BITS HZL Collaboration Marches Ahead with First Batch Work Integrated Learning Degree Graduation

Nov. 9, 2009 - PRLog -- Process is not only the engineered sequence of Physical, Chemical and Mechanical transformations that convert a readily available raw material to a useful product in the most economic fashion but also includes the human transformations which is vital to achieve the stated goals.

Hindustan Zinc Ltd Udaipur is a part of Vedanta Resources, a London listed metals and mining major with Aluminum, Copper and Zinc operations in UK, India and Australia, HZL which is India's leading Zinc producer, takes advantage of its mineral resources and related core competencies and believes it has growth opportunities for increasing products and improving returns. Presently HZL produces Zinc, Lead and by-products such as Sulphuric Acid, Silver and Cadmium. HZL is poised to become the largest integrated Zinc – Lead producer in the world by 2010.

HZL has put human resource development of its employees among the top priorities for achieving the corporate vision and mission.  The Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani and HZL Udaipur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in November 2005 for fostering collaboration between the two institutions to promote academic and research interactions. Final year students from BITS Pilani have been carrying out live real life projects under the Practice School at HZL for the past several semesters. HZL has also been sponsoring batches of its employees to undergo short term orientation courses at BITS Pilani.

On 07th September 2006 BITS and HZL launched the BS Process Engineering program for a batch of 28 candidates sponsored by them. On 07 November 2009 a grand function was organized at the Executive Club of Zinc Nagar, Chittorgarh to award the degree certificates to the 28 candidates from the first batch who had successfully completed the program. Mr Ravi Gupta Head – Corporate Learning & Development who had ensured that the entire function went in precision and perfection welcomed the gathering which was attended by senior executives from HZL and spouses of the graduating students.

After the Saraswati Vandana and lighting of the ceremonial lamp, Mr Rajesh Bansal Location Head Chanderia Smelter Complex and Mr V K Mehta Vice President HR addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of work integrated learning and the fact that university like BITS coming to their doorsteps for offering educational opportunities without dislocation from work schedule.

Prof BR Natarajan Dean Work Integrated Learning Programmes conveyed the message and wishes from Vice Chancellor Dr LK Maheshwari to the graduating students.  Prof Natarajan also thanked HZL for all the cooperation and support to take the collaboration to greater and greater heights. Mr Akhilesh Joshi Chief Operating Officer (COO) in his address urged the successful candidates to take up the challenges for making HZL among the very best in the global arena.

Mr Dinesh Wagh BITS Faculty who is the resident coordinator for the program thanked both BITS and HZL for giving him the opportunity of best of both academic and industrial life. He received the well deserved applause from one and all present for the function. BITS Faculty Mr Samir Kale coordinator Nagda centre of the Institute who had taught various courses at HZL also attended the graduation function

Mr Shiv Kumar Agrawal one of the candidates who successfully completed the program shared his experiences with focus on work study balance and family commitments.  Another candidate Mr Dilip Kumar Gandhi playing the Flute kept the audience mesmerized with his haunting tune. Mr P Satpathy AGM delivered the vote of thanks which was followed by a grand dinner.

Apart from HZL, other industry majors with whom BITS Pilani has collaboration for BS Process Engineering include Grasim Nagda, Century Rayon Kalyan, Indogulf Fertilizers Jagdispur, Finolex Ratnagiri, CPCL Chennai, Indian Rayon Veraval, Digjam Wollen Mills Jamnagar, Saurashtra Chemicals Porbandar, CFCL Gadepan, Hindalco, Aditya Birla Group Cement Business and Tata Chemicals Babrala.

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About BITS Pilani: The Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani is a Deemed to be University established vide Sec.3 of the UGC Act, 1956 under notification No. F.12-23/63.U-2 of June 18, 1964. NAAC - National Assessment and Accreditation Council reaccredited BITS with 3.71 CGPA out of 4 and awarded “A” grade “Very Good” status. It is indeed a matter of pride that for the year 2009, BITS Pilani has been ranked among the top ranking universities along with IITs in various Magazine surveys such as India Today, Outlook, LiveMint etc. BITS offers degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. BITS Pilani has done pioneering work in industry university collaborations in terms of Practice School and Work Integrated Learning Programmes. Alumni of the Institute who are Proud to be BITSians are spread across all continents from Australia to America.