The Higher Education Review

In India's vibrant tapestry of higher education, institutions often stand out for their academic prowess and commitment to grooming future leaders. Among these, the VIT-AP School of Business (VSB) shines brightly, embodying a dedication to holistic education, industry integration, and innovative pedagogy.

The VIT-AP University launched the VIT-AP School of Business (VSB) with a clear vision: We aim to establish a reputation as a pioneering business school on a global scale, fostering compassionate leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs while actively contributing to inclusive and sustainable development, VSB programs focus on contextually relevant programs and research, compassionate leadership development, collaborative international programs, integration of emerging technologies into the curriculum, industry-driven research and applied learning, inclusive and sustainable development, measuring impact and continuous improvement, social awareness, and systems thinking to equip students for success in a globalized world.

VSB empowers students to adapt to technological advancements, societal shifts, and economic fluctuations. Encouraged and prepared to take on leadership roles, VSB students are poised to shape innovative business models, organizational structures, and governance frameworks across diverse sectors, including business, government, education, and healthcare.

The VSB program curriculum is designed as per the NEP guidelines of the Govt. of India, which integrates the STEM curriculum with the Liberal Arts foundation.

Experiential Learning Emphasis
The higher education courses at VSB stand out for their unique blend of features tailored to prepare students for thriving careers in the dynamic business landscape. Firstly, the curriculum is meticulously crafted to align with industry needs, ensuring students are equipped with the contemporary knowledge and skills employers demand.

Secondly, emphasis on experiential learning through internships, industrial visits, case studies, and simulations allows students to translate theoretical knowledge into practical applications, fostering valuable industry exposure. Moreover, an interdisciplinary approach integrates diverse fields such as business, technology, and economics, enhancing students' problem-solving abilities.

Including partnerships with industry leaders and a global outlook enhances the learning journey, while robust career development resources prepare students for prosperous professional futures after graduation. Together, these unique features empower students to excel in today's competitive business world, paving the way for their success.

Furthermore, at VSB, prioritizing an ideal learning environment through contemporary infrastructure is paramount. “Our institution adheres to modern educational standards, which include cutting-edge classrooms with multimedia resources for interactive learning and advanced labs for practical applications.

The extensive library supports academic and research needs with print and electronic resources. Collaborative spaces foster teamwork, while spacious auditoriums host enriching seminars and workshops.

In addition, innovation hubs nurture entrepreneurial ventures and research. Most importantly, comfortable accommodation and robust IT infrastructure ensure seamless access to online resources. The business school is dedicated to the holistic development of its students within a modern academic framework," says Dr. Arunkumar Sivakumar, Dean in charge and Associate Professor at VIT-AP School of Business.

The academic partnerships with leading US and Australian Universities ensure a smooth transition to higher education in globally reputed universities abroad for the VSB students.

Alignment of Pedagogy with Industry Requirements
To maintain consistent quality among its faculty members, VSB employs various strategies. These include a rigorous recruitment process focusing on academic qualifications, teaching experience, research caliber, and industry expertise. Importance is placed on faculty members with advanced degrees and relevant certifications.

In addition, continuous professional development through training and workshops ensures that faculty stay updated. Regular performance evaluations and feedback mechanisms help maintain teaching standards. New faculty members receive mentoring and support, while recognition and rewards incentivize excellence.

Additionally, faculty members are encouraged to do industry-related research and given support for attending conferences both within India and abroad, which fosters global networking and idea exchange. These practices collectively uphold academic excellence and student success.

The students at VSB actively engage in various workshops, seminars, research projects, and training/internship activities to enrich their experiential learning experience and prepare them for successful careers. By collaborating with world-leading universities, students are exposed to a global perspective, a continuous feedback loop is implemented for quality enhancement and assessment among students and faculty members, and a lifelong learning culture is practiced.

These include professional industry workshops on marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and other management domains. VSB also offers skills development, career development, corporate readiness, corporate etiquette, and financial literacy workshops. Mandatory internship programs offer hands-on experience, while industry visits provide exposure to corporate environments. Research conferences allow students to present their findings,

and industry-recognized professional certification programs offer additional credentials relevant to their field. These diverse activities collectively contribute to the holistic development of students at VSB.

To align its pedagogy with industry requirements, VSB engages in various strategic initiatives. VSB collaborates closely with industry partners to understand current trends and challenges. Regular interactions with industry professionals ensure curriculum development, relevance, and up-to-date content. As a practice, the school designs its curriculum in consultation with industry experts, periodically reviewing and updating it to reflect changes in the business environment. Guest lectures, workshops, and industry-relevant assessments further enrich the learning experience. By integrating technology and offering professional development opportunities, VSB ensures graduates are well-prepared for the dynamic business landscape.

”The higher education courses at VSB stand out for their unique blend of features tailored to prepare students for thriving careers in the dynamic business landscape”

VSB has integrated emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and virtual reality into its teaching methods and in various specializations like Digital Marketing, Business Analytics, Fintech, and General Management. Combining traditional and online instruction, blended learning models offer flexibility and personalized learning.

Enhanced experiential learning opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and entrepreneurship initiatives prepare students for future challenges. Moreover, a focus on sustainability and social responsibility is incorporated into the curriculum. Continuous professional development for faculty and improved student support services will ensure a holistic approach to education, enhancing the quality of learning at VSB.

In conclusion, VIT-AP School of Business (VSB) is committed to attaining academic distinction, nurturing innovation, and empowering students to navigate the dynamic challenges of the business world in today's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. By offering a curriculum tailored to industry demands, leveraging experienced faculty, and prioritizing experiential learning, VSB ensures that students graduate equipped with the requisite expertise and skills to excel in their chosen careers.

Dr. Arunkumar Sivakumar, Dean & Associate Professor
Dr. Arunkumar Sivakumar, is the Dean and Associate Professor at VIT-AP University, Andhra Pradesh, with over 23 years of international experience in Management Education. He specializes in Marketing Management, Strategic Management, and Research Methodology, with extensive expertise in SPSS and AMOS for research projects. Dr. Arunkumar is also a research supervisor for Ph.D. scholars and has published in prestigious journals listed in SCOPUS and SSCI, while actively contributing to curriculum development and workshops in India and abroad.