Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO, Infosys, shares his thoughts on Creative Capitalism & Infosys’ social initiatives in this exclusive interview with Priyanka Rajpal of B&E
Q: Kindly share Infosys’ initiatives on these lines.
KG: Creative Capitalism is an evolving concept and we are keenly following its evolution. We like to consider some of our initiatives in education a part of Creative Capitalism – namely the Special Training Program (STP) program and Project Genesis. The STP enables unemployed graduates and post-graduates in technical streams from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to compete on an equal footing in the job market. Likewise, Project Genesis helps students from tier 2 and tier 3 towns to hone their skills to match the requirements of the BPO industry. These programs are run in collaboration with universities and the government. It is implemented as a consortium with Infosys, E&R Campus Connect team/Infosys BPO team, state and central Governments, academia partners, and other industry/corporate partners. The program is aimed at unemployed engineering graduates.
They are trained not only in technical areas, but more importantly, are groomed holistically through personality development programs that address their self-confidence, life skills, proficiency in English and process and quality-related orientation. Post the training, Infosys/IBPO and other IT/ITeS companies conducts job fairs where these students are placed or can seeks jobs with the best employers in the industry.
Genesis has similar programs, but is directed towards graduates in subjects other than engineering for employment in BPO-based businesses. In addition, it has extended the program to cater to physically-challenged individuals as well. Not only do these programs help students develop their skills, but at the same time, they create opportunities by bridging the employment gap in urban and rural India; bringing more people into the fold of capitalism and making it more inclusive.
B&E: According to you, what is the difference between Creative capitalism and CSR?
KG: Both as individuals and as companies, we have a responsibility towards society to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Corporate Social Responsibility is a form of responsible philanthropy. It involves organizations assessing their impact on and benefit derived from society. This must also be accompanied by organizations striving to improve the quality of life of those that exist in the societies within which they operate. Infosys is keenly aware of its social obligations and has established the Infosys Foundation as the execution arm of the company’s efforts towards this end. In healthcare and education, Infosys Foundation has contributed to the construction of hospital wards, made donations of advanced equipment, organized health camps and distributed medicines to underprivileged sections of society. The Infosys super-specialty section at the Sassoon Hospital in rural Pune is a case in point. This caters mainly to underprivileged patients with little or no access to good-quality medical treatment.
The Infosys Foundation also supports several schools in under-developed areas and has created a number of free public libraries. The Education and Research group conducts the Infosys Extension Program which includes programs that reach out to students in rural areas right from class 5 up to the level of research work leading to a PhD. It focuses on providing students exposure to computer training and educating them about the opportunities that are available to them for career progression.
Creative capitalism, in many ways, is an evolution of CSR. To put it figuratively, CSR aims to provide fish to feed the hungry; Creative Capitalism aims to teach the needy how to fish, thereby securing their future. It’s about making Capitalism – the essential philosophy of profit-generation, more socially responsible, equitable and sustainable. It’s about shaping the future and creating avenues for development, while also addressing the needs of the underprivileged sections of society.
Q: Kindly share Infosys’ initiatives on these lines.
KG: Creative Capitalism is an evolving concept and we are keenly following its evolution. We like to consider some of our initiatives in education a part of Creative Capitalism – namely the Special Training Program (STP) program and Project Genesis. The STP enables unemployed graduates and post-graduates in technical streams from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds to compete on an equal footing in the job market. Likewise, Project Genesis helps students from tier 2 and tier 3 towns to hone their skills to match the requirements of the BPO industry. These programs are run in collaboration with universities and the government. It is implemented as a consortium with Infosys, E&R Campus Connect team/Infosys BPO team, state and central Governments, academia partners, and other industry/corporate partners. The program is aimed at unemployed engineering graduates.
They are trained not only in technical areas, but more importantly, are groomed holistically through personality development programs that address their self-confidence, life skills, proficiency in English and process and quality-related orientation. Post the training, Infosys/IBPO and other IT/ITeS companies conducts job fairs where these students are placed or can seeks jobs with the best employers in the industry.
Genesis has similar programs, but is directed towards graduates in subjects other than engineering for employment in BPO-based businesses. In addition, it has extended the program to cater to physically-challenged individuals as well. Not only do these programs help students develop their skills, but at the same time, they create opportunities by bridging the employment gap in urban and rural India; bringing more people into the fold of capitalism and making it more inclusive.
B&E: According to you, what is the difference between Creative capitalism and CSR?
KG: Both as individuals and as companies, we have a responsibility towards society to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Corporate Social Responsibility is a form of responsible philanthropy. It involves organizations assessing their impact on and benefit derived from society. This must also be accompanied by organizations striving to improve the quality of life of those that exist in the societies within which they operate. Infosys is keenly aware of its social obligations and has established the Infosys Foundation as the execution arm of the company’s efforts towards this end. In healthcare and education, Infosys Foundation has contributed to the construction of hospital wards, made donations of advanced equipment, organized health camps and distributed medicines to underprivileged sections of society. The Infosys super-specialty section at the Sassoon Hospital in rural Pune is a case in point. This caters mainly to underprivileged patients with little or no access to good-quality medical treatment.
The Infosys Foundation also supports several schools in under-developed areas and has created a number of free public libraries. The Education and Research group conducts the Infosys Extension Program which includes programs that reach out to students in rural areas right from class 5 up to the level of research work leading to a PhD. It focuses on providing students exposure to computer training and educating them about the opportunities that are available to them for career progression.
Creative capitalism, in many ways, is an evolution of CSR. To put it figuratively, CSR aims to provide fish to feed the hungry; Creative Capitalism aims to teach the needy how to fish, thereby securing their future. It’s about making Capitalism – the essential philosophy of profit-generation, more socially responsible, equitable and sustainable. It’s about shaping the future and creating avenues for development, while also addressing the needs of the underprivileged sections of society.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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