1. How important is management education in Indiaand what are the factors affecting the demand formanagement education?

Management education plays a major role in the economic development. Though the business education in India has a long history the growth in business schools and business education increased after liberalization of the economy in 1990s'. The value of management education has not changed but the demand for management education in India is gradually decreasing in past 3-5years as most of the business schools have failed to focus on the much needed academic rigor, skill sets and attitude of the students sought after by the industry .

MBA program is soon going to face a lot of challenges and threats in coming 1-3 years. The challenge will be of differentiating themselves in innovation, engagement and impact. Hence, business schools face the challenges in terms of developing the right curriculum, getting quality faculty members, pedagogy the challenges, B-schools will find it difficult to attract and retain the students.

2. Are there any specific reasons for the number of MBA applicants being stagnant around two lakh?

It is very difficult to bring to a close that the number of applicants remained stagnant or fluctuated around two lakh because some students appear for GMAT, MAT,XAT, IBSAT, and each state conducts its own test to accommodate students in state universities. However the stagnation may be due to poor Infrastructure, inferior quality of faculty members, static curriculum, poor pedagogy, research without purpose, ineffective industry linkages and lack of internationalization.

3.What is the total number of student intake each year in the MBA program at IBS Hyderabad? What is the fee structure for the program (excluding hostel fee)?

At IBS the total intake in MBA program (flagship program) each year is 1100 and we have a total of 2200 students in both first year and second year. The program fee is Rs.6.10 lakh per annum.

4. What is the placement record at your campus for the batch of 2015?

The batch size was 860 and the number of offers received was 791 along with 11 international offers. The average annual package comes to Rs. 6.5 lakh. Next year we could attract 24 international MNCs for placements.

The demands are for Marketing and Financial Services function including some prominent sectors such as IT, Banking and Financial services.

Most of the business schools treat their students as their customers in the class rooms where as IBS Hyderabad follows a different pproach – for the school and students together industry is the customer

5.What is the mode of selection of students? Is there any change in the selection procedure? Is there any specific policy on gender and academic diversity to accommodate more female and non engineering students?

ICFAI conducts IBSAT (ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test), qualified students are called for group discussion and personal interview. Based on the overall performance the students are selected. There is no difference in selection criteria for 2016. Our campus represents a mini India, representing 29 states with a healthy demographic, academic and gender diversity. At present girls constitute 42 percent of the student enrollments.

6.How unique is the MBA program offered at IBS Hyderabad? Are there any plans to improve it further?

Most of the business schools treat their students as their customers in the class rooms whereas IBS Hyderabad follows a different approach – for the school and students together industry is the customer.

7.What differentiates IBS from other B-schools?

At IBS we adopt a unique TRICK method – Teaching, Research, Innovation & Institutional development, Community development and Knowledge sharing.

Teaching Aspects involves Case Pedagogy, continuous evaluation method, Simulations and Modeling and Term papers. Research Aspects involves Case research and applied research.

Innovation and Institutional development Aspects involves Syndicated Learning,Online Examinations,Comprehensive examination Focused approach towards over all development of students through Mentor mentee approach, Simulations and term papers and Strong Industry Institute partnership. We strongly believe in enhancing the student’s awareness on corporate social responsibility. Hence,we involve them in community development activities through our club activities and also let students read and present the summary of general management books to other students,there by enhancing knowledge of the students.

8. Are the peer reviewed journals indexed in international databases having western bias?

I do not think that the publications in peer reviewed Journals, as indexed in international databases have western bias (USA, UK). Institutes should create proper research culture by conducting workshops to the faculty members on research methodology, how to collect review of literature, how to identify suitable journals etc. The institutes also should introduce proper incentive policy for publishing in indexed journals of repute. They should motivate the faculty members to do quality PhD. by registering in well recognized institutes or universities that creates research culture.

9.What is your advice to MBA aspirants on how to select the right b-school?

The aspirants of B-School should undertake proper analysis before arriving at any decision rather than getting carried away by advertisements, blogs, etc. The best indicator whether a B-School is reputed or not, is the feedback from alumni and recruiters. The aspirants need to exercise due caution before selecting a B-School.