Monday, February 8, 2010

Spring Semester....first thoughts..

The Spring semester at IMT Dubai has started, and needless to say it is on with a bang. The pleasant breeze , the cool temperature, the green lawns, the laughter filling the atmosphere once again, the tea out of the vending machine in the morning, the loafing in the cafeteria, the intellectual simulation in the classrooms with new courses…it is all making IMT-D alive and thriving!

The first week was slow to start. The September 2008 batch started classes on the 17th instead of the 10th, so they were mostly enjoying their one extra week of break back home. The few students from the September 2009 batch and the new January 2010 batch that were here, took that time to settle back in slowly and steadily.

The January batch of 2010 has the strength of 14 students as of now. They belong to different places and have come with high aspirations. We hope to include and involve them very soon in the IMT-D activities and events and make them an integral part of the campus. To make a start, and catalyse the interaction, some of the students of the September 2008 batch took them to a Tour of Dubai.

We went to Jumeira Beach, one of the major attractions of the city, and were lucky enough to reach around sunset. With the backdrop of the Burj al Arab, the deep blue sea, the setting sun and the brilliant pink color of the sky, we got to have some good quality time and some very nice picture shots! Then we proceeded to the next big landmark of dubai, The Dubai Mall. For our new students, this was a good opportunity to see the grandeur and life of Dubai. It was our attempt to give them a taste of the city. Overall, the Tour of Dubai was a great way to break the ice and turned out to be a fabulous experience for everyone.

The second week has now commenced with the buzz of Placements and Internships in the air. On January 20th, the Kotak-Mahindra group came to the IMT-D campus for the first big round of placements. Around 120 students applied, and went through the recruitment process. The students of the September 2008 batch got a chance to experience the process and learn more about Personal Interviews and Group Discussions. The day went into the selection and elimination of applicants, with the final result of 5 students getting placed from this process. A start, and a good one at that. The process of placements is officially underway and all the best wishes go to the September 2008 batch!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

End of one Semester

Wow... Four months passed like the wink of an eye, the flutter of a wing, the passing of a train, a waft of fresh air. I woke up one day, and the exams were over, and I had 3 weeks of winter break ahead of me, with not an agenda in mind, not a plan in sight, and no presentations, tests, exams, or project reports to worry about. At IMT-D, I got used to everything, but free time, so this really caught me unawares.

The first semester, of academic year 2009-2010, was replete with excitement, to the level of hysteria. The only free moments that I recall, were between times of movement, like a lull between storms. With each passing storm, which swept us up in frenzy and left us exhausted but satisfied to have achieved something, came more added responsibility. With each event that we organized or enthusiastically attended, came expectations of something bigger and better, and more often that not, these expectations were met with, and often surpassed.

As I look back at the semester, there are a few highlights that pop into my mind. Moments, which stand out, because of their sheer excellence and because of the good and bad memories that got attached to them. So, here is my pick of the IMT-D Top Five Moments of Autumn Semester, 2009....

Number 5: Marketing on Fire

It is a rather enlightening experience to listen to people from an industry that one would want to enter. Under Professor Mohan Agarwal's guidance, we at IMT were able to organise not one, but two such summits/seminars, where professionals and well established officials from their respective fields and industries, mainly Marketing, came and talked to us about their experiences and about their company's strategies of doing marketing in the Gulf region. Each and every speaker was inspirational and had so much of knowledge that the entire experience was mesmerizing and extremely fruitful.

Number 4: Fresh of the Boat (Sports Week)

This was probably the funnest sports week I've ever attended! Activities ranged from Soccer to Cricket, from a Counter Strike Tournament to French Cricket! The entire medley of events stretched for longer than a week, but the excitement at the first game was as much, if not more, than the last! The cheering on the sidelines (which I took upon myself to be an active part of), was almost as much fun as the playing itself! Overall, a great week of fun!

Number 3: Diwali Mela

Ok, must admit, I have a personal bias for this day. This was the event that I compered (with my amazing co-host Pranay Sachdev)...and it was totally rocking! For many people, this was the first Diwali away from home, and it felt really nice to be celebrating it with the entire college. The Aarti that done in the Recreation Room was special. There were different stalls put up, which were a big hit with everyone. Special mention must go to one called, Jail. Loads of fun to see people trapped behind bars. The cultural event was a perfect showcase of talent. Another special mention should go to the Grand Finale Fashion Show...what a sight that was! Overall, one of the best Diwalis I've surely had!


Number 2: Freshers' Party

This was really the first time that seniors and juniors at IMT really bonded! We hit the dance floor together at Keva Lounge and brought the house down! It was a great night of music, friends, lots of laughter and lots of gossip to talk about the next day! The night was surely one to remember, and IMTians can surely party as hard as we work!


aaaaand....Number 1: Vau De Ville

Entirely by student initiative, a college fest was put up in a month's time, and the experience was one, that will never be forgotten! It is rather hard to put the entire experience in words....I can try to paint the picture by describing the night before the event. The academic block was abuzz with activity, people running up and down the steps. The Placement Committee room on the ground floor had become a waiting area, the central work station, where meetings were held, plans made, last minute phonecalls to participants, tea at 12 am. In hall number two, the floor was covered with posters, colours, paints, and in one corner of that room, people practiced dancing. Study hall 1 was covered with props, and stationary required for the next day, and a few people sat hidden away between the pile, their laptops in hand, working relentlessly! Outside, the stage was being set up, lights were being put, and music tested. I remember walking around the campus, with a coffee in hand, and loving the feel of the air at 2 am, and the fact that everyone around me was as buzzed as I was, about the day that was to come.


When the next morning arrived, the excitement began unfolding. People from neighbouring colleges flooded into our campus, and everything came alive. The morning was for Academic events, which were being held for the first time ever, and the coordination and fluency with which they were conducted, impressed one and all. After a hectic morning, there was a lull of 3 hours, before the start of the Cultural Events. If I were to describe the feeling of that evening in one word, it would be....Exhilarating. The lights, the performances, the fashion shows, the music, the enthusiasm, the clothes, the energy, the crowd, the cheering, the breeze....everything just came together to make the evening a Grand Success! The days and days of hard work, the sleepless nights, the practices...it was all rewarded, and how! That day, was the first of its kind for IMT, and we're hoping for this event next year, to be even bigger and better!


This first semester was so packed...and so interesting that it made the IMT campus thrilling and alive! Here's hoping that the next semester, and the years to come, have as much energy, as much activity and as much enthusiasm!

With that thought...here's welcoming....the year 2010!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

IMT-Dubai presents Vaudeville: 23rd November’09



Wonder how an annual fest can be interestingly different...??
Come share the madness: IMT-Style...!!


IMT-Dubai takes immense pleasure in inviting all of you for its annual fest Vaudeville, scheduled on 23rd November’09.

Event List:
1) Academic Events: Convince Me (Debate), Wiz Quiz, Eclectica (Presentation).
2) Cultural Events: Let’s Tap (Dance), Mad for Ad, You & Me (Duet Singing) and The Show Stopperz (Ramp-walk).

Accolades:
1) Gift Vouchers for winners by United Colours of Benetton, Kaya Skin Clinic,
Pizza World, Nikai Group.
2) Certificates of participation, Trophies for winners and runners up, trophy
for the overall winner college.
3) Gifts for Audience...And Many More...!!


For any further queries regarding event details and registrations, please feel free to contact us at:
vaudeville@imtdubai.ac.ae

Gautam Rishi: 055-6640325
Nikhil Bhatt: 055-7740076
Lisa James: 055-3477524

Or, you can get your teams directly registered at:
http://www.imtdubai.co.cc/VauDeVille/

P.S.: No registration Fee

Friday, October 16, 2009

Its been a busy week. And that is the biggest understatement of the century!

I feel connected to a place only when I feel something for it, when my emotions, good or bad, flow out of control and passion overtakes enthusiasm for the place I am in. When I push myself beyond my limits, when I take on responsibility, when I thrive on challenges, is when I get to know how much I love a place. I have finally found my place at IMT...

The week started off with the promise of keeping us all completely occupied. On the studying front, I had 2 presentations, 1 quiz, 1 assignment submission and lots of homework to complete. The least of my worries really. If you spend a good amount of time studying everyday, and be regular with classes, participate in lectures and be generally attentive, the rest comes somewhat easily. Group work is challenging on the coordination front. Getting people to work together is not an easy task. For one presentation, in a group of 4, we managed fairly well. Its an ill-kept secret that if people in a team are understanding and cooperative, productivity is much higher. And that's how it was. We worked well together, with the limited time slots and the maximum output required, and the results were satisfying. The rest, only the grades will tell!

The other group however, fell flat on the exact front that the first group had succeeded at. There was lack of coordination, lack of cooperation, resulting in a complete lack of enthusiasm and understanding of the subject. The final outcome was disappointing even to the people involved and working. Oh well, lesson learnt, will not repeat the same.

Academic challenges aside, the IMT campus buzzed with activity throughout the week. We had an ongoing Fresh off the Boat Sports Tournament which was culminated in a riveting Cricket Final. Juniors Vs. Seniors. Excitement levels peaked. Emotions went rampant. Adrenalin rushed. Thrilling really... The Seniors won. I'd like to be biased here and say that our Junior team played realllllllyyyy well! I guess Luck plays an important part in sports....


Next big event was the Marketing on Fire Seminar. I wasn't much involved in the organisation of it from the start, but I got to see how much time and effort went into putting up the event. People spent hours of their time, and oodles of their sweat running around, getting everything set in place, talking to corporates to attend the event, coordinating with various students and faculty. Overall, an excellent way to bring the IMT brand forward. We had some eminent speakers and some interesting talks. There were some hiccups, but hey, we're learning! Again, lessons learnt, mistakes won't be repeated! Overall, an interesting experience.

And finally...the week is ending with a Diwali Mela. I spent most of my day yesterday practising for the Fashion Show, that's being put up. The things I have to do for friends, jeez! I think I might also be compering the event, which is taking place tonight, and looking forward to it. They're actually giving me a mike, and making me talk. How wonderful can life be!

Life is just beginning to get interesting. The people are making it so. Everyday I'm getting the feeling of getting enlightened. I feel like a baby learning to walk, I feel like a student learning the first letters of an alphabet, and I feel like a mother holding her child for the first time and I feel like a person newly in love...

Thus begins, my love affair, with IMT-D!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

First post....



The Media Committee at IMT-Dubai welcomes all the readers to our baby blog! We will be reporting on life at IMT Dubai, Events in Dubai, Dubai International Academic City, and give a general idea about the MBA program we follow. We will also be writing about business related issues, current events and the economy. Our mission is to make this place fun yet informative, clean and friendly, giving an insight into our world...our life...

Let the journey begin....!