Frankfurt Book Fair and IIM Ahmedabad launch publisher’s training programme

The Frankfurt Book Fair, with its India office (German Book Office, New Delhi) and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) have signed an MoU to jointly launch a publisher’s training programme.

With the Frankfurt Book Fair bringing in the industry experience and IIMA with its reputation of being the best B-School in India, the course aims to establish a comprehensive and much needed training for professionals in the industry as well as other professionals from affiliated industry who might want to know more or enter this segment which seems to be growing at a rate of about 30 percent.

Sharing his views on this interesting development, the director of Frankfurt Book Fair, Juergen Boos says, “We are very happy to establish this promising partnership. The Frankfurt Book Fair’s long-time rich experience in publishing and dealing rights serves as a valuable contribution to the rising Indian publishing industry. Together with the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad we will provide an excellent course that is sure to add value to this growing industry.”

Claudia Kaiser, vice-president, business development says, “India has long been a focus for the Frankfurt Book Fair, and after 2006 when India was the guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, our cooperation with the publishing industry in India has taken up speed. We are really looking forward to taking our cooperation to yet another level by establishing this state-of-the-art course together with IIMA.”

Akshay Pathak, the director of the German Book Office, New Delhi who initiated this dialogue with IIMA feels, “This collaboration not only would mean offering a world-class training programme for professionals but also a potential to look at the spectacular Indian publishing industry with a new perspective. It might and should start a more organized approach to the business.”

Prof Samir Barua, director, IIMA opines that knowledge is the most important asset of any society. The publishing industry is the key to documenting and disseminating knowledge. The programme therefore is an important initiative for us.