VJIM's Unique Approach to Experiential Learning Creates Industry Leaders, says Dr. Prof. Dammalapati Ravinath

In a fruitful conversation with Shiksha.com, Dr. Prof. Dammalapati Ravinath, Dean, Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management, Hyderabad says the institution focuses on bridging the gap between academics and industry, ensuring students are well-equipped for the professional world. The institute has strategic partnerships/associations with top companies like RSM, OM Logistics, and MSME. VJIM's unique approach to experiential learning—such as the Rural Immersion and Global Exchange programs—ensures that students gain practical, real-world exposure.

Dr. Prof. Dammalapati Ravinath is the Dean at Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management, Hyderabad (VJIM). He has more than three decades of work experience (industry and academics). He started his career with Sterlite Industries India Pvt. Ltd., Silvassa as a Commercial Trainee (Vedanta Group) and also worked in the UK. He later joined academics and worked with GITAM School of International Business, Visakhapatnam and Jaipuria Institute of Management, Indore. He offers courses on Marketing, Strategy, and Rural Marketing. He has organized international and national conferences and published papers in national and international journals. He is the Executive Member of Rural Marketing Association of India an alumnus of IIM - A and IIM – J. 

Q1. What are the three things that VJIM is doing that will enable it to differentiate itself from competition?  

• The college is engaged in building good relationships with industry for better tie-ups which will enable our students to get decent internships and placement opportunities. 

• VJIM has initiated and incorporated agreements with companies to offer programs which make them industry ready viz. RSM, OM Logistics, MSME, etc. 

• VJIM seeks to deliver experiential learning by involving students on Rural Immersion and Global Exchange programs which have been factored into the curriculum where everyone is made to go through it. This year we took all our students to AIT, Bangkok. This gives a different flair for B-School education. 

Q2. What are the top three initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry-ready? 

• Contemporary topics and courses are being offered by Companies viz. RSM, OM Logistics, MSME, FMLI, etc  

• We at VJIM are offering courses which would essentially have simulation factored in most of the courses for which there would have practical approach for a given situation and scenario. The industry would appreciate it if they are able apply this skill in their workplace. 

• We are steering our resources and garnering to the needs of industry by offering Professional Enhancement Courses which are offered by industry in every trimester. 

Q3. What are the key attributes that a student should have in order to  

• Qualify for your institution:  

They need to take a National Entrance Exam ex: CAT, MAT, XAT, etc. They need to have 60 per cent throughout their academics. They have to participate in a GD and PI round for final selection. 

• Get top grades in your institution:  

Be regular to college, have good academic record and be active in all activities that are organized by the institution. 

Q4. Which programme/s would you say is/are your best? What is it that helps VJIM differentiate itself for this programme?  

The courses that are offered at VJIM are in the domains of Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations & Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Agri-Business Management and Business Analytics. Our industry connections, dynamic student engagement and providing quality placement opportunities are the biggest differentiating factors 

Q5. What are you doing to improve/drive better campus placements for your current students and alumni? What kind of jobs routinely come to campus? What would you say are the key recruitment trends for VJIM (observed over the past five years)?  

We organize conclaves, business meets, and meet industry at their location. We have started working on a collaborative approach where the representatives from the industry offer courses and they select the students after the course completion and screening. Our Alumni are our asset and we are involved in most of our academic and non-academic activities. This helps VJIM prospect in getting internship and placement opportunities. Normally, Management Trainees / BDM / Analyst / Relationship management roles are hired. Many students are also offered positions in Strategy teams & Project management teams.