The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Toulouse Business School have signed an agreement to set up India's first Executive General Management Programme in Aerospace and Aviation Management as a first step towards collaborating in teaching and research. Airbus is supporting programme to develop and nurture local talent in the field of aerospace.

The partnership has been established to address the need to develop the next generation of aviation professionals in India.

Jacques Igalens, Dean, Toulouse Business School, said: "With the constantly evolving aviation landscape, the aviation industry needs world class leaders to anticipate trends and provide innovative solutions in today's fast changing and uncertain globalized markets. This programme truly aims at answering this need."

Professor Devanath Tirupati, Director In-charge of IIM Bangalore, said: "We are delighted we'll be offering the first Executive General Management Programme in Aerospace and Aviation Management in India and to be supported by world leaders Airbus and the Toulouse Business School. The students will also have the option of earning an Aerospace MBA degree from Toulouse Business School. We strongly feel that this will give the right skills and the best possible training for our next generation of aviation sector business leaders."

"India is one of the fastest developing countries in the aviation market and is also one of the richest talent pools for the next generation of business leaders and we want the best to enter the exciting world of aviation," said Dr. Dwarkanath Srinivasan, CEO of Airbus India. "With more than 500 million passengers flying each year in India, there is an increasing need for expertise in aviation business."