• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

P.T. Jyothi Datta

The symposium, seen as the next hot-stop after the World Economic Forum (WEF), will host about 600 delegates from across the world, in addition to about 250 students.

NEW DELHI, Feb. 6

IF it was Infosys' Chief Mentor, Mr N.R. Narayana Murthy, who had earlier graced the ISC-Symposium, an annual conclave hosted by Switzerland's St Gallen University, this year is expected to see the participation of Mr P. Chidambaram, former Finance Minister, Mr Sunil Mittal, Chairman and Group Managing Director, Bharti Enterprises, Mr Phiroz Vandrevala, Executive Vice-President, TCS, and Mr N.K. Singh, Member, Planning Commission.

Indian participation has always been promising at the ISC-Symposium, both from the politico-business community, as well as from students in the country's top management institutions.

Not surprising then, that this time around, there is a separate session on India, points out Mr Philipp Becker, Asia Desk Manager.

Others, though unconfirmed, who are likely to participate in the symposium from India, include the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, and Mr D.S. Brar, CEO and Managing Director of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

The symposium, seen as the next hot-stop after the World Economic Forum (WEF), will host about 600 delegates from across the world, in addition to about 250 students. The entry process for students comprises a competition and the winners proceed to participate at the symposium. "

About 400 students participated in the competition and the top 30, as judged by our independent panel, will make it to the symposium," Mr Becker told Business Line.

Other participants at the symposium include: Jens Alder, CEO, Swisscom AG, Mr Stephen Green, Chairman, HSBC Investment Bank Holdings Plc, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach, Vice-Chairman, Goldman Sachs International and Dr Helmut Panke, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW, Munich, to mention just a few.

`Seeking responses in times of uncertainty' is the theme of the symposium, scheduled this year from May 22-24.

From the terrorist attack of 9/11 to its aftermath, a probable war in Iraq — operating in uncertain times is not new to the ISC-Symposium.

"We hosted the ISC forum last year in the backdrop of the terrorist attack of 9/11 and despite our worries, participation was not affected. This year's theme tackles the uncertainty in politics, society and the business world," he pointed out.

The recently concluded WEF in Davos was dominated by war-talk and issues related to corporate responsibility or the lack of it. Similar sentiments are expected to be echoed at the ISC-Symposium too, observed Mr Becker.

Elaborating on the central theme, he pointed out that uncertainty has become a sign of the times and several reasons have contributed to this — "from white-collar crimes to the effects of globalisation. The symposium seeks to facilitate an exchange of ideas and attempts to put forth options for businesses operating in these uncertain times. Moreover, the geopolitical situation is also marked by insecurity and uncertainty as the problematic side of globalisation is proving to be of unprecedented complexity and frightening clarity."

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Toy exports seen to touch $35 m

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line