We have many academic-industry interface activities integrated with our curriculum, says Associate Dean-Academics

Experimentation and innovation are two crucial factors that help any institution stay abreast with the latest industry standards. And, these two factors are rigorously followed by Vivekanand Business School as the institute never stops experimenting with new ways of imparting a quality learning experience to students. Methods such as Flip-classooms, case-based learning, social projects, etc. are all a few examples to understand that the institute left no stone unturned to successfully achieve its aim. In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Associate Dean of Academics, Dr Neerja Kashive at VBS talks at length about various such initiatives.

Dr Kashive is a PhD degree holder from Mumbai University in employer branding with the title, "Impact of Employer and Employee branding on Organisational attractiveness and Firm performance in IT Sector in Mumbai". Her area of research focuses on employer branding, employer brand equity, internal branding, HRIS, technology in HR, and application of AI in HR.

Read the complete interview below

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

A: The teaching methodology adopted by us is very unique to any management institute. It includes:

• Flip classroom for two-way learning
• Case-based teaching
• Social project (Yuva for Seva) for sensitising students towards community work
• Business analytics subject offered as electives
• Managing self and managing others subject introduced in the first year
• Entrepreneurship courses offered in collaboration with Wadhwani Foundation

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

A: We have many academic-industry interface activities integrated with our curriculum which makes students ready for industry demands like

• Guest lecture for every subject from an industry expert
• Workshops for practical and application-based areas
• Certification courses from professional bodies
• Industry expert on Board of studies for formulating curriculum
• Alumni connect by Alumni Mentor program

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

A: The following qualities are seen in the applicants when they apply to our college

• Creative thinking
• Entrepreneur bend of mind
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Technical and functional skills

And, the above qualities only help them to perform throughout the curriculum.

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

A: We take a lot of inputs from industry experts in various activities such as:

• Designing course structure for PGDM
• Live projects for students for each subject
• Alignment of course from professional bodies like SHRM and NISM
• Summer internship project as per industry requirements.
• Industry research conducted by faculty and students

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

A: We are very receptive to new and upcoming technology and innovation as the following initiatives were taken up for our PGDM course:

• Business Analytics specialisation introduced
• Incubation cell is set up as per AICTE guidelines
• Entrepreneurship courses were offered in collaboration with Wadhwani Foundation
• Technology platform like Google classroom is adopted for our teaching
• Faculty are motivated to attend innovative pedagogy workshops