After MICA, SPJIMR, SPJGSM, Dubai and IIM Kashipur, how did FLAME University align with your plans as a leader in the higher education space in India?
Having spent 20+ years in the Business School space in India and the Middle East, I have an understanding of how business education has changed in the last two decades. I have a very definite and critical perspective about Higher Education in India, role of business schools and universities and what is lacking. A lot needs to be changed if we have to remain relevant. Business Schools have to re-think their own existence and disrupt from within rather than the industry having to force them. FLAME University is India’s first Liberal Education institution and now a premier University in that space. It is very unique in that it has four distinct schools and a fifth is in the offing. The multi-faculty university gives me tremendous scope to collaborate and innovate with other domains like Fine & Performing Arts, Psychology, Mathematics, Design & Digital. Stand-alone premier business schools are narrow and cannot impact a large audience, especially in undergraduate education. FLAME gives me that bandwidth to collaborate, co-create, and deliver unique educational programs for all stakeholders.
I want to redefine higher education in India and be a part of the set of people who will challenge the status quo and have the courage to change it. A large university like FLAME gives me that platform to expand my horizons and be a serious player in that revolution.
You have taught more than 10000+ students in your career and also have an immensely vast network in the corporate world. Will we see more Industry-Academia collaboration in the teaching pedagogy at FLAME School of Business?
That’s what I have earned in my life, a brilliant and amazing set of ex-students across all the top business schools in the last 20 years. Many have already visited the FLAME Campus and delivered talks. Whichever city I visit, I meet many of them and invite them to campus, request them for live projects and assignments for my current students.
I am also introducing them to my faculty colleagues so that they can collaborate towards case studies and consulting as well as modify the curriculum and make it much more relevant and cutting edge. They will also teach in courses with me and my faculty. Being in Pune helps as I can call them over weekends from Mumbai/Bangalore/Delhi. The same goes with my network in academia and industry. Many top professors are helping us in our conferences, workshops and faculty development programs. Corporate connections are helping in Live Projects, Summer Immersion and Final Placements too.
I am fortunate to receive their support in helping me build a unique and exciting business school for the years to come.