WLC College India

WLCI College India
Address
160 B, Lane W1, Block E, Western Avenue, Sainik Farms, Khanpur
New Delhi, 110062
India
Information
Website http://www.wlci.in

The WLC College India (WLCI) (formerly Wigan and Leigh College) is a professional training institution in India. Headquartered in Delhi, it was established in 1996. The institute has nine campuses and offers undergraduate, graduate, part-time programmes in business management, fashion technology, media and advertising and graphic design.

WLCI is a unique institution in the Indian education industry, which offers internationally recognised qualifications in partnership with several British Universities. Today, it offers a comprehensive skill development curriculum, which is closely integrated with the requirements of the industry.[1]

Following a unique training methodology, WLCI specialises in providing employable workforce to the industry. It started a unique traineeship programme in the year 2000, which enables its students to work part-time with reputed companies alongside their training. Through this programme, the students acquire real world experience during their course.[2]

In 2002, WLCI established a cloud campus, enabling worldwide access to its skill development courses. In 2008, WLCI was one of the first educational institutions in India to receive private equity funding.[3] This enabled the college to invest heavily into research to create content and processes that focus on development of professional skills and enhancing employability. WLCI employs only experienced industry professionals with a successful track record to train, coach and mentor its students.

The WLCI was ranked second among the emerging business schools in India by Business Today magazine in November 2012.[4]

History

WLCI was founded in 1996 (as Wigan & Leigh College India Ltd.) by [Vinay Pasricha], with its headquarters in New Delhi. Within the first few years, the college established a strong presence across the Indian subcontinent with campuses in all major cities.

In 1997, WLCI introduced the Chartered Institute of Marketing and CIMA qualifications in India for the first time. In 1999, it introduced a unique ‘earn while you learn programme’ in partnership with the industry.[5] In 2004, WLCI launched the ability creation system, aimed at creating job-specific competencies in students.

The year 2005 saw WLCI introducing a fully integrated e-learning platform for all the academic programmes. In 2006, the institution started its virtual campus.

In 2007, WLCI established an employer’s council consisting of the who’s who of the Indian industry, to advise on content and training processes.[6]

WLCI became one of the first educational institutions in India to receive Private Equity funding in 2008. In 2011, the WLCI partnered with TATA MOTORS to jointly start automobile management academies in six WLCI learning locations namely Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Noida and Pune.[7]

Campuses and People

The institution commenced its operations in Bengaluru in 1997, along with a campus in Kolkata. The Mumbai and Indore campuses took shape in the year 2000, and Hyderabad and Pune in 2002. WLCI started its campus in Chennai in 2005, and Nagpur in 2007.

The institution commenced its branch Wigan & Leigh College Nepal (WLCN), offering Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes, in Kathmandu in 2007.[8]

All the WLCI campuses are equipped with facilities such as the Internet, well-stocked libraries, auditoriums etc. The institution has a core as well as visiting faculty. The WLCI also provides hostel accommodation on all campuses for outstation students.

All WLCI trainers are experienced professionals from the industry who help students grow both personally and professionally.

WLCI also has program managers who are industry professionals with at least 15 years of experience. He is responsible for the overall administration and operations of the respective school. Coaches, on the other hand, help students to overcome challenges in professional development. The coach ensures that each student has a life and a career plan that he is aided in achieving.

There are also Mentors who provide an overall support in implementing the development plan of the students.

WLCI School of Business

WLCI School of Business was founded in 1996. The institute offers full-time and part-time programmes for Undergraduates, Graduates and Working Professionals. The school operates through campuses in nine cities. The Business Programmes primarily focus on developing professional competencies based on systems, processes and practices in the industry. The courses offered cover Marketing, Finance and Human Resource verticals of Business Management, which are further sub-classified to cater to specialised skill development.

The various sub-classifications include sales, retail and digital marketing in Marketing courses; in Finance, sub-courses such as financial planning and analyses, treasury and capital market, financial reporting and statutory compliance; Talent acquisition, talent management and OD, employee relations and other such subjects in Human Resources course.

The WLCI Business programmes also include development of comprehensive life and core skills that enable students to become goal-oriented professionals.

The workshops conducted by the college are chaired by eminent industry professionals, who create real-industry scenarios for students to understand and solve. Students at WLCI work as trainees in the industry throughout the duration the course, thus gaining real business experience, which makes them readily employable.[9]

WLCI School of Advertising & Graphic Design

The WLCI School of Advertising & Graphic Design was established in 1998 with an aim to develop professional expertise and aesthetic aptitude in students to become global designers. The institution offers courses for undergraduates, graduates and working professionals.

The programmes of WLCI School of Advertising & Graphic Design are designed to prepare students to access global opportunities in the field of Communication Design, Advertising, Branding, Packaging, Retail Design, Online-Web and Interactive MultiMedia, Animation, Photography, Editorial, Print Publishing and Film and TV set designing.

The students gain practical experience through live projects and workshops, helping them build an impressive portfolio of work as per the industry standards.

The college also exhibits the creative work of its students annually to introduce the young designers to the industry.[10]

WLCI School of Fashion Technology

The WLCI School of Fashion is one of the leading fashion schools of India. Founded in 1997, it has produced over 2,500 designers and merchandisers over last 18 years. The programmes of the institution focus on designing garment production and manufacturing, preparing students to work in the apparel industry, buying houses, design studios, export houses, fashion retail, online fashion business and garment manufacturing.

The fashion school trains students to become fashion designers, illustrators, merchandisers and communication experts. The course includes elements of visual communication, surface ornamentation, textile science, and garment construction and production techniques. The college organises fashion shows showcasing the designs of the students and exhibiting the talent to the fashion industry.[11][12] Celebrated designer Rohit Bal, after he attended one of the fashion shows hosted by WLCI School of Fashion Technology, was quoted saying, “This afternoon I saw some of the best works of students that I have ever seen. Each of your students has a real understanding of detail, of pattern making and style. Please continue the good work.”.

One of the other honours collected by the students of the WLCI was the Melbourne Cup Lunch and fashion show where one of the students won the design challenge.[13]

WLCI School of Media

The WLCI School of Media was established in 2002. It offers courses for undergraduate, graduate and working professionals in the areas of media production and mass communication, with an aim to develop professional expertise and aesthetic aptitude while keeping up with the fast changing technologies and market conditions.

The media school trains students in journalism, photography, radio production, sound, anchoring, script writing, video editing, public relations, cinematography and filmmaking.

Students are encouraged to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenario and create their own news programmes, TV documentaries, photo journals etc. The WLCI School of Media alumni today work in senior positions as chief correspondent, programming producer, cinematograher, director, documentary producer, TV anchors in leading news channels.[14]

Placements and Alumni

At WLCI, all students start working part-time as trainees in the industry during the course. This work experience, coupled with industry-endorsed curriculum, ensures employability at the end of the programme.

WLCI has tie-ups with over 500 companies for part-time and full-time placements. Barclays, IBM, ITC, Larsen & Toubro, PEPSI, Standard & Chartered, WIPRO are a few names who have hired the industry-ready students from WLCI.

The WLCI has an extensive alumni network of over 17,000 professionals working with leading organisations across the world.

The alumni’s artworks have entered and won awards in international competitions like Cannes, Archive, New York Festival, Art Directors Annual and Young Guns Award.

While some have been offered traineeship and jobs by renowned personalities in respective industries,[15] some of WLCI’s alumni have become successful entrepreneurs.[16]

[17]

Scholarships

WLCI has been offering scholarships to Indian students to help them pursue under-graduate and post-graduate courses. They decided to offer more than 100 scholarships to students in 2014, which were provided on the basis of performance of the students in the WLCI Scholarship Test.[18][19]

WLCI also announced a complete waiver of fee on 15% of the total seats for the underprivileged aspiring students.[20]

Management

Vinay Pasricha is the chairman of WLCI. Other members in the management team include Malobika Sengupta, Lt. General KM Seth, Professor Raju Vir, Brigadier Chandra Mukesh, Anamika Verma, Deepti Baweja, Bhavna Sharma, Deepak Agarwal. Col. Sanjib Nag, Binika Ramesh, Bhavna Khattar, Y. Vasudev Rao, Bipul Sutradhar, G. Siva Kumar and K. Natarajan.

In June 2013, the Hindu [Business Line] reported Vinay Pasricha saying that the students at WLCI are successful as they are taught what the industry demands. [21]

Controversies

In 2011, WLCI had accused IIM-Kolkata of intellectual property theft.[22] WLCI had alleged that IIM-Kolkata copied structure and syllabus of a special course. However, WLCI had not registered a copyright for the educational course. IIM-Kolkata had labelled the allegation as frivolous.

In response, Vinay Pasricha, Chairman WLCI, was quoted saying, “If you read their norms, they are a discouragement for honest people. We should make it easier for people to start a college, open the floodgates of higher education. Only 65% of our youth go for higher education. Do we need to encourage education or discourage it?”.[23]

References

  1. ↑ "WLCI College, New Delhi (Delhi)". SiliconIndia.
  2. ↑ "WLCI Jobs and Careers". TributeIndia.
  3. ↑ "Slowdown spares education sector". BusinessLine.
  4. ↑ "Ranks by Emerging schools". BusinessToday.
  5. ↑ "Tribute India". TributeIndia.
  6. ↑ "WLCI Institution". WLCI.
  7. ↑ "Values that matter-Tata Motors" (PDF). TataMotors.
  8. ↑ "Wigan and Leigh plans expansion". Business Standard.
  9. ↑ "Tribute India". Tribute India.
  10. ↑ "Aesthetic heritage of ‘Indian Street Graphics’". News India.
  11. ↑ "The promising young designers of tomorrow". DeccanHerald.
  12. ↑ "Zeenat Aman, Manish Malhotra mark WLC fashion show". ZeeNews.
  13. ↑ "Now, isn’t that hat couture?". TheHindu.
  14. ↑ "Top 5 courses after class 12". TheHindu.
  15. ↑ "Of gota and gardens". TheHindu.
  16. ↑ "Jenjum Gadi launches first store". Business Standard.
  17. ↑ "Get Legal Help at Your Doorstep". NewsIndianExpress.
  18. ↑ "WLCI offers scholarships to Indian students". IndiaToday.
  19. ↑ "Announcing the WLCI Scholarship Test". IndianPRwire.
  20. ↑ "Private schools implementing quota for OBCs voluntarily". LiveMint.
  21. ↑ "Wigan & Leigh (India) to foray into China, HK". LiveMint.
  22. ↑ "WLC accuses IIM-Calcutta of 'intellectual property theft'". The Times of India.
  23. ↑ "A difficult regulatory regime". Live Mint.

External links

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