In India the concept of executive higher education is yet to catch. University education is making comeback, but this time with a difference. The students are top managers and executives. They will again revisit those left campuses again. Companies want their top manager to be update with current market trends and should not be left behind.

The objective of these executive learning programs is to provide government and corporate executives with realistic, practical and leadership education. That is relevant to their personal and professional goals. Corporate worldwide believe that they can sharpen the mental horizon of their executives by sponsoring these programs.

Executive education programs help companies create a smarter workforce with high rate of technology absorption. These programs provide managers with lot of scope for growth. India market which is poised to be one of worlds biggest should not miss this opportunity. However the concept of university education and company sponsored programs yet to catch up in India.

While every corporation has its executive development program course, workshops and seminars, few also encourage their executive to take a break and go to B-school. Says Mathew, HR manager, The oberoi," Most of companies are not in position to send their executive and middle level managers to B-schools. There is a fear that they will return back to same organization or not.

Therefore in India companies look for shorter and more intense programs as compared to lengthy MBA or diploma. Companies also have the option of addressing only specific issues related to the business. Therefore the shorter and specific courses form some institutes is becoming more popular. However the instances of companies sponsoring the employ for long term course are very rare.

The choice of education platform depends upon the development needs and gaps in system. Companies require identifying these differences and selecting the right medium. However university education provides the employ with broader spectrum, which will be helpful in dealing with different situations. However it is cautioned that functional realities are some times different from but studied in campus. So the faculty should be more alive to these situations.

Experts believe a need for collaboration of corporate and education institutes to develop these courses. It is done then soon we will see top CEO mingling with nervous students at institutes. The process of learning is a never -ending one.