PGDM students of batch 2018-20 of GHS-IMR went for a 6 days International Industrial Tour to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 18th, 2019 to September 24th, 2019. On 18th September, late in the evening a group of 43 students from GHS-IMR landed in Dubai, UAE, along with their faculty coordinator Prof. Devendra Jaiswal.
The aim of this international visit was not only to see the industries of UAE, but also to understand and appreciate the culture of the nation-UAE. Such an understanding of a nation which includes historical, cultural, social, geo-political and economic aspects, gives a fillip to international business acumen of a manager. This trip extracted the same by including the visit to industries like Unique Group of Industries, which is the world’s third largest marine projects company providing engineering expertise, sales and rental equipment and the latest technology for the marine, diving, pipeline and subsea market sectors, having presence in more than 15 locations throughout the globe. Certified for ISO 9001, 14001 and OHSAS 18001 and fifteen other internationally recognized certification. The second industry was Emmar Warehouse, which provided warehousing services to the Emmar industry which is responsible for 65% of real estate in UAE including the Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest structure and Dubai Mall, world’s largest mall.
The students were exposed to the Emirati culture as they visited their museum, the Souks (the local market), the old and new Dubai, the desert safari, and the dhow (local merchant boat) cruise. This culminated into a convergence of world culture at the world renounced Atlantis, where the students eased themselves at the aqua venture park which hosted not only the Emiratis and Indians but host of people from all nations every day.
On the first day of the tour i.e. 19th September, 2019 students along with the faculty visited Unique Solutions Group, a renowned industry which deals in marine and sub-marine equipments. Students also had the experience of seeing various deep sea diving equipments and processes. In the evening, students went for Dhow Cruise which was a boat ride
On the second day, Students went for Dubai City tour comprising Dubai Mosque, Meena Bazaar, Dubai Museum, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach, Palm Atlantis which drove students from the streets of Old Dubai to the skyscrapers of Modern Dubai. After their lunch at Lal Quila, Students moved towards the world’s tallest architecture Burj Khailfa and the world’s largest mall Dubai Mall. The day ended with an Alumni meet where the alumni working in Dubai had come together to have dinner with the students and discuss the role which students can play in the international business enhancement and seeking newer opportunities.
Third day of the tour had another industry visit to Emmar Warehouse, giving students an experience about how much importance knowledge of operations management has in their career. In the evening, an adventurous ride in the desert safari excited the students where they saw a different aspect of Emirati culture – their folk-daces, viz. Arabic Folk dance -belly dance, Emirati folk dance Al Ayala or Iyala dance and their traditional Tanaura dance at the dance show and tasted delicious local food.
On the fourth day, the group went to Aqua venture Water Park and The Lost Chambers Aquarium in the Palm Atlantis and had a day full of fun and enjoyment. The students visited the underwater restaurant where one could observe the deep-sea animals and aquatic life.
Overall, the international Industrial tour was experiential learning, which allowed students to explore new avenues, new limits (their own), new territories, and, of course new culture and people.