WPP is the world's largest communications services group, employing 179,000 people working in 3,000 offices in 111 countries. Its headquarters are in London.If you look at the world ranking of advertising agencies globally, this is among the top league. The company has very strong presence in India.
Now WPP and the Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI), a fast-growing recognized leader in arts and design vocational education, has officially unveiled its ISDI WPP School of Communication campus in Mumbai.
The ISDI | WPP School campus was inaugurated by Sir Martin Sorrell, CEO, WPP along with its inaugural batch of 60 students.
This marks WPP’s first foray into the Indian education sector. The partnership aims to create India’s first professional three-year undergraduate certification program in communication-based on a unique work-study model that will bring together a strong academic and creative curriculum combined with practical application.
WPP and it's affiliates are globally recognized for their in-house training and development programs, have worked closely with ISDI to develop the School’s curriculum and hire full-time faculty. With an aim to provide students a balanced work-study environment, senior management from WPP companies and industry academicians are mentoring the programme serving as part-time faculty.
Sir Martin Sorrell WPP CEO, said on the launch “At our recent meeting with Prime Minister Modi in New York organized by Rupert and James Murdoch, he suggested the Media Industry develop Universities to train and develop the considerable young talent India has. This initiative represents WPPs initial response to the Prime Ministers challenge. It is a small, but significant first step".
Ranjan Kapur, Country Manager,WPP India said, “A small but important step has been taken to fill the resource gap in our industry. It is also a demonstration of collaboration between Academia and Industry to create a curriculum that is unique and relevant to the needs of a fast-changing communication environment.”
Dr. Indu Shahani, HR College and the Chair- Academic Council at ISDI,"ISDI | WPP School of Communication is an effort to bring the 'real world of work 'to the classrooms and to teach theory with a practical orientation. The first batch of young students is excited to welcome Sir Martin Sorell on his first visit to the School since it began in July this year. We would like to strengthen this partnership and look forward to interesting live projects and internships for students in the WPP group of companies in India and globally."
Radha Kapoor, Founder and Executive Director at ISDI, said,"Indian School of Design and Innovation (ISDI) is laser focused on building a New-Gen ecosystem of Design & Innovation driven by Creative Entrepreneurship in India. It is a matter of great pride to partner with WPP, the Global leader in communications under the visionary leadership of Sir Martin Sorell, for the ISDI-WPP School of Communications at Lower Parel Innovation District (LPID) in Mumbai. (LPID) is an initiative being championed by ISDI)
As Indian Entrepreneurship leapfrogs in today's globalised economy, effective Communication with Confidence & Conviction amongst Indian Entrepreneurs will be a key factor for achievement of success. This is in fullest consonance for actualisation of Digital India. We are happy to welcome Sir Martin Sorell to inaugurate the ISDI-WPP School of Communication which prepares students to be ready for the real world by being mentored by professionals from the WPP Group which I believe is the newage model of education”, she further added.
In another key announcement, WPP has announced the launch of ‘WPP India Corporate Social Responsibility Foundation’, consolidating CSR activities of all WPP Companies in India under one umbrella and working in unison towards effecting social change and nation building.
The foundation is committed to a common CSR vision to “Enable children and youth from vulnerable and marginalized communities to achieve their full potential through holistic child development with a focus on education, life skills and health”.
Further, WPP India CSR Foundation, is launching an ambitious Rs. 33 Crore (USD 5 Million) education, life skills and vocational training programme targeted to reach 20,000 children aged from 11 to 18 years over the next three years. To take the programme to the ground, The Foundation’ has partnered with Genesis Foundation, Hope For Children and Magic Bus as implementation partners bringing required local knowledge and in-depth community connect.
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