BITSoMs lines up a global faculty at par with the top IIMs

What attracts students to a particular B-school? Whether they are considering foreign institutions or Indian ones, amongst the major criteria they explore is the faculty.

The leading IIMs—Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, also known as ABC—all have the power to draw top minds to teach at these institutes. These are schools with the highest rankings and richest legacy, and it is no surprise that the faculty too is noted for its excellence. Professors often have real-world experience in international and national companies and financial institutions, or have conducted research in their fields and have undeniable expertise in their subjects. They might have degrees from premiere Indian and international B-schools themselves. Additionally, they can pass on their wisdom in an engaging and inspiring way.

For newer management schools, it can be a more difficult proposition to attract world class faculty without a track record of excellence already in place. But there is a new contender that has chosen a unique path to get around this problem. The BITS School of Management (BITSoM), has assembled a panel of enviable talent from across the globe to implement its curriculum using the innovative block teaching method.

For newer management schools, it can be a more difficult proposition to attract world class faculty without a track record of excellence already in place. But there is a new contender that has chosen a unique path to get around this problem.

To be rolled out in July 2021, leading international and national names will teach the founding class at the Mumbai-based institute over two to three-week blocks. It is a unique approach that hasn’t been attempted in India before and is known for the immersive, intensive experience it provides. Instead of many courses through the semester being taught in tandem, students will concentrate on one subject at a time, with several hours of instruction per day with the mentor and several more to complete projects and study without distraction. After which students appear for an assessment and then move on to the next course.

Some professors who will teach at BITSoM include:

• Nirmalya Kumar, Professor of Marketing, Singapore Management University, teaching Advanced Marketing Strategy
• Mark Finn, Clinical Professor of Accounting, Kellogg School of Management, teaching Financial Accounting and Decision-Making
• Dhananjay (Dan) Gode, Professor of Finance, NYU Stern School of Business, teaching Business Drivers For Industry
• Ziv Katlan, Adjunct Professor of Operations, Wharton School of Business, teaching Decision Models and Uncertainty
• Luis Martins, Professor of Management, the University of Texas at Austin, teaching Organizational Behaviour
• Rajagopalan Raghunathan, the University of Texas at Austin, teaching Consumer Behaviour
• Shamika Ravi, Former Director of Research, Brookings India, teaching Microeconomics

Not only does the block teaching model facilitate this high calibre of faculty by requiring their presence for only a few weeks of the year, but it also means the quality of faculty really counts. Learners will dedicate themselves to one course at a time, over a rigorous two-week period. With less than the best professors and mentors, this could be an exhausting and frustrating experience.

Additionally, this dynamic method of structuring the semester allows BITSoM to integrate several cutting-edge units, while older B-schools can be saddled with legacy courses that have less relevance. Design thinking, data analytics and entrepreneurship are just a few modules that they’ve included to respond to the needs of the workplace today.

The block teaching model and method have been in use for the past few decades in Europe, the US, Canada and Australia, but this is a first in India. With professors of stellar repute, it could be a promising path to getting the best business minds in the world to shape future global leaders.

Note: This article has been published on the basis of press communication by the college