U.S. India Join Hands to Improve Power Sector, Launch India's First Program in Energy Management

July 15, 2005

New Delhi -- In another significant step toward continued bilateral cooperation on energy, the United States and India today launched an Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) in Energy Management to groom power and energy sector executives in India.

One of the first of its kind in India, this 15-month program implemented by the Management Development Institute will include a specialization in power distribution as a part of the Distribution Reform, Upgrades and Management (DRUM) project of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The post-graduate diploma in energy management will address the demand for such specialized training in India’s institutes of higher learning. Indian Minister of Power P.M. Sayeed inaugurated this comprehensive and long-term program that will create global leaders to manage and effectively lead change in the energy sector.

In his keynote address at the ceremony, U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Robert O. Blake highlighted the fact that this program will support the recently announced Energy dialogue between the U.S. and India. He said: “Next Monday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President George W. Bush will be meeting for an historic summit to chart a way forward in the US-India strategic partnership. Energy cooperation will be at the forefront of talks between our two leaders.”

Congratulating the first batch of 50 power sector executives for this program, Mr. Blake said, “The Energy Dialogue provides a significant forum for enhanced cooperation between our two countries. Enhancing the business management skills of power sector executives is very important for India’s overall economic development.”

This new training program under DRUM will provide professional development for electric utility personnel and develop a cadre of trained executives to lead the country’s power distribution utilities into the future. The activity forms a cornerstone for strategic and sustainable growth in the power sector, and, thereby, contributes to overall economic growth of the country.

Under DRUM, USAID and the Ministry of Power are working together to demonstrate that commercially viable power utilities are key to meeting consumer needs and expanding supply. DRUM is a $30 million effort that includes a major training component. Approximately 25,000 utility personnel will be trained in improved technical, commercial, and managerial electricity distribution practices.