The event, which was organised by the PGDBA (Post-Graduation in Business Administration) students, was a three-way interaction between students, Indian industry and foreign representatives through their consulates. Said Harshal, one of the student organisers: ``As our course is geared towards international business, this meet, which saw a huge international presence, made a lot of sense.''

Explained Tanwar: ``PGDBA aims to create a comprehensive understanding of the management concepts and challenges involved in doing business internationally. The emphasis is on learning by doing and the students learn Japanese management techniques along withtraditional Western management concepts.''

So, a seminar wherein an interface between the students, industry and the consulates is possible, is a positive development for job opportunities in international business. It's also a good way to get a firsthand understanding of business and feedback from the other side -- foreign consulates in this case, added Harshal.

On the use of such seminars, Harshal said: ``Last year, we organised a seminar on `Forex Risk Management', and we found that the number of companies coming to our campus for recruitment had gone up.'' And that was because of the direct interaction possible at such meets, he added.

The foreign representatives at the recent seminar included those from Switzerland, Western Australia, South Africa, the US and Canada. Each of the representatives gave a presentation on the business prospects in their countries.

The presentations were followed by a question and answer session. For instance, the trade representative of Western Australia spoke for hiscountry and presented before the participants the opportunities available there. Switzerland's consul highlighted the chances in the Swiss tourism industry. He said he was delighted by the Bollywood presence in his country, naming Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge as one of the films shot there. Canada focussed on Vancouver being the Asian capital.

Tarjani Vakil, former chairperson, Exim Bank, who was the chief guest at the symposium, said that it was a significant meet because international business activity was characteristic of the dynamic globalising world of today. Vakil, who contributed in a major way to make Exim Bank a $1-million entity, explained the relevance of looking out to the world: ``Exports and imports of products for services, mergers and acquisitions within and across national frontiers, tripping of assets, restructuring of business, purchase of products and patents, enhancing brand equity, acquiring international accreditation for penetrating developed markets, foreign directinvestment and stock market activity are some of the features of today's business environment.''

Addressing the symposium, Vakil spoke about universal acceptance. For instance, Kellogg's cereal, Colgate toothpaste, Reebok shoes, Parker pens, Omega watches, Coke, Pepsi, Ford and Suzuki have all brought everyone closer to each other, she elaborated. ``More like a global village,'' she said.Going on to the common problems of the world, Vakil said: ``Y2K and the Euro conversion affect the entire world. Also, when the US Federal Reserve chairman sneezes or Boris Yeltsin trips on the carpet, the world markets get fever...''

Quoting from her earlier address at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Vakil said: ``You must be aware that the beach shorts that you wear during the Spring break are made in India. It is just as likely that the radiator cap in your car was made in India or that your Dell computer has an Indian motherboard and power supply equipment. Maybe the red roses you bought thisValentine's were grown in India.''

But although Unilever recruits Indian management trainees and many Indians occupy high positions in MNCs all over the world, Vakil felt that India needed to mend relations with the developed world. ``We need to import technology and investments,'' she added. ``Who could be best suited for it but the goodwill envoys of these countries?''

Vakil also indicated that the interaction with the consuls present at the meet would be useful in identifying specific items of export and import, areas of cooperation and problems faced in increasing trade and improving economic relations. And for the students of Narsee Monjee, it was an opportunity to seek greener pastures.