Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd., was awarded the Dean’s Medal from the University of Pennsylvania’s Eduardo Glandt, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The recognition was for his leadership in the application of engineering and technology. Awarded on Friday, January 8, 2010, at Trident hotel in Mumbai, the medal was presented to him for his initiative to usher in Reliance’s vertical integration journey from textiles into fibers, petrochemicals, petroleum refining and eventually oil and gas exploration and production. Today, Reliance is a global leader in polyester, petrochemicals and refining, including the world’s largest petroleum refinery complex at Jamnagar. Commenting on the inaugural medal, Dean Eduardo Glandt said, “Mukesh Ambani embodies what the engineering profession can contribute to a country, as someone who seeks to apply technology for the betterment of society.”
In history, many things may change. But what will never change is the basic truth that sustainable value creation in every society is only possible through the virtuous cycle of science, technology, engineering and enterprise. Science produces technologies; Technologies promote new engineering and managerial practices; And these in turn produce products and services that satisfy the real needs of the people in old and new markets. The outcome of this virtuous cycle is the sweet fruit of human progress. Therefore, in future, we should further strengthen existing partnerships, and forge strong new partnerships, in every link in the global value creation chain. Going forward, financial engineering should take the back seat. And real engineering should take the driver’s seat.
This is a very positive development. However, challenges and context of building world-class universities is very different from corporate projects of even much higher scale and scope. Ingredients of a world-class universities are way beyond financials and requires time and understanding of academic practices world over. Consider the case of Vedanta University, which is nearly two years behind the schedule, despite having all the financial and project management expertise of Vedanta Group. Interesting article available on (http://bit.ly/6Uw8bp). Rahul Choudaha (PhD, MBA, BE) www.DrEducation.com New York
on Jan 10, 2010