The Times of India – Kanpur Dated: 5th February, 2015 Times Nation – Kanpur Edition

147 MBA-Schools shut during 2013-14 Latest figures released by the ALL INDIA COUNCIL FOR TECHNICAL EDUCATION –AICTE (NEW DELHI) shows that 147 standalone B-Schools offering MBA program across the country closed down in the last academic year, however the number of postgraduate diploma programmes in management institutes has dropped less from 606 to 600.

Why Institutes offering MBA degree are closing significantly in number Reasons for this state of affairs are as under:-

1. MBA curriculum not is sync with Industry requirements University syllabus and curriculum for the MBA is more like that of B Com, M com courses as many of the faculty are from Commerce stream. The syllabus in almost all cases is out of date by 5 years. Universities are ranking the affiliated MBA colleges based on the Academic Results.

2. Industry – Academic interactions only on papers

Most of the Industry- Academic Interactions are in paper only. Many institutions

may boast of few MOUs and conduct a few guest Lectures by corporate people.

But by and large there is big gap. B schools needs to update the syllabus in consultation with the corporate and must be in a position to conduct a course as appropriate for a particular industry or organization based on their inputs. Conferences & Seminars as organized by the institutes could possibly provide more evidence than MOUs

3. Massive Physical Infrastructure & Inadequate Intellectual Infrastructure

Most management want to get the return on their investments fast and as a result are heavily investing in creating massive physical infrastructure as the costs are escalating and there is always capital appreciation. Management should seriously invest in building intellectual infrastructure- the faculty. By personally meeting the director and interacting with faculty members one can have an idea for intellectual depth of the Institute

4. Lack of trained faculty for the various courses in the program

For teaching management subjects require faculty who have hands on experience in Industry and there is no substitute for that. Most of the faculty members do not have an impressive style of presenting and conducting themselves in the class effectively both PHYSICALLY (appearance –dress and body language). Most of the faculty prefer to spend their official time in doing their personal work and are unaware of the students needs.

5. Lack of appropriate methodology of imparting knowledge Teaching of professional subjects requires practical oriented teaching and learning methodologies and mere lectures are of NO use. What is needed is an activities based course that brings out the best from the student by the passionate faculty. Professional teaching requires individual commitment for learning and that is missing.

6. Attitude of the students Most of the students coming out of the institutions are having a perceptions that they will get a fat salary on acquiring the degree since they never know how exactly managers work. They day dream of a five digit salary and with all comforts of an air-conditioned office etc, but are not ready to put the effort to study the subject. Since it is a mark oriented, they study in the last minute and somehow make the desired marks. Almost anybody would pass with a first class in the current system. But more than mark oriented, students need to understand that their jobs are more market oriented and in business, the fundamental maxim is maximization of profits.

7. Basic skill in the students to become employable in the corporate world are

missing More than theoretical knowledge, students need to have the basic skills to begin with. It is tragic that many of our MBA students do not know how the fill a Demand Draft Form of a bank. Their general knowledge also requires lots of improvement as the students concentrate on syllabus

8. Lack of Confidence and Communication skills in the students

The Language Lab where students’ listens to American English or British English nor the English professors can be of great help in improving the communication skills as most of the communication problem are due to fear and lack of confidence. We are used to only negative comments and these have a profound effect in making the person lack in self confidence. Communication can improve only with constant practice of READING WRITING and LISTENING.

What my take from this article possibly could be:

1. Content is and will be the king –At Jagran Institute of Management we focus on students learning and NOT on delivering the lectures and notes. Faculty is encouraged to take out time to work on activities that allow students to explore, think and frame their inferences.

2. We inculcate PROFESSIONALISM a. Curriculum endorsed by Industry Experts b. Professional Grooming integral part of the PGDM program c. Interdisciplinary learning approach d. Give more importance to Learning than Lecturing e. Summer Internship, Live projects. f. Students & Faculty present papers and conduct Conferences and Seminars

We strongly believe that student’s personality should be groomed for the corporate culture

and all our efforts are directed in doing so leading to better placements

Please share your feedback with me in this regards