Mysuru: Around 220 B-Schools had shut down in the last two years across the country including Delhi and Bengaluru and atleast 120 more are expected to wind up in the coming years, said B G Sangameshwara, Vice Chancellor, JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru.
Speaking during the third convocation of Bhavan’s Priyamvada Birla Institute of Management at its auditorium here on Saturday, Sangameshwara said, “With a focused government at the Centre which is reigning in many reformative measures making India a manufacturing hub and ensuring an inclusive economic growth, the demand for professional managers has increased manifold making management education more important than ever. Programmes like Jan Dhan Yojana, the financial inclusion programme, the Aadhaar, unique identity card scheme and a range of services that could be delivered via mobile phone or smartphone have increased the demand for professional managers. This makes one side of the coin brighter whereas on the other side darkness still looms over and that is an alarming issue of B-Schools and graduating students who shy away from keeping themselves abreast with the rising demands of the businesses.”“In a survey conducted by Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) Education Committee (AEC), it was noted that only 7 percent of the pass-outs from B-Schools are actually employable in India excepting graduates from elite schools like IIMs. India has at least 5,500 B-Schools functioning now and the unapproved institutes could make the number much higher. Around 220 B-Schools had shut down in the last two years across the country including Delhi and Bengaluru and atleast 120 more are expected to wind up in the coming years. The survey points out at the dismal education quality as a main reason for such figures. If one were to do an extensive brain storming, it should start from the policy making to building curriculums which are up to date with the current trends in the industry, frequent interactions with students, academia and the industry. There exists a complete disconnect between the industry and the B-Schools and it continued to churn out graduates with repetitive curriculum and outdated teaching methodologies”, added Sangameshwara.
“Under Trump rule in America, it is becoming a nightmare for Indians as well as numerous MNCs who have been hit badly due to unclear Visa policies and stress on local hiring. We are at the cusp of a revolution wherein the demands of the world are changing every minute. Each minute a new technology is born, a new innovation has fuelled its ignition. Therefore, as academicians we believe that business schools are at crossroads and will have to take a hard look at their value propositions. Gone are the days that an MBA/PGDM will earn you a fat cheque and a luxurious life. Today, businesses require leaders who can stitch the needs of the business along with the society around it. Therefore to brace up for such a change, B-Schools across the globe need to rethink on their strategies and curriculum. Programmes that incorporate flexible curriculums, courses in creative or integrative thinking, or experiential learning and project work have become the need of the hour”, pointed Sangameshwara.
On the occasion 24 students were awarded with two year PGDM programme. A R Karthik emerged as outstanding student with overall seven medals including the topper in the Institute, best boy student in international business and best students in retail management. S Sunita who won four medals emerged as the best girl student of the institute. Manisha J Kumar was awarded best student in Human Resource Management while Shaik Meharoon, Kamaljeet Kaur, R Harshitha and S Prathap were awarded best in computer application, best student in Indian Heritage, best student for leadership initiative and for starting Vanamahotsava celebration respectively.
