Subject-oriented discussions are encouraged in the classrooms, says Raghavendra K of ABBS

Raghavendra K is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator in Department of Management-UG at Acharya Bangalore B School (ABBS). He holds PGDMM, MBA, MCom and BCom degrees. Having participated in various state and national seminars, Raghavendra K has been a guest speaker on “Corpoate Etiquette” at various events and a judge at many intercollegiate commerce festivals. At ABBS, he teaches modules on general management, accounting and finance. He is a question paper-setter for various autonomous colleges.

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, ABBS Assistant Professor Raghavendra K talks about course where students are groomed on major subjects, including accountancy, mathematics, statistics, English, etc. He also talks about industrial visits that bridge the gap between classroom theoretical training and practical learning in a real-life environment.

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

 A: We have adopted some unique teaching methodologies such as:

• Bridge course: The academic year always starts with the bridge course where students are groomed on major subjects, including accountancy, mathematics, statistics, and english, etc. Here students are brushed upon the basics of each subject and slow and quick learners are identified.
• Guest lectures: Apart from faculty teaching we ensure students get first-hand information about the present scenario in business for which we invite resource persons from industry who share their experiences and thoughts.
• Industrial visits: Industrial visit bridges the gap between classroom theoretical training and practical learning in a real-life environment. It provides an opportunity to students to ask questions related to their area of interest.
• Audio & Video tools: A class becomes lively when the concept of Audio-Video (AV) is used which helps students understand the concept better.
• Regular internal assessment tests: Students have to undergo two internal examinations in a semester so that the understanding capacity of students are known.
• Assignments and seminars: Subject-related research-oriented assignments would be given to students so that at a basic level they learn the concept of searching for information.
• Group discussions: Subject-oriented discussions are encouraged in the classroom where a topic relevant to the subject is discussed in detail.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be industry-ready?

A: We have implemented the following programmes along with curriculum:

• Regular industrial visits help students interact with executives of companies which enrich the knowledge of students.
• Entrepreneurship awareness programmes.
• Guest lectures by industry person during the semester enhance first-hand information to students.
• Students’ seminars conducted on recent research publication to improve presentation skills and updated with new research developments
• Engaging in in-house short term research projects
• Guiding students to write the article for their research publications
• Students are guided to do poster presentation in national and international conferences.
• Students are endorsed to get involved in workshops/seminars and do short term training programme in research institutes and companies.
• Students are allowed to participate in extracurricular activities/inter college competitions
• Pre-placement training helps students prepare to face the interview and get enrolled in different companies for future vacancies.
• Pre-placement training sessions, preparing for competitive exams and career guidance from experts.
• Sending them to internships.
• Add on certificate courses.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: Students should be innovative, enthusiastic, intellectual, dedicated, expressive, interactive, and thirst to gain subject knowledge and inquisitive thinking to get the recent updates in science and technology.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: The syllabus developed and updated by Bangalore University is further improved with value-added programmes to impart latest trends in business.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science and entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

A: We have developed eco-friendly campus with latest digital technology.

Some of the features are:

• Wi-Fi campus
• Specialised business lab
• TCSION ERP system for administrative as well as academic application
• Self-sufficient solar power generation
• Good infrastructure with well-equipped laboratory
• Class rooms with Audio/Visual equipment
• Well qualified faculties experienced in both industry and teaching
• Entrepreneurship awareness camp