Tour of ISB and Hyderabad

As introduction, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) through its BUiLD program, facilitates educational, social and voluntary programs during the semester breaks. Ten UTS students are attending one such program at the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad during July 2011.

This 3 week course at ISB covers the emerging economic giant of India, focusing on social entrepreneurship, microfinance and Indian business culture.

ISB itself is only 10 years old, but it is a dynamic think tank. Its prestigious MBA program is ranked 13^th in the world, and is a fast tracked one year program (vs the usual 2 years). All students must start and finish the course each year at the same times, and all reside on campus during course duration.

First impressions of India

First class Hyderabad Airport
My very first experience of India was arriving at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad in the early morning of 4 July. The operation of the airport was impressive, well designed and transition through customs and baggage collection was painless and quick. This was not what I expected!

I’ve since learned that RGIA was rated by Airports Council International as world best in the 5-15 million passenger category. This airport was developed and is operated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL), a Joint Venture consisting of GMR Group as the main partner along with national/ state governments as minor partners (ie. it is not state run).

Presidential Visit
We got our first taste of the unexpected when we reached the ISB campus (around 2am), and were informed that the President of India, H.E. Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patel would be attending the university the following day. Understandably we woke in the morning to a large military and government presence (including snipers on the roofs of the main campus). Although we were unable to attend the speech at such short notice, it was broadcast live on digital television. ISB link of the speech: http://www.isb.edu/File/PresidentSpeech.pdf

Unfortunately due to political unrest in the State of Anderra Pradesh, Hyderabad’s transportation system was effectively shut down for the two following days and for safety reasons all students were kept on the ISB campus during this time. News link below:

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/south/telangana-remains-shut-second-day-057

ISB Campus

Main ISB Building

The good news for us was that we were able to explore the ISB campus and become familiar with the rest of our UTS study group, and the other ISB students. The campus itself consists of a main circular facility building surrounded by gardens containing four student villages, a recreation centre and staff/ lecturer accommodation buildings.
 

It is easy to get spoiled at ISB. All meals are provided buffet style and are of good quality, we are spoiled for choice. It is easy to pack on the kilos! This is where the excellent recreation and gym facilities come in. The campus provides complementary access to a complete gym with personal trainer, squash, basketball, volley ball courts, ping pong and billiard tables, and a 30 metre pool.


Sight seeing the history and culture of Hyderabad
Our first few lectures at ISB provided us with some background to Indian culture along with country facts and figures and overall framework of the economic and infrastructure development over the past 20 years. This was excellent ground work for our first foray into the city.


UTS-ISB Gang at Chowmahalla Palace

 On Thursday, 7 July we took a bus tour of Hyderabad, starting with Salar Jung museum in Old Hyderabad, containing an extensive collection of statues (both ancient Indian deities and European classic), ancient weaponry, paintings, wooden crafts, traditional clothing, and numerous ivory artefacts including a full size ivory horse carriage.


Chowmahalla Palace



Charminar bazaar





Next stop was the Chowmahalla Palace, with its impressive marble throne and ornate hall, rooms filled with artefacts & paintings, and a collection of classic vehicles including a 1912 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. Then on to Charminar, the local bazaar, famous for bangles and pearls where some of the group bargained and bought trinkets while others hassled a vendor for a fresh coconut.


Woman painting stairs - Golconda Fort



Golconda Fort

Last stop on our tour was the Golconda Fort which is an impressive sight, built on a 120 meter granite hill, the wall spans 5kms and was in use till around 1590AD. Our patient tour guide diligently explained every hall, room and pathway. The day we arrived happened to coincide with the Hindu Bonalu festival, which takes place at a temple at the top of the fort and goes for the whole of July. Although we missed the ceremony, there were a number of people in and around the fort, painting each of the steps leading up to the temple.

Descending Golconda Fort

  

It was around 8pm but our day was not yet done. We all needed local Sim cards in order to call home. Phone stores stay open till past 9pm here, so, first experience doing business in India! We needed all the help we could get from Rahul, Suvir and our tour guide but after an hour of passport photocopying, buying phones and credit we were on our way.

– First day in a major Indian city was one to remember (even if we were a bit pampered on a tour bus!).

Buying phone credit at 9pm

That’s it for today…

Over the coming blogs I’ll be covering various ISB lectures and tours of different companies which we are doing throughout the course. - Bollywood film review service can be included for a fee.