"B-Schools Must Equip Students with High-impact Skills for Job Market Relevance & Leadership Roles"

In a freewheeling conversation with BW Businessworld’s Arjun Yadav, IMT Ghaziabad Director VISHAL TALWAR talks about the rise and importance of experiential learning, efforts towards fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and the strides made by the institution in being recognised globally

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What is the latest that you are picking up on the campuses of B-schools?

Multiple trends are emerging, both positive and challenging, requiring business schools to adapt and innovate. Expectations have significantly evolved in how education is delivered, how students engage in classrooms, and how curriculums are designed to benefit all students. This shift includes personalising learning experiences and making the curriculum more engaging to meet the needs of every student. Economic conditions, career outcomes, and placement scenarios also majorly shape business school strategies. B-schools currently face the challenge of integrating digital transformation into their curriculum. This includes not only introducing digital tools for smoother learning but also ensuring that students are taught to be both commercially savvy and technologically competent.

How are you seeing the evolution of experiential learning in management education?

Today students are oriented towards hands-on, practical learning. This trend is rooted in a desire for learning that goes beyond theoretical knowledge, incorporating real-world experiences and projects that allow students to engage directly with industry. We are integrating experiential learning through various methods such as case studies, simulations, gaming, and industry-relevant projects. This type of learning provides students with both conceptual foundations and practical experience, making their education more relevant to actual business environments. While experiential learning is widely embraced, it must be designed to meet the institution’s learning goals and outcomes, or else it risks being just a superficial experience.