposal which better tackles urban food security worldwide. ESADE project aims to create a model of cooperation among small traders of "slums" in India. Indian leaders have shared with the students their ideas and recommendations to improve the proposal.
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