BLP – BITSAA Leadership Programme provides the perfect platform for each and every BITSian to give back to Alma Mater. It is designed to identify and nurture the next generation of Leaders who will run BITSAA International and its projects. Since its inception, it has been very successful and the year 2014 – where the fourth edition of BLP kick started, the reception and enthusiasm showcased by BITSians across the world was encouraging.
With BITSAA’s primary objective to make it as the best networked alumni ecosystem in the world, BLP comes as a starting step to reach that goal. The entire BLP process was an amalgamation of the thoughts, ideas, efforts and support of numerous BITSAA volunteers, who successfully recruited those passionate alumni who can run this global organization efficiently.
The entire process of BLP 2014 was not a cake walk for the BITSAA team. Initially the planning for BLP process happened early in the year of 2014 with the involvement of various teams such as People strategy, Operations and Leadership teams. The planning was followed by communication to BITSians across the globe. Marketing and Communications teams helped in the overall publicity in reaching out to all BITSians with ease. Once when the initial communication was released, there were around 125 applications which were received for various positions, followed by the 3 step process:
- Candidate’s application Screening
- Interview by the specific team (Ops, Marketing, Fund raising, Technology etc.)
- Final Interview by the people’s Strategy team.
After the rigorous screening and interview process, a total of 43 candidates were handpicked and inducted into different groups in BITSAA. It was no less than a typical job interview.
Organizing an initiative of this volume is not easy without its own ups and downs. The BITSAA team did face some initial hurdles. “Excellent Participation and Interest, But we did face challenges in attracting interest for Technology and People Strategy teams” – says Nidhi Gurnani from BITSAA People’s Strategy Team.
Some of the feedbacks from the BLP 2014 admits –
“Great questions were asked as a part of the BLP 2014 applications attempting to capture each candidates overall profile”
“Interaction/Informal interviews with multiple senior team members, especially with whom the candidates are likely to work provided greater opportunity to connect with BITSians across the globe”
“Greater Flexibility in joining teams/roles that the candidates may apply based on one’s interest”
The candidates who joined in BLP 2014 truly demonstrated their passion to give back to BITS and take BITSAA to the pinnacle of success. The BITSAA Leadership Programme holds a promise of learning, volunteering, and lots of fun with giving back to our Alma mater and creating a strong network across the world with our larger BITSian family.
Do Keep a watch for the next BLP recruitment and join this invigorating team!!!