JIMS,Kalkaji Director emphasizes the value of global trends on curriculum
Q1. What are the top challenges that you are currently working to solve for your institute this year?
Ans. We in JIMS are fully cognizant of the fact that the rapid trend of globalization and technological changes have made it difficult for organizations to survive in a competitive world. In order to combat the forces of change, organizations are looking for able managers and leaders who are innovative, have problem – solving skills and above all, a global mindset. It is this challenge of developing a truly global mindset in our students that we are currently addressing and in this regard have introduced two key initiatives:
– Redesign of curriculum to include global trends and perspectives with the aim of developing student competencies for dealing with global complexity, change and cultural diversity.
– Forging of collaborations with foreign universities / colleges in areas of student and faculty exchange programs as well as joint research projects. Such international exposure will help students to understand the global business environment and also undergo diverse multi-cultural experiences.
Q2. What according to you have been your most significant progress your institute has made in the last one year ?
Ans. The younger generation today is extremely talented, goal oriented and quite passionate in whatever they do. It is our endeavor, therefore, to maintain this passion for learning by innovating, experimenting and embracing the latest developments in industry at the national / international level. In the past year a significant achievement at JIMS, Kalkaji has been a comprehensive review of the existing PGDM curriculum. Our Board of Studies and Research and faculty members have kept in continual touch with the changing industry needs and have incorporated in the curriculum a number of core and elective subjects such as Business Analytics and Consulting, Marketing Products Abroad, Wealth and Private Equity Management, Building and Leading Global Teams, Human Resource and Cross – Cultural Management, E-Commerce etc. These initiatives are aimed at developing a whole new range of competencies / skill sets in our students which will make them future ready for the global business markets.
Q3. What are the qualities you look for in an applicant when short-listing for your final selection?
Ans. Like any top B-School we at JIMS look for certain experience sets and personal characteristics whilst recruiting students for our PGDM program. We endeavor to assess past academic performance and work experience, if any, as a part of the selection process. In terms of personal characteristics we opt for students who are open minded and collaborative and have the personality type to really want to learn from and help educate others. All in all we prefer students who emphasize a measure of energy and passion that really shows that they want a PGDM from our school rather than any other top school.
Q4. What according to you is the one progressive change that you would like to see in the management education scenario in the country today?
Ans. The changes triggered by forces of globalization, technology, workforce diversity and legislation have resulted in many a company looking to hire managers and leaders with right skill- sets to steer them through the uncertain and complex global environment . Accordingly, top B-Schools today need to change gears quickly and focus on enhancing the quality of their student intake. Simultaneous with the above they need to review and upgrade their curricula, pedagogy and faculty competencies to match world standards. We at JIMS try and ensure that our new admission has an excellent academic background and possesses good leadership potential. Transforming the new recruits to combat exacting industry problems / challenges through exercise of good leadership skills and business acumen is one of our key objectives.