Business and Engineering Collaborations in India

 

Applications are due by May 15, 2023.

The Business and Engineering Collaborations in India is a three-credit course with a study abroad component. Jointly produced by the Swanson School of Engineering and the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, this program seeks to offer you a dual lens to view production, supply chain and service issues in India. The program is designed to expose you to international business and engineering issues. During your time abroad, you will engage with executives and Pitt alumni, conduct field research and inquiries, and experience international culture.

This program is open to upper division Swanson School of Engineering undergraduate and graduate students as well as all Katz MBA students and most Katz Specialized Masters students. Students from other Pitt graduate programs are also welcome to apply in consultation with the faculty leaders.

This is a proposed Fall 2023 semester program. The course will meet over the semester with one week of travel from Dec. 15-23, 2023.

 If you are accepted on the program you will be required to attend a program agreement meeting on May 17, 2023 from 4-6pm on Zoom. 

Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run. 

 

What You'll Accomplish: 

As an engaged and active participant on the program, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Explore business and engineering ideas and themes from a new perspective
  • Interact with international companies on current issues relevant to your coursework
  • Build key transferable skills for your future career

With a population of over 1.3 billion, India is the second largest country in the world. It is also the largest economy in South Asia with a Real GDP of $8.443 trillion (2020 est.) and Real GDP per capita of $6,100. While COVID-19 had a profound impact on economic growth and poverty reduction, contracting the economy by 7.3% in FY 2021, growth is expected to stabilize in FY 22 and begin to grow again at around 7% annually. The largest industries in the country include textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, software and pharmaceuticals.

Where You'll Live: 

You will be housed in comfortable and centrally located hotels throughout the program. Students are typically housed in rooms with two double-beds and wifi and internet access, and breakfast included.
Single room upgrades may be available for additional cost.
 
We do our best to provide the most accurate information about housing and amenities but due to the nature of the locations in which we offer programs and limited availability, these items are subject to change.
Contact your program manager with any questions.

What You'll Study: 

This course introduces modern engineering and business principles, methods, and tools within the context of the Indian economic environment. Students will be exposed to challenges and opportunities available at the corporate level and at the individual level in this rapidly growing economy, and will learn about societal impacts of new technologies and the rapid expansion of knowledge industries in India.
Student learning will be integrated into pre-trip lectures, lectures during the visit, guest lectures/panel discussions at the host city, plant/company visits at the host city, and cultural explorations in and around the host city.  Production, supply chain and service issues will be studied through dual lens of engineering and business principles.
This is a proposed Fall 2023 semester program. The course will meet over the semester with one week of travel from Dec. 15-23, 2023.
Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run. 

Business and Engineering Collaborations in India (BUSXXXX)

If you are an engineering student, please see the ENGR XXXX course description.

The course will focus on studying modern engineering and business principles, methods, and tools, within the context of the Indian environment. The three focal areas of study are: manufacturing systems, service engineering operations, and agri-business.  A visit to India will showcase challenges and opportunities available at the corporate level and at the individual level in this rapidly growing economy. It will also focus on the societal impacts of new technologies and rapid expansion of engineering industries in India.

Plant visits and interfaces with practicing engineers/managers will allow students to appreciate the following professional characteristics: ethics, the ability to work with others, an appreciation for other disciplines, adaptability, and an appreciation for life-long learning.

Plant visits to manufacturing, engineering, and business sites will form a critical component of the class and will focus on the operational hub of the corporate entity.  Plant visits and/or panel discussion will be arranged.  Students will be expected to participate in all plants study visits for this course.  Plant study visits will include a detailed tour of the plant, a visit to the business offices, and finally discussions with a) plant executives, b) first-level supervisors, c) workers, and d) business office staff & managers.

Business and Engineering Collaborations in India (ENGRXXXX)

If you are a Katz student, please see the BUS XXXX course description.

The course will focus on studying modern engineering and business principles, methods, and tools, within the context of the Indian environment. The three focal areas of study are: manufacturing systems, service engineering operations, and agri-business.  A visit to India will showcase challenges and opportunities available at the corporate level and at the individual level in this rapidly growing economy. It will also focus on the societal impacts of new technologies and rapid expansion of engineering industries in India.

 

Plant visits and interfaces with practicing engineers/managers will allow students to appreciate the following professional characteristics: ethics, the ability to work with others, an appreciation for other disciplines, adaptability, and an appreciation for life-long learning.

 

Plant visits to manufacturing, engineering, and business sites will form a critical component of the class and will focus on the operational hub of the corporate entity.  Plant visits and/or panel discussion will be arranged.  Students will be expected to participate in all plants study visits for this course.  Plant study visits will include a detailed tour of the plant, a visit to the business offices, and finally discussions with a) plant executives, b) first-level supervisors, c) workers, and d) business office staff & managers.

Experiential Learning Description: 

Deliverables from the program include a cultural experience journal and a technical paper. 

Your Pitt Study Abroad Contacts: 

Bill McShane

I am the Associate Director for Integrated Learning at the Katz Graduate School of Business. Part of my responsibilities includes expanding and enhancing global programing for graduate business students. Originally from South Central Pennsylvania, I studied abroad in Berlin, Germany during my undergrad in Philadelphia and taught English on a Fulbright grant in Hanover, Germany for a year following graduation. During my time as a grad student at Pitt, I interned in Brussels, Belgium at the US Mission to NATO. After working for four years in international education in Washington, DC, I returned to Pittsburgh in 2016 and am thrilled to be back working on study abroad programming. Outside of the office, you can probably find me somewhere outdoors in the region running, biking, hiking or camping.

 

Lauren Smith-Lemesh M.Ed.

Om Swastiastu Pitt! My name is Lauren, and I am one of the Global Programs Managers in the Swanson School of Engineering. I studied abroad in Indonesia during undergraduate, and worked as a peer study abroad advisor once I returned. After my study abroad trip, I knew that I wanted to support students to have life-changing experiences abroad too. Let's talk about your interests and find a program that will help you achieve your goals! 

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

  • Log in to Pathways or use the Navigate app.
  • Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
  • Select Pitt Global as the Care Unit.
  • Select 152 Benedum as the Location
  • Select ENGR Global  as the service
  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me!

Alicia JF Olalde, M.A.

Hello! Konnichiwa! I am the Director for Global Experiences and Engagement in the Swanson School of Engineering.  After working for the JET program in Japan for just over two years, I decided to pursue a career in international education. I returned to the US via a few months of travel -slowing making my way west with many stops in stunning locations and with amazing people. Whenever possible, I continue  explore new countries and cultures and have had the good fortune to work, study and travel all over the world. I have been fortunate to work both as an administrator and as a classroom educator in higher education; my areas of interest are international, adult and comparative education.  I enjoy assisting engineering students seize global opportunities! 

Schedule an appointment

SSOE students: schedule an appointment with me using Pathways via this link!

non-SSOE students-- send me an email and we'll set up a time to meet!

 

Dr. Bopaya Bidanda

Dr. Bopaya Bidanda joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh in 1987 after his doctoral degree from the Department of Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering at Penn State. His research is in the area of manufacturing systems with a special focus on Group Technology, Reverse Engineering, Cellular manufacturing, Lean Manufacturing, Human issues in manufacturing, Product Development, and Manufacturing Modernization. He is currently the Ernest E. Roth Professor and Chairman of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.

 

At Pitt, he has helped found the Manufacturing Assistance Center, the Automated Data Collection Laboratory, and more recently the Swanson Center for New Product Innovation.

 

He has industrial experience in aerospace manufacturing, precision manufacturing and tooling accrued before graduate study. He has co-published two books with McGraw Hill (Automated Factory Handbook and Shared Manufacturing), in addition to over 100 papers in international journals and conference proceedings.

 

He has served the Industrial Engineering profession in many roles ranging from the Director of Conferences (1999-2000) to President of the Senior Pittsburgh Chapter, to being the Program Chair for both the IE Research Conference (Phoenix 1997), and the IIE Solutions Conference (Banff, 1998). Dr. Bidanda has participated in accreditation visits to many engineering schools across the United States on behalf of the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET).

 

He has actively consulted with organizations ranging from regional small and medium sized industries to national heavy engineering industries to precision luxury goods re-manufacturing. Recent examples include FedEx Ground, PPG, Schroeder Industries, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Eaton-Cutler Hammer Inc., and Cartier Inc and the Department of National Defence (Canada).

 

His research has been funded by the Federal Government (NSF, Department of Commerce), major foundations (including W.M. Keck Foundation, the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, etc.), and the State Government (Department of Labor) and private industry (FedEx Ground).

 

He is a senior member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial Engineers.

Dr. G. G. Hegde

G. G. Hegde’s recent publications have been in the Healthcare and Emergency Medicine domain. In his analytical and empirical research, Dr. Hegde has studied manufacturing and service management issues from a systems perspective, where design engineering, production control, accounting, and market/field constitute a production system. He has emphasized bridging theory with practice in research and in teaching. Some of his field-based research projects which grew out of his interactions with industry have helped in understanding the workings of manufacturing and service systems in the organizations studied. His recent consulting activities have been in the financial services and e-commerce areas.
Dr. Hegde has taught a wide variety of process management, statistics and quantitative methods courses at the Katz School, Duke University, Georgetown University, University of Maryland, and the University of Rochester, in addition to his teaching emphasis in the field of manufacturing management.

 

  In- State Out-of-State

Program Fee

$4,950

$5,150

(Expenses Billed by Pitt)    
     

Estimated Additional Expenses

$100-$500 $100-$500
(Meals and Personal Expenses)    
Visa (depends on agency) $40-$106 $40-$106
Travel to/from PIT Varies Varies
Total Estimated Cost Varies Varies

 

Students should be prepared to budget for RT airfare to India for the program dates. Students will be advised on when to purchase tickets for this program.

Students should also be aware that a visa will be required for this program. More information will be shared at the Panther Program Agreement meeting.

For Swanson Students: This class operates outside of normal tuition and fee schedules and cannot be combined nor included in full-term tuition pricing. Please consult the program manager with any questions. 

For Katz Students: Students should include in their budget for this program 3 credits of Katz tuition, but should consult the program manager or academic advisor for further questions regarding the billing for this course.

 

Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run. 

 

What's Included: 

As part of the program fee, the following are included:

  • All academic-related trips and excursions
  • Ground transportation - including bus and in-country transfers
  • Some meals - breakfasts, welcome and farewell dinners, some allowance for lunches

 
Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run. 

When You'll Go: 
  • Delhi/ Agra
  • Kochi
  • Thekkady
What Else You Need to Know: 

 
Special registration procedures apply. Students do not self-register for the course (they are closed classes). More information on the enrollment process will be communicated to selected students. 
 
Selected students will be required to attend an agreement meeting on May 17 from 4-6pm on Zoom 
 
Enrollment and commitment deadlines are different than normal Pitt add/drop deadlines.
 
Please be advised that Professional MBA students who exceed 9 credits will be charged the full-time MBA tuition rate.
 
Please note, program subject to minimum number of accepted/enrolled students to run.