We bring new opportunities for our students, says Executive Director SJIM

In a conversation with Shiksha, Director St. Joseph's Institute of Management - SJIM Rev Dr Manoj D'Souza talks about the ethics and pedagogy of the institute that prepare students for a better tomorrow. Dr D' Souza holds a Ph.D degree from Anna University and is currently heading General Management Department at St. Joseph Institute of Management.   

Q: What are the three things that your institute is doing that will enable it to differentiate itself from the competition?

A: Over the years, we have implemented certain best practices that have helped us grow. This has helped us move beyond our competition. Some of these best practices include:

• Imparting contextual management education that is focused on ethics and research from the year 1968 onwards. The faculty is highly qualified with many of them possessing several years of both industrial and teaching experience.
• Producing impactful research sought by the industry
• Employing a teaching pedagogy that promotes critical thinking, innovation & entrepreneurship in a campus that is centrally located on MG Road, Bangalore with the finest infrastructure

Q: What are the top three initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry ready?

A: We have designed our curriculum in a way that prepares students for tomorrow so they can face the corporates with confidence. The two-years’ curriculum includes:

• Periodic upgradation of syllabus and introduction of subjects and courses, that are tailored to address industry needs and requirements
• Industry Internship in the finest workplaces in various sectors
• Enhancement of presentation skills on business environment topics, toastmasters club, etc

Q: What are the key attributes that a student should have in order to

• Qualify for your institution
• Get top grades in your institution

A: To qualify for admissions, apart from fulfilling the eligibility criteria, students must have-

• Consistent academic performance
• Good scores in aptitude tests conducted by CAT, XAT, MAT, GMAT, ATMA and CMAT

And, for scoring good grades, one has to-

• Be consistent and hardworking in-class programmes and group assignments beyond the class
• Possess excellent awareness of external business climate

Q: Which programme/s would you say is/are your best? What is it that helps your institution differentiate itself from this programme?

A: We offer Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)-Dual Specialisation with all the major specialisations, including Finance, Marketing, HRM & Operations.

Q: 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 your college (observed over the past five years)?

A: A full-fledged placement department is in place and the team is in touch with corporates to always explore better and newer opportunities for our students. And, also the finest companies prefer our campus and the number of newer companies have always shown an upswing year on year.