:: International Institute for Insurance and Finance ::

Report on Beijing (China) Visit – 18th July to 24th July 2009 for paper presentation at “APRIA Annual Conference” by Dr. Padmavathi. V Member of Faculty IIIF – Hyderaba
I wish to thank IIIF & ITM for sponsoring my trip to Beijing for attending and for paper presentation at the 13th annual conference of Asia-Pacific Risk and Insurance Association. (APRIA) 2009. The Conference is titled “Risk Management and Insurance in the post crisis time”. My presentation of the paper, “Costs of lapsation of Life Insurance Policies – A case study of LIC of India” was scheduled in the concurrent session of the conference on July 22nd, 2009 along with:

a)   Prof. Richard McMinn (Illinois State University, USA)
b)   Prof. Daniel Bauer (Georgia State University, USA)
c)   Prof. Fredrick Weber, (Ludwig University, Germany).
d)   and chaired by Prof. Tim Querry (New Mexico State University, U.S.A)

Click Here to View The Group Photo

The presentation was well received and appreciated by the academia. In fact the paper presented, was selected after 2 blind reviews under the supervision of Prof. William. H. Rabel (University of Alabama, U.S.A)

Incidentally, I have learnt from the happenings that the criteria for selection of a paper to be presented at the conference would be:

   Contemporary / current issues and problems of the Industry.
   Ideas and concepts to be innovative
   Related to a case study
   Not to be a ‘Copy-Paste’ material
   Idea may be small or big but should be original

Please note that I have used the occasion to popularize the names of IIIF & ITM as meaningful and serious institutions striving to impart Internationally acceptable Education and Research in the functional areas of Insurance, Risk Management, Finance & Management. Our brochures have also been circulated in the conference for basic acquaintance, among delegates coming from different countries. Number of enquires were forthcoming as a response, and with keen interest. To mention a few, Professors from

   Singapore College of Insurance
   Assumption University, Bangkok and Mr. Brian Lawrence, Managing Editor for the Journal of Risk Management & Insurance. Interest was evinced for Academic & Intellectual exchange programs with us.

More than 200 international delegates have attended the conference representing the cream of Academia in the areas Insurance & Risk Management. I have interacted with as many delegates as possible including the following:

a)   Dr. C K Hebber, Mangalore University, India
b)   Dr. Carole Bernard, University of Waterloo, Canada
c)   Prof. R Viadyanathan, IIM, Bangalore, India
d)   Mr. Ayander Saha, ICICI Prudential Strategic group.
e)   Prof. Angsana Channak, Assumption University, Bangkok.
f)   Dr. DevRaj, Mangalore University, India
g)   Prof. W Jean Kwon, St. John’s University, New York
h)   Prof. Michael Sherris, (Actuarial Studies) Australia

The academicians were willing to cooperate with us for meaningful exchange of Knowledge & Programs

I have met the students of Peking University who have volunteered in organizing the conference. They were very gratified in knowing our institute’s activities. I have also met Prof. Harold Skipper (Georgia State University, USA).

Among other things Mr. Skipper has enquired about the ‘Skipper Foundation’ proposed by us.

The positives / gains of attending such conferences are found to be:
a)   Refreshing the knowledge base of the faculty
b)   Enhancing the brand equity of our institutes.
c)   Identifying meaningful sources of International knowledge exchange through planned programs
d)   Increasing the confidence levels of our faculty, to present good research papers and to deliver globally accepted programs to our students.
e)   Drawing inspiration through academic interaction at the conference.

Any specific queries on the trip shall be presented on request.

Dr. Padmavathi. V
Member of Faculty
IIIF – Hyderabad