BWI: Alpha Arts and Science College Emerged Winner at SIFE India National Competition

Press release from Business Wire India
Source: SIFE India
Saturday, July 04, 2009 04:00 PM IST (10:30 AM GMT)
Editors: General: People, Social issues; Business: Education & training, Information technology; Technology
--------------------------------------------------
Alpha Arts and Science College Emerged Winner at SIFE India National Competition


Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, Saturday, July 04, 2009 -- (Business Wire India) -- Making a difference to the society at a tender age of 20 is definitely not an easy task. Tsunami waves completely ravaged Pannayarkuppam village of Tamilnadu and the government funds ceased and the fisherman community was badly affected. The fishermen were in the need of an alternative occupation. As their expertise lay only in sea related activities, these children of the sea were unable to adapt to any other occupation. Alpha Arts and Science College's SIFE team focused on a seaweed cultivation project and successfully made it an alternative occupation for the fisherman community.

The SIFE team ensured the profitability of the project and analyzed the global market statistics to establish it among the fisherman community. They identified buyers of seaweed across India and made Pepsico a major buyer of this community.
Some of the projects showcased at the SIFE National Competition were:

Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) : Project : 1. Established a business model and impacted the agricultural community in South Tamilnadu through cultivation of the anti-cancer plant Vinca Rosea. Their project helped uplift nearly 100 farmers. Project 2: Their other project-Sirugugal targeted the mentally challenged community at Sri Arunodayam, Chennai. The children of this community were trained in making candles, handicrafts and other such products.

Project 3: Since 2007, MSSW SIFE has been associated with the gypsy community, which is famous for jewellery making. They have improved their standards of living by teaching them creative and more ethical business practices.

Rajalakshmi Engineering College: Mileage of Autopreneurship. The REC SIFE Students targeted the mechanic community and improved their standard of living by introducing them to technical and entrepreneurial skills. Nearly 75 mechanics were put through a 2 tier vocational training course on servicing two wheeler automobiles. This theoretical cum practical certificate course has opened up job opportunities for these mechanics in renowned automobile companies like Hero Honda. This project has also brought out several entrepreneurs termed as 'autopreneurs' who have successfully set up their own garages for servicing and repair.

Alpha Arts and Science College: Project I - Seaweed cultivation. Over the last two years the Alpha SIFE team has been working with the fishing community of Rameshwaram and have provided them with an alternate occupation of Seaweed Cultivation. The dried seaweed is being marketed to Pepsico and the income of the community has gone up by 100%. Project 2: Genisis. The Alpha SIFE Team in collaboration with the SIFE Nottingham team from UK, identified the cattle breeders near Pulicat as their target audience. The teams devised an organization strategy for the improvement of cattle fodder thereby enhancing milk production. Project 3: Pulp It. Thally district in Karnataka which is known for its tomato cultivation is facing potential threat from the market. The SIFE team in association with an NGO Crenio, devised a mechanism whereby the tomatoes could be converted into tomato pulp/puree and marketed to corporates. The required training and equipment for the same was provided by the team.

All these projects were judged by dignitaries from various corporates like KPMG, HSBC, PWC, Reliance Money, Kellogg India, Systems Plus, Pepsico India Holding Pvt. Ltd., etc. 16 teams from all over India reached the semi finals in Mumbai and only 4 made it to the Finals. The Sherriff of Mumbai, Dr. Indu Shahani was the Special Guest of the evening.

Chairman of SIFE India, Keshav R Murugesh said, "SIFE offers Indian students the opportunity to develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process. We endeavor to teach important concepts to college students through educational outreach projects, including market economics, entrepreneurship, personal and financial success, and business ethics to better themselves, their communities and their countries." Mr. Murugesh is also CEO of Syntel Inc. a global leader in IT and KPO Services.

"SIFE gave an international platform to our educational outreach programs. We were able to make a difference by developing leadership, teamwork and communication skills through learning, practicing and teaching the principles of free enterprise, thereby improving the standard of living for millions in the process. This year between 4-6 October, we would be going to Berlin as the SIFE India team to present our projects. We just cannot express, how excited we are..", said Alpha Student, Mariam Varghese.

To view the picture, please click on the link mentioned below:

SIFE India Board and Chairman, Keshav R. Murugesh with the Alpha Team

For picture(s)/data to illustrate this release click below:

http://www.BusinessWireIndia.com/attachments/DSC_2077.JPG
SIFE India Board and Chairman, Keshav R. Murugesh with the Alpha Team


CONTACT DETAILS
Sudhanshu Patni, SIFE India, +91 9930313192, Sudhanshu_Patni@Syntelinc.com

KEYWORDS
PEOPLE, SOCIAL, EDUCATION, IT, TECHNOLOGY

If you wish to change your Business Wire India selection please click on this link http://www.businesswireindia.com/media/news.asp and use your personal username and password to login.

Submit your press release at http://www.businesswireindia.com