By Dr. Ananthapadhmanabh Achar, Director | 2018-10-09 07:21:17
Dr. Ananthapadhmanabh Achar,Director We discuss in the class- room, make them un-derstand the theory and then focus on practicing,” declares Dr. Ananthapad- hmanabh Achar, Director- Dept of Business Administration Sahyadri Col- lege of Engineering and Management. Explaining the important pedagogy of Sahyadri MBA, which is grounded on three pillars – classroom learning, self study and exposure to practice of management, he boasts of these as reasons for the institute’s fast track progress. According to AICTE, over three lakh students enrolled for MBA in 3,364 institutions across the country last year. However, the harsh reality is that only 10 percent of the total gradu- ates are employable which proves lack of formulation of various educational policies granting approval to institutes which lacks in infrastructure, facility and necessary learning methods. In order to survive this inevitable form of system, many private educational institutes have been functioning for a different way out retaining its limits under the same policies. Sahyadri MBA has been producing professionals not just employable but is managerial leaders by training. To elaborate further, Dr. Achar added that the teaching pedagogy divides itself into three; one-third to classroom learning, one-third in library association and one-third for industry interfaces. The main motive of the institute is to provide students with high quality managerial talent with a framework for success in a turbulent economic environment. “We focus more on understanding the practice of management involving industry requirements,” adds Dr. Achar. The MBA program offered by Sahyadri is intensive, integrated and provides an environment for students to work in groups, in a project oriented setting known as Project Based Learning, that develops and enhances communication, collaboration and teamwork. The institute distributes the syllabus and course material well before time for the student to have their own perception, thence the same is discussed in the classroom and application of the theory follows thereafter.
Taking pride in the institute’s learning pedagogy; the same is also regarded as the main reason for their laudable placement record. The Training and Placement Cell trains the students as per industry requirements and provide career opportunities for MBA students' available both in India and abroad. Interestingly, all faculty members are required to connect with at least five organizations for conducting placement in the campus thereby providing a chain of organizations recruiting their students every week. The cell organizes training in employability skill development, career counseling on pursuing higher studies in India and abroad and conduct Entrepreneurship Development Programs which encourages students to involve in more such ventures as a career. Three students have recently procured a micro enterprise which is commendable on the part of faculties as well as students proving a productive outcome for hard works done.Sahyadri has been known to have emerged as one of the most favored destination for corporate in hiring MBA graduates over the last five years. Reflecting quality of the professionals produced every year, students are paid a descent salary absorbed by some top notch organizations in the country such as KPMG, E& Y, GE Soft and UAE Exchange.With regular industry interaction programs, corporate guest lectures, industry visits has added to the holistic approach adopted by the institute. Along with the students, faculty members also enjoy the same kind of faculty development programs in various institutes such as IIM’s and training workshops to hone their teaching skills and method with an aim of overall growth inside the institute.
Speaking of the builders of the future professionals, the faculty members, Dr. Achar pinpoints the institutes focus on practice of management in a way with the incorporation of faculties having more industrial experiences is of concern. Out of 15 faculty members, nine of them have strong industrial academy and as such these experiences clearly bring the first hand experience from the industry and curate the students accordingly. Research activities are taking its own pace in the institute, with 15 PhD students and many research papers being published by the faculty members in various national and international journals of repute. Sahyadri holds a government sponsored research centre by the Government of Karnataka approved by VTU inside the campus attracting many sponsored research.
To gain exposure, the institute has collaborated with IIIT-Allahabad, Ghent University, Belgium for the student and faculty exchange program, summer school and R&D activities. Incorporation of real time experience, corporate interfaces and field assignment or consultancy project are some of the future plans of the institute.
Although the institute seeks to obtain an autonomous status this year following a NAAC accreditation, Dr. Achar mentions the need in taking the institute to a much higher level than it is now in near future and stay grounded to the vision for making Sahyadri as a centre of excellence in Management education. India being an open vessel of employment yet filled by many unskilled fresher’s, is in need of trained professionals, Sahyadri providing their own part to the growth.