In fulfilment of the Malaysian national vision to reach developed status by 2020 and as part of its continuing commitment to forge strategic links with international centres of excellence & with the industry at large, the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) is preparing to offer (MBA-level) Post-Graduate and Degree programs in Business Management beginning in 2007. In this context, AIMST has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the XLRI Jamshedpur, India and the Institute for Customer Relationship Management Sdn Bhd (iCRM Malaysia). The signing ceremony was held on Tuesday, 13th March 2007, 3:00 pm at Nethaji Hall, Menara Manickavasagam, under the patronage of the Minister of Works, Malaysia  and Chairman of Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED), YB Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu. The signatories to the MOU were Tan Sri Datuk Dr K. Ampikaipakan, Chairman of The Board of Directors, AIMST & MIED Board of Trustee; Dr N. Casimir Raj, S.J., Director, XLRI, and Dr Atul Parvatiyar, President & CEO, iCRM, in the presence of YB Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu, Malaysian Minister of Works.

With this MOU, AIMST will seek to collaborate with XLRI & iCRM to offer full-time as well as part-time MBA programs.  The XLRI MBA level post-graduate programs are highly reputed and its alumni are well-placed in leading organizations around the world. iCRM, with its global network of academic thought leaders and research and consulting experience, will provide world-class experiential learning opportunities to students. AIMST will also explore possibilities of offering MBA with specialization in Healthcare Management. Subject to LAN approval, the first batch of students is expected to be admitted through a competitive entrance examination later this year and with the target graduation date of 2009.

The curriculum for this two year program will mirror the two-year full-time Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) course of XLRI Jamshedpur.  In addition to the two-year full-time program, a one-year Executive MBA program will later be offered to students with senior management experience. The curriculum may include a four-to-eight week visit to XLRI Jamshedpur campus for completion of certain course credits. Student exchange between XLRI Jamshedpur campus or other campuses such as XLRI Singapore and XLRI-AIT Dubai will be encouraged. 

Through this partnership, students and faculty will gain access to iCRM’s knowledge centers in Malaysia and USA, including research information, tools, processes, and training material that would make for a more enriched MBA program. Also, by leveraging the facilities at AIMST, special programs on Sports Management and Customer Relationship Management will be offered to attract the many students and professionals interested in developing their career in the fast growing health-care management sector. 

An exceptionally outward-looking university, AIMST is well on the road to becoming a premier private sector university in the country and region, catering to the needs of local and international students. A sprawling 230-acre site at the foothills of Gunung Jerai in the historically important Bujang valley in Semeling (Kedah) will be the permanent campus of the University. Self-contained and equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and laboratory facilities, the campus is expected to be ready for occupancy by March 2007.  The highlights of the new campus include a purpose-built Great Hall and Experimental Theatre, a well-designed Library located in close proximity to the faculty buildings, well-furnished student and staff residences, a Student Complex replete with facilities such as bank, post office, student clinic, book store, mini-market, an Indoor Sports Hall linked to an Olympic-size swimming pool and spacious outdoor track and field facilities.

Widely known as XLRI, the Xavier Labour Relations Institute was founded in 1949 in the steel city of Jamshedpur, Bihar, India. XLRI has been consistently ranked among the top 5 business schools in India for many decades. XLRI’s reputation extends beyond India. With highly placed alumni in leading global organizations around the world, including CEOs and Presidents of well-known companies, it has instant name recognition in the professional world. Several XLRI alumni are also world renowned academics and teach in high ranking universities in USA, UK, Asia and Europe. Its faculty members have teaching and research experience at many international institutions. It also has another branch campus in Dubai, UAE called XLRI AIT Dubai and a new chapter in Singapore.

The Institute for Customer Relationship Management (iCRM) is a premier research , knowledge and IT services company focused on advancing the knowledge and practice of customer relationship management. It is recognized by leading industry associations for best practices research, consulting, training, technology and knowledge process outsourcing. iCRM works with well-known academics, thought leaders and practicing researchers to publish high-level research and provide education, training and consulting services to business and government organizations.  Its clients include Fortune 50 companies, regional conglomerates, industry associations and government organizations. They have offices in Austria, India, Malaysia, UK and USA. In Malaysia, the Institute for Customer Relationship Management Sdn Bhd (iCRM Malaysia) is a recognized MSC status company for its pioneering work in knowledge product development and IT-enabled services. The AIMST MBA programme will be enriched through this collaboration wherein students will have access to leading academics, research, consulting projects and learning laboratories.

AIMST expects that with this collaboration, their MBA programme will be world-class and highly valuable to the Malaysian community.  This will help the country develop critical human resources required for the global knowledge economy.

For additional information contact Ms. Vijaya at 03.4042.2885 of MIED.