How GIM is addressing rising need for management skills in healthcare sector

The PGDM-Healthcare Management (HCM) programme offered at Goa Institute of Management (GIM) is one of the highly sought-after programmes by those who have a passion to pursue a management degree in this sector. This programme, which started in the year 2013, has gained a lot of momentum ever since. Currently, it is has positioned itself much ahead of any other healthcare management specialisation all over Asia.

Since, PGDM-HCM course is well-rounded, and suits the requirements of candidates from myriad backgrounds and pedigrees, it sees participation from students from various streams like Bachelors of Pharmacy, Bachelors in Biotechnology, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Commerce, Bachelors in Technology, Bachelors in Arts, and many more. Apart from being diverse in terms of the background of students, GIM also maintained a gender diversity with 68 per cent females and 32 per cent males in the batch of 2020 – 2022. The course also proffers a healthy ratio between people with and without work experience. For this batch, it was 11:15.

Apart from being diverse in terms of the background of students, GIM also maintained a gender diversity with 68 per cent females and 32 per cent males in the batch of 2020 – 2022.

The curriculum of this course has been designed particularly keeping in mind the recent trends and changes in the healthcare sector. Each subject is tailor-made to give the best learning experience to the students. Here, grades are not the only point of focus, but the overall learning and applicability is what the professors aim for. Subjects such as Healthcare Accounting, Managing Hospital Services, Public Health, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Principles of Epidemiology, Healthcare Operations Management, Machine Learning in Healthcare, Health Systems and Policy, etc., spread across six terms, makes sure that a student is well conversant about managing the nuances of the healthcare industry, thereby, evolving to become a responsible manager in the field of healthcare. As our tag line goes, #LearningNeverStopsAtGIM, knowledge is imparted even beyond the four walls of the classroom. Case studies, simulation games, interactions with the stalwarts of the industry, live projects, business seminars, lecture series by eminent personalities across diverse fields, are conducted frequently to enhance the knowledge of the students and hone their skills. These interactions help in understanding the healthcare sector and preparing for what awaits them once they graduate. Students collaborate on Markstrat in which they brainstorm and chalk out various marketing strategies and find out solutions of complications that arise.  In order to facilitate more interaction and provide the students with a hands-on experience of working in the industry even before graduating, a subject called ‘Know Your Healthcare Provider’ (KHYP) is incorporated in the curriculum throughout the first year. During these sessions, students visit various hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and medical devices manufacturing units, to gain an in-depth understanding about the inner workings of the various companies across all healthcare domains. For their final major project, students work under a particular company and carry out a thorough analysis of it. Even during these unprecedented pandemic times, the institution tried to educate the students virtually by showcasing hospitals, manufacturing units from and beyond the geographical frontiers of India.

The curriculum of this course has been designed particularly keeping in mind the recent trends and changes in the healthcare sector. Each subject is tailor-made to give the best learning experience to the students. Here, grades are not the only point of focus, but the overall learning and applicability is what the professors aim for.

As the mission of GIM is to create knowledge & nurture leaders for sustainable business and inclusive society for India and the world while maintaining a strong & ongoing commitment to Goa, students also are actively involved in 'Give Goa' initiatives in which they collaborate with various NGOs in Goa like El Sheddai, Dilasa, Human Touch Foundation, Sangath, etc., and help bring about in change in the lives of multiple people, promote the spirit of community, and social well-being. The course as a part of the curriculum helps the students to become socially sensitised by experiencing a variety of problems on the ground. We believe this assists in creating responsible and ethical managers in the future.

As the mission of GIM is to create knowledge & nurture leaders for sustainable business and inclusive society for India and the world while maintaining a strong & ongoing commitment to Goa, students also are actively involved in 'Give Goa' initiatives in which they collaborate with various NGOs and help bring about in change in the lives of multiple people

GIM boasts of a student-driven campus and placements too are handled by the student committee under the guidance of the Placement Chair. Over the years the PGDM- HCM has made a name for itself and has hosted the pioneers of the healthcare industry as a part of their ‘Industry Connect’ programme, wherein the students have real-time interaction with them and garner from their experiences which substitute the classroom learning and makes them ready for the corporate life.

As a part of the curriculum, the students take up an eight-week internship at the end of their third trimester. Multiple reputed companies recruit students for their summer internships. The 2018-20 batch achieved the highest stipend of Rs 1.6 lakh with 47 per cent students bagging summer internships in the medical device industry, 21 per cent in healthcare IT, 14 per cent in hospitals, 9 per cent in pharmaceuticals, 6 per cent in insurance and 3 per cent in consulting.

GIM boasts of a student-driven campus and placements too are handled by the student committee under the guidance of the Placement Chair. Over the years the PGDM- HCM has made a name for itself and has hosted the pioneers of the healthcare industry as a part of their ‘Industry Connect’ programme

The placements of the Healthcare Management programm have been burgeoning ever since the first batch, i.e. the batch of 2013- 2015. Since the inception of the programme, the batches have achieved 100 per cent placements, the highest package has risen by 116 per cent from 2015 to 2020 and the average has increased by 60.31 per cent from 2015 to 2020. This year, students have bagged placements with the highest being 25 LPA which is 8.7 per cent higher than the previous batch. In tandem to which a 50 per cent increase in the number of companies visiting from 27 companies in the 1st batch to 40 companies in the batch of 2020. The perpetual growth of the programme can be comprehended better with these stark figures. It will not be wrong to state that students have paved their way into the flourishing healthcare sector.

After the sun sets and students are done with their academic work, there are 25 clubs and societies for their rejuvenation, in which they can be a part of the core team, explore their talent, and pick up new interests. All the on-campus clubs and societies ensure that the students have a gala time and make loads of memories during their two-years stay on the campus. Since GIM houses students from myriad religious practices and beliefs, festivals such as Diwali, Lohri, Onam, Christmas, etc., are celebrated with great pomp and show by both the students and faculty members.

All the on-campus clubs and societies ensure that the students have a gala time and make loads of memories during their two-years stay on the campus. Since GIM houses students from myriad religious practices and beliefs, festivals such as Diwali, Lohri, Onam, Christmas, etc., are celebrated with great pomp

GIM's PGDM - Healthcare Management programme does not only educate students and sharpen their skills but, also provides a worthwhile holistic experience which each student will cherish for the days to come.

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of the institute and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha