ICICI Manipal Academy of Banking and Insurance is a joint venture between the ICICI Bank and Manipal University. The Academy was inaugurated on 5 February 2008 and was set up to transform graduates into "smart bankers" in a year. It is a multi campus institution. The first two campuses have been established at Hyderabad and Bangalore. The Academy provides fully residential programmes to train selected probationary officers of the ICICI Bank. The thrust of training is to impart functional knowledge of general management and specialised knowledge of banking related subjects. Programme participants are put through a rigorous training, with emphasis on application of knowledge and overall development of personality. The training is supplemented with practical training in bank branches. Notable alumni * Nitya Prakash, Novelist