THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, 17 May 2008 — Shashi Tharoor, former UN undersecretary-general for communications and public information, has launched Kerala’s first international school of global business communication skills at the Technopark here.
Tharoor’s Afras Academy for Business Communication (AABC) aims at providing state-of-the-art facilities focusing on intonation, accent modification and other language skills that enable candidates to speak and understand English with ease. “This is not a finishing school,” Tharoor, who is also the chairman of the Dubai-based Afras Ventures formed recently to promote investments in Kerala, said at the academy’s launch last week.
“Our aim is to make graduates and professionals more employable by honing their English-speaking skills,” he said. Gov. R.L. Bhatia opened the academy in the presence of a host of dignitaries while Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan presided over the function.
An internationally-acclaimed author, Tharoor was India’s official candidate for the office of United Nations secretary-general in 2006 and he came second out of seven official candidates in the race. There were also reports that he might be inducted into the Cabinet by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
AABC is to provide modern instruction methodologies “to groom India’s future business leaders and professionals capable of making a mark in the international arena,” Tharoor said.
“Aided by the latest technology and advanced computer software systems, the AABC course curriculum is specially designed to help develop appropriate skills for any position common to transnational organizations and can benefit people at any point during the career.”
AABC (www.aabc.in) has special modules designed for corporate executives and management professionals seeking to upgrade their language and communication skills to international standards.
State-of-the-art vocal instruction technologies, most advanced speech analysis systems, graphic representation of target speech patterns, combinations of written, oral, visual and kinesthetic techniques ensure global standards in business communication skills not just for executives in high profile organizations but for fresh candidates as well who seek key placements in any ventures of global repute.
The courses will commence next month and the duration of the course will be two months. There will be 20 students in each batch and the fees will be Rs.30,000. “I am not a teacher and there is no place for amateurs like me in teaching. But I will be coming to the institute often,” Tharoor said.
Technopark, the hub of knowledge-based industries promoted by the state government, is providing the infrastructure and has invested Rs.20 million in the academy headed by the US speech pathologist and trainer Tina L. Parsons.
“Kerala’s youth need to express themselves better in English if they are to do the kind of work the 21st century world needs. Young graduates from Kerala are very good in science but not so good in expressing themselves in English,” Tharoor said.
Technopark has earmarked 10,000 sq. meters for running two finishing schools, part of which has been allotted to AABC.
Tharoor said his company was likely to replicate the training model being established here, in other centers as well, or franchise the model.
