The Higher Education Review

Ensuring innovative educational opportunities and student support services that lead to holistic education, Mahatma Gandhi VidyaPeetha Trust envisions providing access to quality higher education at affordable fees to all, irrespective of the geographical background. In sync with this aim, and requirements of students from semi-urban and rural Bangalore in mind, Dayananda Sagar Business Academy (DSBA) was conceptualized and established in the year 2009 with the required permissions from the government of Karnataka. Graduate programs in Commerce, Business Administration and Computer Application affiliated to Bangalore University, were introduced in 2011 with a vision to become a centre of excellence in education, research & training and to produce citizens with values and exceptional leadership qualities to serve national and global needs.

Ensuring a Sustainable and Accessible Environment
DSBA is committed to fostering and nurturing personal and professional success through the development of critical thinking, effective communication, creativity and cultural awareness in a safe, accessible and affordable learning environment. It is the quality of life in the campus that provides for the well-being and overall development of the students, beyond the quality of education. The state-of-the-art facilities and spacious classrooms, seminar halls, labs and library provide the ideal and ambient educational atmosphere to the students. Sports, both indoor as well as outdoor, along with cultural and club activities are an integral part of the curriculum at DSBA.

"To ensure that the learning is more effective at DSBA, along with internship, project work and industry visits, we also provide students an opportunity to learn from academicians and experts from international universities. Global Captivation Program (GCP) provides students an opportunity to experience international standards in the learning and practice of management. Apart from focusing on classroom learning, holistic development of the student is ensured through Out Bound Training (OBT) which includes adventurous activities,

personal and team management, task orientation, managing student clubs and organizing competitions to boost student's confidence and abilities. A well-designed Pre-Placement training and add on certifications is icing on the cake," Dr. (Brig) Sandes, Principal.

The campus location and the pedagogy caters to the needs of both urban and rural populations. DSBA provides an environment to support and encourage student potentials by being guided by the principles of integrity, innovation, creativity, and quality. In addition to the university curriculum, Domain-specific certificate courses are also a part of students learning. Students are given the option to choose from a verity of courses like Advanced MS-Excel, Financial Modelling, Digital Marketing and Accounting for commerce and management. BCA students have a choice to pick from CompTia, Coral Draw, Pyton, Oracle and Data Analysis. Regular training on Aptitude skills, Logical reasoning, Mock interview, Group discussions, Communication and Presentation skills help students to get an edge over others.

Extra and co-curricular activities are embedded in the academics ensuring the overall development of students. DSBA shares campus with Dayananda Sagar Academy of Technology and Management, which offers various Engineering programs. This provides an opportunity to collaborate with engineering departments to develop and experiment with business ideas for technology products and services. Taking advantage of the vicinity to the Art of Living International Centre and the MoU signed with them, DSBA organizes many Vocational Training programs for students. Renewable resources management, Computer and Mobile repair, Agri-business management, Natural resources management are some of the areas covered as of now.

Offering a Contemporary and Contextual Curriculum
Being an affiliated institute, DSBA follows the Bangalore university curriculum. However, to enrich the student learning experience, several Add-on/certificate courses are given to students. Tally & Digital Marketing courses have been introduced in all programs & MOOC in B. Com program during the last 5 years. These add-on courses have benefitted and enhanced the students' career prospects. Students interested in pursuing a professional career like CA/CS/ICWA are given more than 300 hours of training. A high percentage of students have successfully completed their CPT and CS foundation examinations.

DSBA has established a network with many academic universities/institutes and non-academic organizations of national and international repute. These linkages help DSBA in designing and delivering sessions/workshops/training programs that are contemporary and contextual. DSBA has a Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and an e-cell named i3 (Inspire, Innovate and Incubate) which promotes entrepreneurial thinking among students. Apart from this, Dayananda Sagar University houses a state-of-the-art incubation center called DERBI which offers mentoring support to students of DSBA who wish to start their venture.

With a vision `To become a centre of excellence in education, research & training and to produce citizens with values and exceptional leadership qualities to serve national and global needs', DSBA is a signatory to UN PRME and has adopted the principles and framework of United Nations - Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) and has been involved in actions to realize PRME goals through various activities. NCC and NSS activities instill in our students, the much needed social awareness and values. Extension activities in conjunction with NGO's and other social organizations helps our students to develop leadership qualities and Emotional Intelligence. During the last five years, more than 30 guest lecture sessions and workshops are organized in the campus. These events have provided ample opportunities for the exchange of ideas and learnings. The institution is aiming to work on a few of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) from the 17 listed by the UN by partnering with the Art of Living Foundation. "DSBA networks with business organizations and academic institutes of repute, and provides students with an opportunity to learn from practitioners. DSBA also envisages offering Post-graduate and Research programs in business and management through the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Practice of Management. Gradually, in the next 5 years, DSBA would be an autonomous institution offering UG, PG and Doctoral programs in Business and Management," concludes Dr. (Brig) Sandes, Principal.

Dr. (Brig) Sandes, Principal
Dr. (Brig) Sandes, Principal, DSBA: It is Dr. Sandes' passion to strive for consistent improvement and constant innovation, and this is what has helped him to offer top-notch education and career advice to his students.