During our visit to the India International Centre (IIC), we had the opportunity to meet with Professor Rajat K Baisya. He was enroute to deliver a keynote address on project management and the convergence of the construction industry. Professor Rajat K Baisya is a widely respected management professor, author, and researcher. Formerly a Professor and Dean of IIT Delhi’s Department of Management Studies, he sat down with us to discuss a wide range of project management issues and the future of project and technology management. He is the founder President of the Project and Technology Management Foundation (www.ptmfonline.com). PTMF which was constituted as a non – government, non-profit society in the year 2010 with a view for development and promotion of the latest concepts and practices in the profession of project management and technology management.
As we questioned Dr Baisya about PTMF, he explained that the mission of the organization is to provide training, accreditation, and the exchange of ideas among professionals, practitioners, academics, and students. Through conferences, workshops, publications of journals, books and newsletters, online courses and academic program PTMF provides training and accreditation in project management and programme management.
Dr Baisya further explained that “Project Management is a crucial practical management discipline as through successful projects we build our future. No other management discipline has attracted as much attention as project management. There has been great progress made in the development of tools and techniques for effective project management during the last forty years.” In support of this endeavor, PTMF is an apex organization in the country, and a member of the Asia Pacific Federation of Project Management (www.apfpm.org ). In collaboration with Applied Knowledge Science Inc. USA (www.aksciences.com), and also in association with Mountain Quest Institute ( www.mountainquestinstitute.com ) in West Virginia USA, PTMF offers a joint certificate and diploma program in Knowledge Management and Innovation Management.
Additionally, PTMF has entered into a collaborative agreement with LENS Living Lab (www.3-lab.eu) and Network of Large Infrastructure Projects (NETLIPSE, www.netlipse.eu), an organization funded by the EU that facilitates the exchange of information, experience, and knowledge regarding large infrastructure projects. Also, PTMF has formed a collaboration and strategic partnership with ROBOFLEX (www.3lexarca.com) – one of the EU-funded Competence Centers in Slovenia that researches robotics and other key enabling technologies (KETs) for competitive advantages in the SME sector.
Having extensive experience in project and technology management, Dr Baisya concluded his remarks by stating, “I am seeking to make the most of my experience in order to ensure that knowledge is adequately disseminated, as well as ensuring that activities and programs are designed to engage the younger generation, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the latest technology.”
