The Scholarships give students the opportunity to spend 8 weeks working with leading companies based in India, including multinationals like HSBC, ICICI, KPMG and start-ups like Origin Wave, Boudoir, Get Through Guides.
The UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) – a government sponsored body charged with representing business needs to enhance bilateral trade and investment between the UK and India – awarded Scholarships to seven students from Oxford and two from Cardiff University with a view to creating a new generation of ambassadors to build relationships between Indian and UK businesses.
Over the summer of 2007, UKIBC worked closely with the team at the Oxford University India Business Centre (OUIBC) to help shape the Scholarship.
Owen Darbishire, Dean of Undergraduate Programmes at Saïd commented, "We are delighted to be involved in this excellent initiative which provides an extraordinary opportunity for students. It also perfectly aligns with the goals of the Oxford University India Business Centre which is designed to ensure that we share ideas and learn from the many innovative business practices in India."
Speaking about this unique initiative, Sharon Bamford, CEO, UKIBC, said, "This exchange will strengthen our aim to position 'modern' India in the minds of the next generation and also strengthen the business, trade and investment ties between India and the UK."
Working with Get Through Guides, (financial, management and accounting publishers -started by a British Indian) on a three year business plan
Saara Hanif says she is aiming to embark on her entrepreneurial journey by starting her own company within the finance sector and hopes this internship with provide her with the necessary experience, witnessing the day to day activities of one of the world's fastest growing economies. 'Working with the CEO of Get Through Guides will not only provide me with an Indian experience but also be a valuable training ground for launching my own business in the future.'
Established in 1996 the Saïd Business School is one of Europe's youngest and most entrepreneurial business schools that is an integral part of Oxford University. In the Financial Times ranking of MBA programmes (Jan 08), Saïd is ranked 19th in the world.
The UK India Business Council ('UKIBC') is the British Government's lead organisation supporting the promotion of bilateral trade, business and investment between the two countries. With an initial pilot running in 2008 with Said Business School and Cardiff Business School, UKIBC Scholarship programme will set up business placements in India allowing 10 UK higher education students to gain paid work experience with firms in major cities in India for a period of 8 weeks starting in June 2008.
