| | 8 AUGUST 2022HIGHERReviewINCREASING IMPORTANCE OF INCULCATING MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES IN MANAGEMENT EDUCATION Dr. Binoy Joseph, Principal, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences and Dean, Rajagiri Business School, in an exclusive interview with Higher Education Review magazine, shares his insights on the changing landscape of Indian MBA education and the growing importance of industry-centric learning.A 2021 study found that only 55 percent of Indian MBA holders are employable. In light of this, what is your opinion on the current management education landscape in India and what are the major pain-points that you see in this domain? At Rajagiri, we have around 97 percent placement. The major factors that can be attributed to this would be a) strong theoretical foundation, b) strong practical exposure, and c) strong research orientation. Our students conduct live projects, gain hands-on experience by working on consultancy projects, summer projects, and internships. Through these, we are aiming to develop their managerial competencies in terms of attitude, skills, and knowledge. If we are able to provide these competencies, then I am sure that students will be employable. Reputed educational institutions and popular online learning platforms are starting to roll out new and innovative online and hybrid MBA programs. How are conventional MBA institutions impacted by this?When it comes to online, hybrid and conventional MBAs, the differentiator lies in how you are able to enhance the competencies of the students in terms of attitude, skills and knowledge. With regard to attitude and skill, the offline MBA has an edge over online and blended form of MBA. In our MBA program, we have many immersive learning processes. For example, we have a unique initiative called `Vanavasam' where students are taken to remote areas for three days where they do an introspection using the `Johari Window' method. This helps the students enhance their self-consciousness. This cannot be done through online MBA programs. We also have a three-day outbound training program where all our students are sent for corporate training where they take part in team building, leadership skill development and many other outbound exercises. Other than that, our students conduct management fests where they are able to exhibit various management competencies and principles in organizing events. For example, we organize Inflore flagship management fest and also the Rajagiri National Business Quiz which is the best quizzing IN MY VIEWDr. Binoy Joseph
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