Renowned British-Indian economist Lord Meghnad Desai has announced the launch of the Meghnad Desai Academy of Economics (MDAE) in Mumbai. Opened with a vision “to learn, think, apply and prepare students to take leadership positions in the global economy,” the MDAE offers a one year post-graduate certificate course.
“The MDAE is designed to be an institution of excellence that will provide graduate students with the academic rigour and applied skills to meet the dynamic needs of a globalised workplace. Its approach of marrying theory with real-world practical education from the corporate sector will provide students of economics and finance with enhanced tool-kits when they enter the workforce,” Lord Meghnad said. The 75- year -old Vadodara born said students from the institute will surely become great economists and considerably contribute in shaping the future of economics.
"This is a very unique venture, with great emphasis on training and curriculum and courses which will produce people who are readily absorable in the industry," said Ajit Ranade, the MDAE's head academic and chief economist of Birla Group. He said his experience in both academic and corporate revealed a gap of what the industry is looking for and the people who are trained in economics, and the economics allied, as they are not ready to hit the ground running. “At MDAE, there is a process of learning and applying in the workplace to fill that niche gap by ensuring that the curriculum will be taught from a practitioner's point of view,” he added.
The MDAE's Academic Board includes Vice-Chairperson Indu Shahani, principal of Mumbai's HR College, Tushar Poddar, PD Singh and journalist Niranjan Rajadhyaksha.
