Students must be innovative in their own way: Subrata Paul, Director, Globsyn Business School

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India

15 Oct 2016, 07:16 am

Renowned business administrator, Subrata Paul, who has recently taken over as Director, Globsyn Business School, talks about his plans for the institute in an exclusive interview with IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh.

How has been your interaction with the students and the administration as a new director?

In my first one and a half months, I have met the members of the academic council, the faculty, students and staff. I find every one is full of energy, committed and aware about his/her responsibilities.

Do you think this energy is the USP of all B-schools, including Globsyn?

We cannot say that all B-schools are equally energised. There are a variety of B-schools, including good and bad ones. We are not yet at the top among B-schools but I must say that all at Globsyn have faith in themselves to become more successful.

Do you think Globsyn is playing a big role towards practical experience and something beyond education?

We provide academic rigour along with practical experience. All good schools will provide the academics, but we are teaching something beyond education.

We are trying to groom the students to become good managers and good human beings. We are making them more aware about society and its needs. We have a foundation called KYLF—Kalyani Youth Leadership Forum—where we bring them face to face with the underprivileged sections of the society and their needs.

By participating in the KYLF programmes, students not only fulfil the needs of our society, but also learn how to become good human beings. I think this programme would make our students ready to participate in “Corporate Social Responsibility” programmes being implemented in the corporate sector. It is a kind of ‘giving back to the society’ beyond business. These programmes can also lead to future social entrepreneurs.

Another area that we are focussing on beyond education is entrepreneurship. We are trying to create entrepreneurs...giving opportunities to students to go for startup businesses, after MBA. We have started a programme called 'Embryon' where students get an exposure to the issues and challenges of entrepreneurship beyond education.

We are trying to make the students realise the importance of parents in their lives. We have started a programme called 'Serendipity' in which students get a platform to discover their talents, and are able to connect with their parents by inviting them to their talent shows.

Do you think Globsyn's infrastructure is able to evince interest among students?

A good physical infrastructure always helps because anyone would feel more enthused in a good campus and will get the energy to do something in his/her own way. We also hold management conferences where faculties from within Globsyn and outside participate in world class facilities.

Do you think the market is ready to absorb the passouts from Globsyn?

We have an excellent placement record. We have nearly 100 per cent placements, not taking into account those who drop out of the placement process. We have been able to attract large corporates. We have formed partnerships with many corporates such as Vodafone, PwC and others wherein second-year students acquire the kind of knowledge and training required to work in these corporates. Our students are getting the appropriate training even before joining the market.

Therefore, they would pass out as readymade employees with experience and training. We have a corporate connect programme where 15 to 20 corporates turn up and share their experience in various specific areas of management.

What are the key areas you are trying to focus on as a director?

We are planning a few things, such as introducing cutting edge management development programmes (MDP), which can be two- to three-day programmes.

We are holding a joint MDP programme with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry where our own faculties will be joined by external faculties, including NRI faculties, especially from the US. The first programme will be held in November, and then there will be two programmes in a month.

In Kolkata, we are trying to provide high quality management education programmes. We also plan to hold joint programmes with international universities.

The Executive-PGDM is expected to be launched by March-April 2017 and we intend to make it a unique programme with experts from the industry and collaboration with foreign universities.

Can economically backward but talented students get an opportunity to study in Globsyn since the course fees are relatively high?

We are trying to address that. We do not have an answer right now, but we are looking into it.

Globsyn has recently got the Gurukul Award. How much do these awards matter to the institution?

The awards are useful. An award matters because it is one of the many factors that students usually look for…along with placement records, fees structure, faculty and the facilities.

Would you like to focus more on quality students than numbers?

We want to maintain a good balance. We have around 120 seats, so we are trying to fill those with reasonably good students. We want to take good students and create effective managers out of them.

Don't you think the benchmark may also get compromised for business?

We have a base standard that we follow. If we compromise on the quality of intake, then output will be affected, which in turn will affect the business next year.

What should be the ‘ratio’ of classroom to practical learning?

It should be 70 to 30. But if we consider our Beyond Education programmes, then we will find the ratio is even.

What will be your message to the management students?

The world will change in the next 20 to 30 years. India will become the third largest economy in terms of purchasing power after China and the US. The time has come for India to aim for the top. There will be plenty of opportunities. Management students must learn to be innovative in their own way. They must be tech-savvy, since technology is gaining importance. The students must get involved with the society and do something for it, and keep on learning.

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