IIFT`s MPIB Programme has a unique feature- The Port Visit. It is a one-week affair and it requires the students to visit a port of their choice. The choices available to them are Singapore, Mumbai, Dubai, Calcutta and Chennai. The visit is made at the end of the 4th semester.

            Students learn about the working of ports and international shipping operations during this week. It helps them to relate whatever they have learnt in class to practical situations. It is an extremely important part of the curriculum as it enables IIFT students to gain an insight into international business. Students learn about documentation, lead-time, turnover time and shipping in general.

            This year two groups of students went to Singapore and Mumbai respectively. The Mumbai group began with a lecture by people from the Central Excise Office. They were shown the interior of a ship and the warehouse. Some students had entered a ship for the first time. They received a presentation on shipping from officials of The Shipping Authority of India at the Maritime Institute at Powai. They also received a presentation on freight forwarding.

            The Singapore group was shown the whole port. They also received presentations at the Trade Development Board (where they met a senior IIFTian) and SICCI (Singapore India Chamber of Commerce and industries). It was a learning experience as Singapore is a busy port. It turned out to be especially beneficial for all those who intend to run their own international enterprise in the near future. The students also met entrepreneurs of Indian origin who had started from scratch but made it big in this hub of international business.

             The importance of this port visit can be understood by the fact that it gives the much-needed insight into practical realities of shipping and the working of ports. Also it is a real exposure to both national and international business, a great opportunity to compare the working styles ,both in India and abroad. This valuable exposure distinguishes an IIFTian from others in international business.

                                                                                                                Contributed By
                                                                                                                Amit Choudhury (MPIB 2001-03)
                                                                                                                With  inputs Prashant Chako & Manisha Jha