- To all our alumni: We have devised a special programme for your interaction with the Institute. It is called Academic Retreat. As per this programme, you visit the campus for a short stay, basically to reminisce, reflect, and recharge your grey cells. Your visit may be of 3-4 days, or a week, or even more, depending upon how much time you would like to spare for this.
It could be in one of the three academic terms. It could also be during the summer vacation. The three terms here follow the following schedule approximately:
TERM 1 (and 4): Jun, Jul, Aug
TERM 2 (and 5): Sep, Oct, Nov
TERM 3 (and 6): Dec, Jan, Feb [Placement]
SUMMER: Mar, Apr, May [Convocation, Admission Interviews]
The only requirement is that you should present at least one seminar. This may be on a topic of your professional interest. This may include your perception of an industry or a particular part of the industry (or profession) with which you are familiar. It may focus on trends, driving forces, key uncertainties, changing institutional structures, technology, effects of globalisation, emerging scenarios, opportunites, desired competencies, etc. You may or may not have the answers, but you will tell us what the important questions are.
You may also hold an informal session for the students, advising them on studies, placement, career, life, and such other matters.
Besides these, you should plan to use your time here in a productive and meaningful way for you. You may choose to just relax (and reminisce), play, read, write, or do whatever fits with your own plans the best.
- Facilities to be Provided
You will be provided with free boarding and lodging facility on campus. Your spouse is also welcome. During your stay at XIMB, you will have access to the entire academic and communication infrastructure available. If you have any special needs, we will be happy to accommodate and stretch our resources as much as we can. Please feel free to ask.
A Final Thought
Please do not take it as another 'serious' assignment! I think, you may take it as a 'return to your roots'--somewhat like returning to one's village! An educational environment is quite different from the corporate environment. You will be treated with love and regard. No one is going to judge your performance. Nor will we be eager to teach. We will be open for conversation, however. We will be interested in knowing the challenges you are facing and how you are dealing with these.
In the end, we would feel good if you felt good about your retreat at XIMB!
Post Script
Because of obvious limitations on resources and campus facilities, your visits may have to be staggered. Please be in touch with the alumni office to schedule your visits according to mutual convenience.