Q: From the business perspective, there is an argument that there still exists a lot of disconnect between industry and academia in India. What are your views on this?

According to NASSCOM, each year over 3 million graduates and post-graduates are added to the Indian workforce. However, of these only 25 percent of technical graduates and 10-15 percent of other graduates are considered employable by the corporate. As a result, we have a major bridge that needs to be filled with excellent education with strapping industry interface. It has become imperative to nurture and stimulate a competent, world class and innovative workforce for the industry. In response to these challenges, many companies today have intensified their academic interventions in order to tackle the impeding shortage of knowledge workers. Vice versa, the colleges have also geared up on the industry interface to enhance the overall development of the students.

Q: While Institutes declare having partnerships with international Universities and accreditation from foreign bodies, how much of a significant impact does it have in the classroom? Given the largely placement driven mindset of applicants, why should they consider these tie-ups to be important in their decision making process?

A partnership with International Universities does not only enhance classroom learning experience but overall value of the management education. Students get to explore different culture, get opportunity to work with researchers in related fields , exposure to diverse pedagogical tool and build ties with leading universities worldwide. International exposure and global awareness also helps students to enhance employability and networking opportunities.

Q: Have you witnessed any major change in the outlook of students towards a management degree in the last ten years?

Students today are more aware about Management studies compared to earlier times, thanks to social media and several web portals solving information asymmetry. Students now understand the significance of higher education and are concerned about learning outcomes, responsiveness, infrastructure, personality development, academics and placements too. Also, most of them have clear career paths and goals planned well in advance. All these changes are attributed to enhanced competition, more uncertainties in corporate culture & heightened urge to excel in global environment.

Q: How do you keep yourself updated on the research/developments in the field of your choice?

– Attending various National & International conferences/ seminars, presenting research papers & chairing technical sessions in the field of choice

– Responsibility as the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of IMS Group (listed in Cabell’s 11th Management Edition¸ USA), Chief Editor of International Journal of Customer Relations and having 50 publications in refereed International/National Journals have given the opportunities to explore broad areas

– Authoring six books on CRM & Retail with reputed publishers like Tata McGraw Hill has given insights to conceptualized frameworks aligned with “application”

– Currently involved in a project on Social Quality sponsored by IJSQ, China & academician from Louisiana State University, USA