Education technology has taken the world by storm and is now being incorporated into many university curriculums. Today, a joint venture between Herbalife India, a global health and wellness company, and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, has taken this a step further.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the two organizations have established a Center of Excellence for Direct Selling in Academics (CEDSA) at Shoolini University. This centre will integrate a specialisation in ‘Direct Selling Management’ into the MBA and BBA curriculums, beginning in the 2023-2024 academic session.
The direct selling industry has seen remarkable growth in India, with the World Federation of Direct Selling Association (WFDSA) reporting that the country moved up to 11th position in the global ranking for direct selling in 2020. This industry offers many individuals the chance to become entrepreneurs, providing them with personal and career development opportunities, and the ability to hone their leadership, sales, and other business skills.
Herbalife India’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Ajay Khanna, shared: “We are pleased to announce our partnership with University Shoolini. The signing of the MOU demonstrates our commitment to promoting a better comprehension of the direct selling industry. As the industry continues to increase in India, there is a pressing need for a structured program focused on direct selling in the business administration curriculum. This strategic partnership will equip students with the necessary abilities and perceptions to flourish in this dynamic industry and elevate the natural selling sector in India.”
Shoolini University’s Co-founder and President of Marketing and Innovation, Ashish Khosla, commented: “I am delighted to announce the formalisation of this exciting initiative between Shoolini University and Herbalife India. This cooperation marks a significant milestone in our commitment to fostering innovation, research, and holistic education. By joining forces with Herbalife, we aim to create a dynamic platform that combines academic expertise with industry insights, offering guidelines for unparalleled opportunities for growth and development in entrepreneurship, sales, and management.”
This initiative not only provides students with the necessary skills for the direct selling industry, but it also serves as an opportunity for teachers to become better informed about the industry and the available opportunities it provides. Herbalife India and Shoolini University are also looking to provide teaching modules to other academic institutions interested in incorporating Direct Selling into their curriculum.
This collaboration is a great example of how education technology can be used to allow students to learn about the direct selling industry and gain access to the necessary skills and resources for success.
