FORE School of Management: Transforming Students into Achievers

A FORE School of Management student’s journey of growth lasts beyond the two years spent in the programme. The journey begins here with the experience of the courses, corporate exposure, global exposure through immersion programme, campus life, extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, and peer interactions helps to groom the business leaders of tomorrow.

The focus on industry readiness has been reflected in many aspects: the placement track record, the career trajectories of our alumni, and FORE’s ranking of 31 among institutions of repute in GO (Graduation Outcome), which includes placement as one of the components, and 28 in TLR (Teaching, Learning, and Resources) within the popular and government released NIRF Ranking.

Competing to win

Participation in B-school competitions by Institute’s students is one aspect of the preparation for tomorrow’s battles. Here, FORE students have been showing remarkable resilience and tenacity borne out by their win record

B-school competitions are run at several prominent institutions across the country and involve a rigorous process by which teams from multiple Institutions compete in creating, presenting, and convincing juries about their entries. This involves translating theories and frameworks learned in the classroom into real-life contexts besides developing compelling presentation skills. Judges with extensive industry experience evaluate the presentations and put the teams through rigorous rounds of questioning, which help the teams to put out their best.

FORE’s students have been participating in several prominent competitions over the years and have come back with several laurels. In just the current academic year (2019-20), 31 FORE students have won various positions in competitions at prominent IIMs (Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Ranchi, Indore, and Lucknow), IITs (Kanpur, Bombay, and Roorkee) Symbiosis, IIFT, New Delhi and SRCC. These wins have helped the students to showcase their profiles for internships and later for placement season as well. In a few cases, these tangible achievements have helped students to expedite their placement significantly. Pragya Bhandari and Neha Singh won the Pinnacle Case Study Competition at IIT – Bombay in October 2018 and Manfest at IIM – Lucknow in November 2019 and also got PPO’s from top corporates.

Corporate connect is the key

In terms of placement track record, the quality focus of FORE is manifested in a higher median CTC and multiple job offers for students this year, on the back of consistent growth year on year. Apart from higher salary packages, there has been an improvement in diversity of recruiters as well.

Institute has successfully concluded the Final Placement process for the largest ever batch of 2017-19 in record time this year, with new corporate partners associating with the institution, reinstating the faith of the corporate in the institution. In terms of industry sectors, BFSI made up 38% of the total offers, followed by IT/ITES making 22% of the offers whereas M R & Consulting and FMCG/FMCD made up 12% and 13% of the offers respectively. Final Placements this year were both faster and better, which was manifested in a higher median CTC and multiple job offers for students. Apart from higher salary packages, there has been an improvement in diversity of recruiters as well. Over 110 recruiters visited the campus out of which 38 are new recruiters. Students received 12 international offers and 28 Pre Placement Offers (PPOs).

Let’s look at what goes into creating this environment that turns students into achievers.

Faculty as change makers

The delivery of quality across programmes depends on the excellent faculty, which is the backbone of the Institute. The core faculty numbers nearly 44 and is a dynamic mix of pure academicians and industry experts, with some transcending both domains. More than 90% have Ph.D. from IITs, IIMs, JNU, FMS, MDI-Gurgaon or a Foreign University and various Institutions of repute and More than 70% percent have corporate experience.

The basic thrust is on understanding the independent nature of organisational dynamics and its managerial implications. This shall help students acquire conceptual and analytical abilities required for appropriate decision making and their effective implementation. A number of generic learning outcomes related to the theme of corporate performance are specified which emphasise on the objectives listed above and link the various functional modules.

The instructional methodology comprises an optimum mix of lectures, classroom discussions, case studies, simulations, role-plays, group discussions, special sessions from professionals from industry and trade, management games, sensitivity training, management films, industrial visits, and industry interaction. Students are encouraged to present their case analysis through written case reports, individual or group presentations.

Global exposure

FORE’s international academic partners for student/faculty exchange and curriculum development include internationally renowned institutions such as ESC Rennes School of Business, France, ESCE International Business School, Paris, France, Vietnam National University – HCM- University of Law and Economics, Vietnam, Kathmandu University School of Management, Nepal, STI University, Yangon, Myanmar, University of California, Riverside (IEP), USA, University of Economics, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, Sweden, and European Institute for Asian Studies, Luxemburg.

FORE’s PGDM programmes include an International Immersion Program after Term-III. This provides our students with valuable international exposure. All full-time students at FORE attend a one week course at any one of our international partner institutions listed above, and this includes industrial and corporate visits at the chosen foreign location.

The campus and life on-campus

The FORE campus is completely geared for learning as well as unwinding after a grueling day in the classroom. Facilities include state of the art auditorium and meeting rooms, computer labs, classrooms with A/V and internet communication facilities, dining halls for the nourishment of body, and libraries for the nourishment of the mind. For recreation, our students have access to excellent sports facilities including Basket Ball, Table Tennis, Badminton and Chess. The FORE has set up a Sports and Cultural Division (FSCD) that aims to help students to achieve excellence by re-energizing them through regular sports events throughout the year. It encourages active participation of students along through team-work and provides a platform to display and develop their individual sporting skills. Sports events within the student body and with participation from other institutions have also been organised regularly by FSCD at FORE in Chess, Table Tennis, Football and Cricket, which encourage both sports and the sporting spirit.

Apart from everything else Institute has to offer, a vibrant Student Council helps young learners to hone their leadership, management, and mobilization skills, which support future entrepreneurs in diverse pursuits and initiatives. The Council’s activities are an integral part of the growth journey since all events and activities are independently managed by students. Students are encouraged to enhance their managerial, leadership and thinking skills through organizing a series of events throughout the year related to and outside of the curriculum. This aims at giving them the real-time experience of interacting with the corporate world, working in teams, planning and coordinating budgets, managing events and nurturing decision-making skills.

Alumni: what our achievers look like

The FORE Achiever Alumni network numbers 6,000+; 200+ are CEOs; 1,200+ alumni in senior positions; 700+ alumni working across the globe. Over time, around 20% of FSM alumni have transitioned into international roles, which is a testament to the abilities gained during their time here. Among the countries with substantial numbers, USA has 333 FSM alumni, Canada 114, UAE 110, UK 100, Singapore 84, and Australia 74 just mention a few.

Diversified Background of the Students

The other USP of FORE is the immense diversity in the class of 2019-21. The batch has representatives from 24+ states across India and has a healthy gender ratio with women representing 48% of the batch. This contributes to a dynamic learning environment where learning extends well beyond the classroom. In an increasingly diverse business environment, the two years our students spend here provide an excellent training ground for the realities they will face in their professional lives and careers.

A location with many advantages

Our corporate connect is facilitated by our location. We are at the Qutub Institutional Area, close to the heart of New Delhi. The location also gives its students unique advantages. They benefit from being right at the centre of the thriving services and manufacturing industries across NCR. This helps students to gain exposure through guest lectures and industry visits to reputable Indian and multi-national manufacturing and services firms. The location also makes access to internships and job interviews much easier.

Moreover, with other management institutes in the vicinity, the area is constantly buzzing with activity and a cohesive crowd of students

Programmes offered

Institute’s two-year full-time PGDM, PGDM – Financial Management (FM), PGDM – International Business (IB), 15 months full-time Executive PGDM Programme, and Full-Time Fellow Program in Management (FPM) help provide excellent exposure, global perspectives, and long-term career prospects to our students. The courses are AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) approved and PGDM and PGDM-IB programmes are accredited by NBA (National Board of Accreditation) and the Institute is accredited by SAQS.

About Author

Dr. Sanghamitra Buddhapriya has more than 21 years of experience in research, teaching, training and consulting. She received the prestigious Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowship and did her post-doctoral research from McMaster University, Canada. She has authored two books and published many research articles in referred national and international journals. Presently she is the Dean (Academics), Fore School of Management.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha