What is the overarching vision for XLRI Delhi-NCR?
XLRI Delhi, established after intense discussions with the Jesuit Provincials of Delhi Province, marked a new direction and focus for XLRI Jamshedpur. How will XLRI Delhi-NCR carve its own niche, while retaining the unique essence of the parent institution? Fr KS Casimir, S.J., Director, XLRI Delhi-NCR, talks to Sukanya Das
What is the overarching vision for XLRI Delhi-NCR?
XLRI Delhi-NCR is just another campus of XLRI Jamshedpur; it is undergirded by the same vision and ethos of XLRI. The sense of community and its collegial culture helps students imbibe the values of ‘excellence and integrity’ through a process of osmosis and imbues them with a commitment “for the greater common good” in their undertakings.
How does XLRI Delhi-NCR plan on recreating the ‘essence’ of XLRI at this campus? What processes and systems will help achieve this?
The same Board of Governors, admission process, curriculum, mutual exchange of faculty, joint placement system and community service programme ensure the same spirit governs and guides us and that the foundational practices of XLRI Jamshedpur are embedded in each endeavour. It is one XLRI and two campuses. Every stakeholder, be it student, staff or faculty, experiences the same culture and values and leverages the strength of each.
The faculty-student ratio offers excellent interaction and learning opportunities in smaller and large groups. An expansive, green and sustainable campus with an excellent library, convivial meeting rooms, and cafes offer opportunities to break barriers and build bonds, and learn from everyone.
Specialised, domain-specific Centres such as CGEIL(Centre for Gender Equality and Inclusive Leadership) add to the intellectual heft of the organisation. Some are already functioning, and others are taking shape.
Community service is embedded in the academic curricula, and XLRI is already a key partner with Industry around the campus of Delhi-NCR. Alums form a significant strength of XLRI. At the Jhajjar campus, the alumni network is leveraged through the formal institutions of the Alumni Chapter and informally through any alumni who wishes to give back.
While we treasure and cherish the glorious legacy of XLRI, this campus will continue this legacy by leveraging its proximity to Delhi-NCR and the prodigious opportunities it affords.
What excites you about being at the helm of XLRI Delhi-NCR?
The location of our campus in Delhi-NCR gives XLRI an unprecedented opportunity to engage with our corporate partners. We have leveraged our site to interact face-to-face to enable placements, internships, industry live projects, and leadership talks. An exciting thing has been for us to tap into our alum community and get very senior and respected industry personnel to be guest faculty and visiting faculty at the campus.
What do you think the future holds for Brand XLRI?
We are humbled and deeply aware that no organisation owns success. It only rents it, and the rent is due every day. By embracing an attitude of “ignoramus” (I do not know), being a community of ravenous learners and daring to disrupt ourselves constantly, we hope to bolster and buttress this legacy and be of more excellent service for the greater common good in these exponential times. Our ability to leverage our proximity to the epicentre of India’s new economy in and around Delhi-NCR will play a significant role in this endeavour.