Dr. Nilesh Bhutada, Managing Trustee

PhD in Management, an MBA, Dr. Nilesh Bhutada is an alumnus of the prestigious Symbiosis Univer-sity. He is a respected academician and has been participating and contributing his innovative prac-tices and views in various conferences at interna-tional and national level. He holds a strategic advi-sory position in educational trusts. He is a refined person with vision of youth empowerment.

Dr. Manju Punia Chopra, Director

Director of International School of Management and Research, Pune, Dr. Manju Punia Chopra holds a vast experience in field of Education, Research and Corporate. PhD, MPhil, UGC NET and MTP in Finance, she is an alumnus of the prestigious IBS Hyderabad. Having guided around 1000 Manage-ment and MPhil candidates, she has published research articles in various international and na-tional referred journals. She is also in the editorial panel of three international journals, and an ac-tive member of CII.

The one word to define the business world could well be 'UNPREDICTABLE', where the management professionals are expected to possess qualities such as adaptability to different situations and ability to learn things fast. Here, the error that a number of institutes do is skipping to prepare students for life and rather prioritize on making them get a job. Transforming the way how most of the B-schools operates, International School of Management & Research (ISMR) highlights a focused management education, where students instilled with substantial skills, are trained to become employable. The students of ISMR are bestowed with the capability of never facing any job crunch, as they are not only groomed to be recruited in the campus placement, but are enabled to face the challenges thrown by life. ISMR B-School was established in 2007 under the leadership of Shri Jaikishanji Bhutada, Founder President of Shri Vighneshwara Education Society in Pune and since then have successfully generated multiple batches of graduates who are doing immensely well in their respective workplaces. The institute owing to its unique method of teaching and quality of education earned the 'Business School of the Year' Award at National Education Awards ­ 2017. Offering a two-year full-time PGDM (AICTE ap-proved) and MBA (affiliated to Pune University) course, the Institute enrolls students from almost all parts of the country allowing them to grow in a culturally rich environment. "Existing for 10 years now in the business educa-tion arena, ISMR goes out of its way and conducts several values added courses for the PGDM students," opines Dr. Nilesh Bhutada, Managing Trustee of ISMR B-School.

The faculty members of the institute who are highly research-oriented and like to keep themselves updated with the industry trends strive to deliver knowledge to the students using case studies, simulation games, and management development programmes, which is one of the many unique features of ISMR. Dr. Bhutada shares, "ISMR stands out from other B-Schools on the terms of its one-of-its-kind practices. We pay less emphasis on the course completion and more on the learning objectives". While the in-house faculty members teach the students till the second semester, the visiting faculty members, coming from various sectors of the industry, take the onus to handling the classes from third semester onwards when students opt for respective specializations.

An exclusive backward approach of Career and Skill Mapping process is adopted at ISMR, given which students are counseled right after their entrance in the institute regarding the types of profiles that exist in management jobs and the required skills sets of the same. "After students are explained on the profiles, they are left free to choose according to their interest followed by which they are guided to brush up the skills that are considered necessary for their dream job roles, till the end of their stay at the campus," elaborates Dr. Bhutada.

Prosper without any Limitation

In this journey of empowering the students to match up with a rapidly evolving economic and social global environment, ISMR has collaborated with numerous organizations like Confederation of Indian Industries, Global Talent Track, Bhushan Steel Ltd, Carraro India Ltd., Affinity Express, Universal Sompo India Ltd and many more for fulfilling diverse aims. "We are in the talks with various reputed industries in different sectors fro collaborating with them for up skilling and bringing out the best opportunities for our students," says Dr. Manju Punia Chopra, Director of ISMR B-School. The institute has included a coaching cell in the campus where students are assigned to an individual coach ensuring 360-degree training on personality development as well as skills front. Dr. Chopra adds, "ISMR leaves no such aspects which will make the students skillful. From erasing their communication issues to solving their professional or personal obstacles, we focus on everything". All these initiatives have been appreciated by National Education Conclave by awarding "Education Leader Award ­Excellence in Student Placements".

ISMR renders optimum training to the students by making a certain period of internship programme mandatory for both the PGDM and MBA students. Taking complete responsibility to guide the students on which organization to choose for an internship, ISMR also renders the students with a golden opportunity of a 7 days international study tour. Alongside, as ISMR believes in merit rather than reservation system, it acknowledges the meritorious students with a handsome amount of scholarship. "Research and entrepreneurship go hands in hands, as research promotes innovation and an innovative idea can give birth to a great entrepreneurial plan. And we have an avantgarde facility for both in our campus," mentions Dr. Chopra. With three incubation units to its credit, the institute motivates the students to take up the entrepreneurial route and also assist them in the ideation and im-plementation process along with getting funds, on account of which ISMR have tied-up with various VCs. Considered as a platform of excellence, ISMR assures a bright future to both students who have entrepreneurial aspirations and job preferences. The students of ISMR are recruited by top-notch companies like Universal Sompo India Ltd, S&P Global, Affinity Express, ICICI Bank, Eclerx, Sakal Media Ltd, Fujitsu India Ltd, Allstate India Ltd and so on. "Already in dialogue with various universities abroad, in future, we want to initiate student exchange programme and vision to being recognized as one of the premier management schools in the country," concludes Dr. Chopra.