Q 1. The last few years have transformed the global education and business landscape. What is the most critical challenge that the management of business schools is facing in the ‘new normal?
Ans. The rule book which governed the management education curriculum at business schools is being redrawn with an overarching influence of the technology disruption and big data driven analytics centricity in the past few years. Management priorities are no longer about hiring and retaining efficient staff or filling seats but about cultivating an education program that is deeply integrated with technology, transformation and analytics orientation. The new challenge is to create a more immersive and accessible format of learning that is future-ready, and sustainable with programs that enable students to be industry ready. The prime focus of Business Schools is to create Human Capital which is in sync with the expectations of Industry 4.0 and the upcoming expectation of Industry 5.0.
Q2. What is the most important mandate of the management team at a business school today?
Ans. The most important mandate for a business school is to ensure learning and development expectations of the students to prepare them for the future of work.. NMIMS mission is to be a global ‘Center of Excellence’ in management and technology by 2030. We are working towards this by crafting and delivering an industry aligned curriculum, creating linkages with the best institutes and industry players across the world to build on a global understanding of the business ecosystem for students. The institute is also equipped with the latest infrastructure and research facilities supported by an expert faculty. We have adopted an ‘Industry Collaborative’ approach which offers students first-hand insights from industry professionals and an unmatched curriculum that is reviewed through regular industry engagement. It is this determination and focus that has earned SBM, NMIMS University a place amongst the top 100 B-schools globally in the Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking (FT MiM) 2022.
Q3. What strategy is the management adopting in the current scenario to create and promote the business school as a credible brand?
Ans. Perhaps the most important policy to achieve a trusted brand image is through delivering impactful learning and development experience built on Assurance of learning. An effective management team and highly meritorious students is the first point of credibility of an institute. It is vital for B- schools to adopt a relevant and cutting edge curriculum, a technology driven pedagogical approach as a core strategy for living upto the brand promise. International partnerships are also an important aspect for Business Schools to build a global immersion for its students. NMIMS’ School of Business Management (SBM) offers learning opportunities for students with leading global institutes. NMIMS University is also one of the handful of institutes to provide an incubation center to support development of entrepreneurs and start-ups by offering high quality R&D infrastructure and expert faculty.
Q4. What are the key traits management looking for while recruiting faculty?
Ans. We have to understand that today business schools carry the extraordinary tasks of not only creating skilled managers but global leaders capable of delivering the transformational goals in an inclusive and sustainable way. Students today need to be equipped with new-age industry skills complimented by a deep sense of responsibility towards the society and planet. To cultivate such a group of talent requires academicians who carry industry experience but also recognise and are flexible to the changing business culture. They should have the zeal to encourage students to break away from traditional corporate roles to more innovative career models and develop crucial problem-solving skills. We proactively invite and engage with senior management executives and those serving on company boards. Over the years the faculty has contributed to research and published the papers in both National and International conferences. SBM, NMIMS University strongly believes in diversity and inclusion, one such indicator which is why you will find that we have been recognised for the highest number of women faculty across B-Schools mentioned in the top 100 FT MiM ranking.
Q5. How do you as a dean work towards improving the student experience with the school
Ans. Preparing our students to be Career Ready with cutting edge skills and competencies is the key mantra for SBM, NMIMS University. This objective drives our school to bring in cutting-edge curriculum content that help nurture students with new-age professional skills. The school has consistently maintained its ranking among the country’s top B-schools for over two decades because it has satisfied student expectations in terms of academic excellence, faculty capabilities, globally-benchmarked curriculum design, career development, and employability. Our school also imparts problem-solving and analytical skill-based exercises, communication development, and technology orientation through various workshops, student exchange programs, and research projects. Over the last three decades, top corporates have demonstrated tremendous confidence in SBM graduates. With over 800 companies, many of which are listed on the Fortune 500 and the Nifty 50 list, visiting our campus, SBM, NMIMS University has set a milestone with almost 100% placements. We also don’t aim to stop at only providing academic excellence but also go one step further in cultivating future entrepreneurs. SBM, NMIMS University is one of the handful of institutes to provide an incubation center to support development of entrepreneurs and start-ups by offering high quality R&D infrastructure and expert faculty.
