Firebird Institute Of Research In Management: Redefining Industry-Integrated Learning Experience

By Dr S.K. Sundararaman, Managing Trustee

India is home to a wide range of finance management colleges that cater to the growing demand for skilled financial professionals. These institutions, including both public and private universities, offer specialized programs like MBA and PGDM with a focus on finance, equipping students with analytical, strategic, and leadership skills essential in the dynamic financial landscape. Leading institutions such as IIMs, XLRI, ISB, and others emphasize case-based learning, internships, and global exposure, fostering professionals ready to contribute to sectors such as banking, investment, fintech, and corporate finance.

Among the rising names in the field of management education is the Firebird Institute of Research in Management (FIRM). Conceived as a leadership development initiative by the Bannari Amman Spinning Mills and Shiva Texyarn Group, two renowned industrial entities with a legacy in textiles and innovation, FIRM was born out of a keen understanding of the persistent disconnect between academic learning and industry expectations. The founders, having observed this gap firsthand, envisioned a business school that would seamlessly bridge this divide.

Over the years, FIRM has grown into an AICTE-approved autonomous institution, offering contemporary Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programs. What sets FIRM apart is its strong focus on industry immersion, a curriculum that emphasizes practical corporate exposure, and a global perspective embedded in its pedagogy. The institute fosters a research-oriented culture, encouraging students to engage with real-world business problems through hands-on projects, internships, and mentorship from industry leaders. With a mission rooted in innovation and leadership, the institute continues to shape future-ready professionals poised to drive impact in the finance sector and beyond.

Redefining Finance Education for the Future

FIRM is reshaping management education in India with a transformative, industry-integrated approach. Established under the aegis of Bannari Amman Spinning Mills and Shiva Texyarn Group, FIRM bridges the gap between academic theory and business practice through an experiential learning model, 70 percent real-world exposure and 30 percent classroom learning, featuring daily internships and live projects throughout its two-year PGDM program.

The institute’s unique triad qualification model offers students an AICTE-approved PGDM, a one-month International MBA component at Multimedia University, Malaysia, and an industry-focused Post Graduate Program (PGP). Its globally oriented curriculum is enhanced through international mentors, cross-cultural learning, and case studies from consulting giants like McKinsey, BCG, and leading corporates such as Tata and Amazon.

The institute offers domain-specific specializations, with a strong emphasis on finance and emerging fields like FinTech, Business Analytics, Digital Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. The Finance Specialization combines foundational courses, Corporate Finance, Portfolio Management, Derivatives, and Behavioral Finance, with a forward-looking FinTech track, equipping students for roles in both traditional finance and digital financial services.

Integrated FinTech modules such as Digital Payments, Data Analytics in Finance, Blockchain, and Financial Innovation prepare students for careers as FinTech Consultants, Blockchain Analysts, and Compliance Managers. These courses emphasize digital disruption, real-time analytics, and legal-regulatory frameworks, ensuring graduates are industry-ready.

With personalized career mapping and immersive corporate engagement, FIRM produces future-ready professionals for roles such as Financial Analyst, Risk Analyst, and FinTech Strategist across global financial ecosystems. “Our finance curriculum combines daily internships, a summer placement, and live projects with top financial and fintech firms. Through real-world case studies on IPOs, market crashes, and M&As, students actively engage in investment decisions, financial modeling, and risk analysis, ensuring they don’t just learn finance, but live and practice it”, speaks Dr P. Srinivas Rao, Managing Director, FIRM.



Backed by over 100 industry partnerships, Firebird integrates real-time business learning through daily internships, live projects, and consulting assignments

A Global Platform for Industry-Ready Leadership

Firebird Institute of Research in Management stands out as a transformative business school offering globally aligned, industry-integrated education. A key highlight of the Firebird experience is its International MBA component at Multimedia University, Malaysia. This module includes intensive coursework in global finance, international marketing, and cross-cultural management. Students engage in hands-on learning through foreign exchange management, international trade laws, and cross-border financial transactions, enhanced by workshops led by Malaysian and ASEAN experts. Business tourism and industrial visits further help students understand complex financial strategies such as currency hedging and arbitrage across different regulatory environments.

traditional faculty, while the curriculum is overseen by a Board of Studies comprising experts from IIMs, IITs, and leading multinational companies. This ensures that the academic experience stays closely aligned with evolving industry needs.

Looking forward, FIRM’s strategic roadmap focuses on innovation and future-readiness. Key initiatives include deeper international collaborations across Asia-Pacific and Europe, the introduction of AI-integrated modules, and the development of an in-house Business Research Lab and Leadership Studio. A Digitized Learning Ecosystem, featuring avatar-based learning, simulations, and adaptive assessments, will further personalize student experiences. The institute is also embedding ESG and sustainability consulting into core modules and strengthening entrepreneurial incubation, supported by parent company Shiva Texyarn Ltd., part of the Bannari Amman Group.

More than a traditional management school, FIRM offers full scholarships for accommodation and meals, a unique Degree cum Certification program, global placement opportunities, and unmatched return on investment. With a strong industrial legacy and a forward-looking curriculum, it prepares students to become agile, globally competent business leaders.