SUITED FOR CHANGE

Innovation and flexibility are the buzzwords for b-schools in these testing times

- ABHINAV SINGH

Every institute wants to stand out to attract the right students and the best recruit-ers; to carve a niche for itself and show that its students are able to get the most out of their course, particularly in a disrupted pandemic year. In the fiercely competitive b-school arena, where thousands of schools vie for their share of the pie, flexing is the need of the hour.

Take for example the 33-year-old Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB). It boasts of a variety of programmes and faculty strength and is successful in attracting new-age companies for placements. The institute claims to have had a smooth placement process this year, despite the pandemic, following last year’s 100 per cent placement in reputed companies.

“The teaching and learning environment at XIMB is not just to produce MBA graduates for the job market, but to develop a well-rounded professional ready to take on leadership roles,” said Reverend Paul Fernandes, vice-chancellor, XIMB. “The academic programmes are designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry on the one hand, and theory and practice on the other hand. We have always responded to the emerging order in the world of business and to the technology-led industrial revolution 4.0 by focusing on data analytics and Internet of Things (IoT). New courses have been introduced, such as design thinking of managers.”