Ten steps by IBS to make students industry ready

The success of any B-School lies in preparing its students for industry. In this regard, ICFAI Business School, ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Hyderabad has consistently stayed ahead of most of the competition.  Here are some of the factors contributing to the efforts of IBS in making its students industry-ready.

• Case method of teaching
• Summer Internship program
• Role of Alumni
• Seminars and Guest lectures by Industry experts
• Contemporary courses and partnered programs
• Visiting faculty from industry
• Career Management Center
• International Immersion Programs
• Industry Visits
• Academic Advisory Committee

Case method of teaching

This method of teaching involves the study of real-life situations faced in the industry and deep discussion on the approach taken, its outcome and analysis. The students are exposed to a variety of issues faced by the industry. Students try to put themselves into the shoes of the decision-maker which helps them understand issues faced by managers. This helps in bridging the gap between the theoretical approach and practically handling such situations.

Summer Internship Program

The internship program is an integral part of the curriculum of IBS with close supervision from the faculty. This 14 week-long format gives enough exposure to students to learn, experience and tackle practical industry-related issues. Such efforts have strengthened IBS relationship with the industry and paved the way for pre-placement offers.

Role of Alumni

IBS has a growing alumni base of over 50,000 who are an integral part of over 1000 companies across India and abroad. The corporate success of IBS is an eloquent testament to their abilities, skills and hard work, resulting from the value and rigour of IBS business education. A large alumni network is one of IBS ' strengths. The alumni remain in contact with their alma mater through the IBS Alumni Federation (IBSAF) as well as through the former IBS students. This network also acts a strong point for IBS and its corporate relations

Seminars and Guest lectures

IBS often organises Industry interaction programs with a cross-section of professionals from various sectors and functional areas such as financial services, marketing, human resource management, operations, information technology etc. To facilitate regular job placements, IBS also organises a range of professional development seminars in collaboration with Industry leaders. Contemporary topics like Big Data Analytics and BlockChain are also covered by experienced professionals from the industry.

Contemporary courses and partnered programs

Because of the healthy industrial relations, IBS is well versed with Industrial requirements. Students are exposed to the latest body of knowledge through contemporary, market-oriented curriculum. IBS, in collaboration with several national and international organisations, is training its students in specialised areas such as information technology, business analysis and research. The partnerships include:

• Microsoft – IT Academy Program
• SAS – The power to know
• SPSS
• A joint certification program by HDFC which is helping students in placements.

Visiting faculty from industry

IBS recognises that the majority of contemporary and specialised courses are best managed by industry professionals with relevant field experience bringing their expertise to the classroom. This field expertise is of immense help to the students.  Therefore, wherever there is such a need, visiting faculty services are used.

Career Management Center (CMC)

The Career Management Center (CMC) has been set up by IBS to look after its students' placement activities throughout the year. CMC works under the overall leadership of a Faculty Manager who leads a group of industry-connected Corporate Relationship Executives, set up since 1995. CMC's main goal is to improve students' placement prospects.

CMC workers meet potential employers in various corporations and assess them with respect to the suitability for their business school's elusive talent. They have established mutually beneficial relationships in India and abroad with over 4000 companies. 

CMC also arranges preparation for soft skills, group discussions and mock interviews with industry professionals to assist in final placements. Through PACT (Placement Advisory Counselling and Training) Teams and with active collaboration with industry experts, students are administered specific skill development programs. This is a unique concept at all campuses of IBS.

Every year, IBS attracts the best of businesses and this trend continues. To order to ensure organizational success, students are given instruction for personality development and sensitised to the value of innovation and leadership as well as adaptability to the continuously evolving environment.

International Immersion Programs

IBS campus teams are regularly involved in international immersion events. It aims to offer the first-hand experience of business practices across different countries and to build regional and cross-cultural expertise among students.

Industry Visits

As part of corporate publicity, regular visits are arranged to manufacturing facilities, corporate offices and retail outlets for various courses. The main motive is that students will respond to the ideas during these visits and link back to the principles taught in classrooms, making the learning holistic. Students are also able to communicate with organisations' senior executives during such visits.

Academic Advisory Boards

IBS campuses have an advisory committee, consisting up of five active senior employees in the corporate sector, to meet once a semester together with Campus Head & Academic Coordinator to discuss various issues related to current market needs, improvements to be made in the curriculum and make it more flexible compared to other B-Schools.

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