ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth today announced the opening of applications for ICICI Fellows, a pioneering leadership programme designed to create a cadre of socially responsible leaders for India. Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director & CEO, ICICI Bank Ltd and member of Governing Council, ICICI Foundation, said, ‘We are delighted to continue with ICICI’s five decades of contributing to India’s development with this new initiative to provide the next generation of leaders with the experience and skills required to promote inclusive growth.’ The ICICI Fellows programme was launched in 2009 and is designed for high-achieving youth from the ages of 21 to 28. Fellows spend two years working on grassroots development projects with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in rural India, combined with modules on management training and leadership development. Additionally, a mentor and coach support each Fellow.
‘This programme is not designed for leaders just in the social sector,’ explained Subrata Mukherji, Co-President, ICICI Foundation. We are cultivating the next generation of leaders for all industries, who will be shaped forever by what they learn and experience in rural India. We believe that the next fifty years of India’s development will be driven by growth and dynamism in rural India. Whether in business, civil society, the social sector or politics, India’s future leaders will be well served by first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities found there.’
Following a multi-stage selection process, 50 talented young graduates with high records of achievement, leadership potential and a passion for India will be selected as the next ICICI Fellows designate. Their fellowship experience will begin in July 2011 with an intensive month-long training course. This residential training is designed to provide a comprehensive orientation focused on understanding rural contexts, technical skills, management skills, personality development and an exposure to industry leaders. Following the training, the 50 ICICI Fellows designate will be placed with NGOs across the country, where they will work closely with experienced teams of senior NGO professionals.
This will be interspersed with formal management and leadership training. During December 2010 and January 2011, representatives from the ICICI Fellows programme will be visiting colleges in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Pune to share information about the programme and answer questions from students. Interested applicants must complete the online application and aptitude test. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at assessment centres in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. The ICICI Fellows class of 2011-2013 will be announced in May 2011. Those selected as ICICI Fellows designate will receive a monthly stipend and medical insurance over the course of the fellowship period. Costs for travelling to training programmes and their field sites will also be borne by the ICICI Fellows programme. Post-fellowship support including career counselling, professional networking and tie-ups with organisations seeking leadership talent will also be provided. In its inaugural year, the ICICI Fellows programme received 20,000 registrations and 2,000 applications. The 18 individuals selected last year are currently working nationwide with the following host NGOs: Aajeevika Bureau (Rajasthan), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (Gujarat), Chaitanya (Maharashtra), Gram Vikas (Orissa), Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra (Jharkand), Rajasthan Shram Sarathi Association (Rajashthan), Samarthan (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh), Seva Mandir (Rajasthan), Agricultural Terminal Markets Network Enterprise (Gujarat) and Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (Tamil Nadu). More details including the application, schedule of college visits and brief profiles of the individuals selected as last year’s fellows can be found at: http://www.icicifoundation.org/icicifellows
