President Pratibha Devisingh Patil Inaugurates ‘Contributor Development Lab’ and 'Dmagics' exhibition at Welingkar Institute

President Pratibha Patil inaugurated, the Contributor Development Lab (CDL) at of Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research. The CDL is a unique pioneering platform created by We School, to recognize, create and nurture its students as contributors to society. It aims to bring about self-awakening among the students so that they embark on a life-long journey of contribution. The President also inaugurated the 'Dmagics'- Design for Management and Growth in Corporations and Society Exhibition - set up by WeSchool to showcase socially beneficial innovative business concepts developed by its students.

Among the other dignitaries who graced the occasion, were Shri K Sankaranarayan, governor of Maharashtra, along with Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chauhan, Dy. Chief Minister Shri Ajit Pawar and Shri Dilip Walse Patil- Speaker, Maharashtra Assembly.

Stressing the need for development of vocational and entrepreneurial skills for creating large scale self-employment opportunities, the president commended the contribution of We School. “Converting thoughts into action by offering practical innovative and technology-driven programs is perhaps an indication of the approach required in our country.”

Mentioning a quote by the Greek philosopher Socrates, President Patil focusing beyond skill development, said, “Education is as much about learning to deal with life, as it is about character building. Hence, educational institutions have the responsibility to nurture the future generation with knowledge, culture and values that will help them achieve their full potential and be responsible citizens.”

Explaining the idea behind the CDL and 'Dmagics' exhibition, Prof. Dr Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (We School) said: “Time has come to go beyond giving degrees to nurturing - not just manager but a citizen manager of India; in fact, a step beyond, nurturing global citizen managers. There is a growing ‘trust deficit’ in society coupled with heightened global economic uncertainty. This will require nurturing people who have the urge to make a difference; whose contributions are not restricted by their designation in organizations they work. The Contributor Development Lab (CDL) and 'Dmagics' exhibition are steps in this direction.”

At the Contributor Development Lab (CDL) at We School, students are encouraged to create business enterprises that serve a social purpose. This is based on the realization that there is an urgent need today for redesigning management education to be responsive to the needs of the society at large, via the business enterprises route. Along with academic excellence, management students here are mentored through practical insights, and encouraged to have adaptive flexibility and social responsibility.

The 'Dmagics' exhibition showcases the innovative, workable design solutions devised by We School students to transform goods and services to better address the market needs. The exhibits portray the magic of design thinking and the wonders it can conjure when judiciously used in enterprises. WeSchool students have used the same to develop innovative business concepts, strategies, products and services in different industry sectors that would have an impact on the society and growth in the industry.