The Higher Education Review

The alarming growth of the banking and financial sector in this competitive era has opened up varied career roles. Starting from Financial and Business Analytics to Asset Management, Investment Banking, Risk and Credit Management, today the students have numerous options to choose.Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance (SSBF), a business school exclusively dealing with banking and finance education has been training students accordingly with its understanding of the nuances of the sector. “A general MBA focuses on conventional management skills along with specialization like Marketing and HR.We stand different from other B - Schools in this regard.

Our MBA offers an in-depth knowledge, encompassing the multiple aspects of the BFS industry,” states Dr. Manisha Ketkar, Director, Symbiosis School of Banking and Finance. The MBA in Banking and Finance of SSBF is designed with an objective to disseminate relevant knowledge and provide skills to students such that they function effectively in the challenging environment of the Banking and Finance sector.

“In our MBA programme, close to 70 percent of the courses are related to banking and finance. This allows us to focus more on honing skills necessary for the sector. In addition, we have mapped our courses with international universities to provide our students with an opportunity to spend a semester abroad, or attend summer schools at our partner universities,” adds Dr. Ketkar.

To Facilitate the Learning The faculty members of SSBF believe in providing knowledge that enables learners to develop their own thinking and facilitate their decision-making.Most of the faculty members of the institution are veterans from the Banking and Finance industry, who bring more than 20 years of experience to the classrooms and share it with learners who are soon to be associated with the industry. The teaching pedagogy involves discussion, presentations and case studies and bridges the gap between theoretical teaching and application.

“Bloomberg Terminal is extensively used by faculty members to bridge the gap between theory and practice,” pinpoints Dr. Ketkar. The assignments are designed in a way that encourages research skills amongst learners.

“We encourage students to undergo relevant certifications. Apart from academics, each student is a part of a committee like alumni, placement, corporate interface, public relations, cultural, to name a few,” says Dr. Ketkar. Throughout the academic year, the students participate in the activities of such committees and organise various events, which help them in a holistic development.

The tie-ups maintained by SSBF further help in facilitating the teaching. “We are educational partners to Bajaj Finserv, as a part of which they offer certification programmes in Banking, Finance and Insurance for fresh graduates and final year students who are seeking jobs after their graduation,” shares Dr. Ketkar. SSBF in association with experts from BajajFinserv has designed the curriculum and delivered the programme.

The institute has also collaborated with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to develop content for National University Students' Skill Development, a project initiated by TISS in 2013to increase the employability of the university students by imparting knowledge and skills. Dr. Ketkar adds, “We offer a choice for our students to join the Axis Advantage Programme. As a part of this MoU, the students are selected by Axis Bank would undergo a specialised tailored Summer Internship with them. Post the internship, the Axis Bank would hire our students for various roles.”SSBF has also collaborated with HDFC (AMC) to provide a focussed Summer Internship programme and has conducted training programmes for Bank of Maharashtra, Union Bank of India and YES Bank.

The recruiters around the country have found the SSBF students ready for the BFS sector with least training intervention. The students have been hired by Credit agencies like Care Ratings, S & P Capital IQ, and Banks like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, YES Bank, financial institutions like Ujjiwan Financial Services, JP Morganand PwC.“In 2010, SSBF was established to address the growing demand for trained workforce in the BSF Sector. At present, we get applications of aspirants from all parts of the country, with diverse backgrounds,” opines Dr. Ketkar.Now with the growing demand for trained personnel in BFS Sector, there is an immense scope for job enhancement and career growth. As the institute continues its journey, they wish to be a preferred destination for more recruiters and also for those who aspire to join BFS sector.