Need To Improve Ability To Attract The Best Faculty

SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) boasts of a unique pedagogy, with a strong element of non-classroom based experiential learning, and a faculty body with a mix of researchers and practitioners-turned-academics, which ensures that what is taught in the classrooms is current and relevant. In an email interview with BW’s PRIYA SARAF, RANJAN BANERJEE, Dean, SPJIMR discusses issues surrounding B-school education.

- Priya Saraf, Ranjan Banerjee

Why should students choose your school?

SPJIMR is one of India’s premier business schools. What sets us apart: Our unique pedagogy, with a strong element of nonclassroom-based experiential learning. Placements which are comparable with the top three IIMs. An admission process which lays stress on values and versatility, and ensures that the quality of the peer group is among the very best in India. A faculty body which has a mix of researchers-and-practitioners-turned-academics, which ensures that what is taught in our classrooms is current and relevant. An emphasis on teaching excellence which has been recognised nationally, which ensures that teaching quality is as good or better than any other institute in the country. A high degree of industry integration, location in India’s commercial capital.

An AIMA vision document says that India should be the second best global hub after the US for B-school education by 2025. Is it doable?

I would say that it is a stretch aspiration. It is a good target to shoot for. It will require nonlinear thinking and the willingness to go beyond models which merely follow the West.

Why do top Indian B-schools not figure in the top global B-school lists?

If you look at the QS global top 230, five Indian schools, IIMA, IIMB, IIMC, ISB and SPJIMR feature. We need to improve in research and the ability to attract the best faculty to academia.

How ready are Indian B-schools for Industrial Revolution 4.0?

Differs from school to school. We are doing a lot to keep our curriculum industry relevant, and are ahead of the B-school curve. However, scenario analysis is required to anticipate and plan for discontinuous futures.