Educating for Employability: Dr. Mehta on NMIMS ASMSOC’s Curriculum Development

In a candid conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr Minu Mehta, Dean and Professor at SVKM’s NMIMS Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce, Mumbai, India, shared insights into how institutions are aligning their curriculum with industry needs to prepare future-ready professionals. In this interview, Dr. Mehta shared how industry collaboration, curriculum innovation, and forward-looking strategies are shaping the educational experience for tomorrow’s business leaders. 

Dr Minu Mehta is Dean and Professor at SVKM’s NMIMS Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce, Mumbai, India, one of the most coveted institutions imparting commerce and management education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. An academic leader with more than three decades of experience, Dr. Mehta holds a PhD in Economics and is a winner of several awards for teaching and research. A leadership trainer and TEDx speaker, she is the recipient of the prestigious AIMS Research and Innovation Fellowship of the Association of Indian Management Schools. Her research interests focus on entrepreneurship, particularly as viewed from the prism of gender, inclusion, and sustainability. 

Q1. How do you ensure the curriculum is industry-relevant in the growing environment of Commerce and Management? 

The curriculum is based on the current and future needs of the industry and other stakeholders. The program receives inputs from the Board of Studies comprising of Senior Industry professionals, leaders from industry, Senior Alumni, and Academicians from reputed institutions. This ensures that the program effectively bridges that gap between Industry and academics. Continuous review of the program structure and curriculum helps to maintain currency. Interaction with industry experts and corporate leaders through guest sessions and workshops helps our students to receive a practitioner’s perspective. A sharp focus on analytics and research gives our students an edge over competition. 

Q2. How do you make sure students are gaining industry exposure with theoretical knowledge? 

Each course at ASMSOC embeds industry exposure with strong theoretical and conceptual knowledge through Guest lectures, Field projects, OCAC (Out of Class Academic Collaboration), Case-studies, internships, and Industry research. We provide a number of opportunities to the students to interface with the industry.  

Q3. What scholarship options are available, and what do you look for in scholarship applicants? 

Scholarships are need-based and on case-to-case basis. 

ASMSOC offers a range of programs, including BBA, BSc Finance, and BCom (Hons). How do these programs cater to the diverse interests and career goals of students? 

The very purpose of having different programmes is to cater to diverse interest areas of the students. Each programme is distinct and unique in its domain. BBA is a general management programme offering the students exposure to each facet of Management. BSc Finance is a specialised programme in Quantitative Finance. BCom provides the students specialised training in the areas of Accounting, Taxation, Audit and Trade. 

Q4. Are there plans to introduce new courses or specialisations in commerce and finance? 

Yes, new courses will be introduced as the industry evolves. Courses related to AI, Fintech, and new Analytical Models and other contemporary courses will be incorporated in the curriculum.  

Q5. What is your vision for the growth of the Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce in the coming years? 

ASMSOC is committed to academic excellence and innovation. As leaders in Commerce and Business Education, we aim to provide a cutting-edge curriculum to our students and make them future-ready.   

Q6. With the changing business environment, how is the Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce preparing their students? 

 The Curriculum is contemporary and industry-relevant; the program provides experiential learning, simulation, industry projects, corporate internships, skill development workshops, and industry visits. We provide ample opportunities for the holistic development of the students.  

Q7. How is ASMSOC partnering with industry leaders to ensure internship and placement opportunities for students? 

ASMSOC provides a strong industry interface to the students through live projects, industry research, internships, and guest sessions. Our students are encouraged to publish their industry research and receive mentoring from corporate leaders as well as our alumni. We have a dedicated Corporate Relations team that partners with industries and businesses across the country.  

 Q8. How do you measure the impact of value-based education on student development and institutional culture? 

At ASMSOC we provide holistic development to our students. We sensitise the students towards the society and community needs. Assessing the impact of value-based education includes observing shifts in student behaviour, emotional growth, and active involvement, using tools like surveys, reflections, and community engagement. Values are strongly embedded into the very culture of ASMSOC and practiced not only as rigorous academic courses like Environment Management, but also through a diverse range of student-driven activities organised by the clubs and associations. Social themes are the defining features of our established and popular cultural festivals and activities.  

 Q9. Your research spans topics like sustainable business practices and women's entrepreneurship. What drives your interest in these areas? 

We endeavour to sensitise our students on different aspects of privilege and responsibility through courses like  Green Finance, Environment, Society and Governance, and also through activities organized through our clubs like ENACTUS, Rotaract, and Student Responsibility Forum. Our students undertake projects related to livelihood creation and provision of business opportunities to the underprivileged entrepreneurs, including women. 

 Q9. What are the key evaluation criteria beyond academic scores? How much weight is given to creativity, initiative, or extracurriculars?  

At ASMSOC, we believe in holistic development and place a great emphasis on the co-curricular and extracurricular activities. All our students undertake a mandatory social impact internship and also contribute towards designing and implementing impactful interventions. In addition, there are a number of clubs and associations providing opportunities for talent development through drama, music, literary, sports, and technology.  

Q10. Do you believe in imparting knowledge that is not restricted to classrooms only? If yes, how? 

 The program blends both classroom and outbound activities such as immersion, internships, industry visits and inter-disciplinary courses.