Startup Village CEO invited to US leadership programme

Kochi, May 2 (IANS) Sijo Kuruvilla George, chief executive officer of the Kochi Startup Village, has been invited to take part in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), conducted by the US Department of State to foster professional ties and mutual understanding with other countries.

George is the only Indian among a group of eight participants identified as potential leaders, who will take part in a three-week programme beginning next week.

The participants will meet their professional counterparts and visit US public and private sector organisations related to the project theme covering digital citizenship, social activism, public-private partnership and good governance.

"I see IVLP as a fantastic opportunity to observe the best practices in US governance and decision making, to meet experts and build professional and personal networks that I hope will help me serve the community better," said George.

Launched in 1940, the IVLP connects current and emerging foreign leaders around the world with their American counterparts.

Junior HRD Minister Shashi Tharoor was a former invitee to the programme.