IT'S NOT A MAN'S WORLD — REENA RAMACHANDRAN

‘I made the best use of change’

Her penchant for learning motivates Reena Ramachandran

Sangeeta Singh

Reena Ramachandran, director general of Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB)

She has taken a change of course. For Reena Ramachandran, director general of New Delhi-based Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), the entry into the education field came after many decades in key positions at various public sector undertakings and government departments. Indeed, it was when she was at the helm in Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd (HOCL) as the chairman and managing director, between 1995 and 2000 that she quit to join an educational institution to further ’value add’ to her long years of experience.

Indeed at FIIB, Ms Ramachandran is doing something entirely different from what she did before. She is helping in developing the curriculum, working towards providing students’ practical exposure to trade and industry and creating various students’ fora. FIIB offers a post graduate diploma in business management and Ms Ramachandran’s believes that to cope with the managerial challenges of today’s corporate world, students should develop into executives with a problem solving approach. She believes that she can help the students in this direction well as she herself has headed several divisions in various departments where tackling difficult situations had been a common issue.

A PhD in organic chemistry from Allahabad University and a doctrate in Science from University of Nantes, France, Ms Ramachandran started her career as a senior scientific officer with the Union ministry of science and technology in 1973. From there, she shifted to Cement Research Institute as group general manager. “ Here I got a chance translate research results to industrial use. The concept of mini cement plants was fast catching up, which gave me an exposure in the application field,” says Ms Ramachandran.

After spending six years at Cement Research Institute, Ms Ramchandran moved into the field of planning and formulation, this time at Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC). “I handled sensitive issues that involved trouble shooting and this assignment gave me considerable exposure,” says Ms Ramachandran.

It was during her tenure at ONGC that she further got an opportunity to sharpen her skills in the oil sector. From ONGC, she went on deputation to Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) in 1991 where she helped formulate policies relating to efficient use of petroleum. She says that it was during her time that the research association for the first time devised a long-term plan for energy conservation and its efficient use.

After spending 13 years at public sector undertakings, Ms Ramachandran got a position which any PSU employee would aspire for. She became the chairman and managing director of Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd. “ This was a challenging assignment as the economy was opening up and competition setting in,” she says. In fact, in her earlier position as director (marketing) of HOCL, she took several initiatives to help HOCL become more market-friendly. Under her leadership, it started a trading division, established stock points for better market access and systems for value added exports were put in place. “ The table had turned around from HOCL being a monopolistic organic chemical company to facing competition from both domestic and international players,” adds Ms Ramachandran.

The wife of a railway officer, change was a constant factor for Ms Ramacharndran as her husband’s transfers took her all over northern India. “But I made the best use of it. For example, I tried to finish my Ph.D from Allahabad university well on time.” she adds. But at the same time, in keeping with the demands of her career, she did not shun from accepting outstation assignments. She stayed away from family for more than 10 years when work kept her in Mumbai and the family was in Delhi. “This was the last 10 to 12 years of my career at PSUs and my children had grown up by then,” says Ms Ramachandran.

However, for Ms Ramachandran, her penchant for learning new things in life motivated her to take up new and demanding assignments. She has given lectures at various fora on human resource, crisis management and policy issues.” The idea to work with a management institute was occupying my mind for some time,” says Ms Ramachandran. Along with chairman Ishwar Dayal, former director, IIM Lucknow, Ms Ramachandran is driving the work at FIIB.

A Bharatnatyam and Odissi dancer, Ms Ramachandran is concerned about women’s issues. She is the president emeritus of the Forum for Women in Public Sectors which is recognised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). She has also organised workshops and seminars on women’s issues. “ There are several areas like information and technology and hospitality where women have been outperforming men,” she says. And she feels that women workforce should increase in India as there are certain qualities which are integral to women and which could be productively utilised in industry. “Developed nations like the US has a woman workforce of 35 percent and Japan of 27 percent.”

Today, with two grown up sons and an academic assignment Ms Ramachandran feels complete. “ The trying days of raising children and balancing work and home are over,” she says. Today. she spends her leisure hours listening to music and her involvement with various associations and organisations take care of the time that she can spare from the current assignment. Clearly, at 60 years, she still believes that she has a long way to go.