Since applying for accreditation by the Accreditation Councilfor Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) there’s been a ’magicalchange’ at SCMS says Dr. Bijoy Sahoo, Dean of the School ofBusiness at North Carolina Central University, U.S.A Dr. Sahoo, SCMS’smentor through the accreditation process, said on a recent visitto SCMS ’When I met the faculty I found them well qualified and verygood. They took pride in what they did. Individually they were self-aware. But, as a group they were not strong enough.’
‘However,while the accreditation process is in an advanced stage, now, I find thefaculty interacting more among themselves and moving as a team. That is amagical change. That is the way an institution becomes better. Many more thingsare happening now. I suggest that the faculty should go on continuouslyintrospecting, evaluating and examining, in terms of why they are doing whatthey are doing. It does not matter how good they are, there is a way how theycan be still better.’
Noting accreditationis not a management-driven process, but rather faculty driven, he said when thefaculty becomes accountable the quality of instruction rises, the curriculumimproves as does the learning, learning environment and the institution.
‘Consequently, the mba colleges inbangalore institution producesbetter educated and better prepared students for the industry,’ said Dr. Sahoo.’I have seen dramatic changes in schools that have used the accreditationprocess to their advantage.’In general, Dr. Sahoo sees the quality of businesseducation in India’s changing from being totally skill-based to blend ofskill-based and value-based.
The reason, he said, mba colleges in south is two-fold ‘ business has realized the needto become more socially responsible and secondly, ’industry expects thestudents they hire from the campuses to demonstrate their worth from day oneonwards. The companies want to make sure that they get the money’s worth. So,they are investing more in internships and contributing money to b. schools inorder to encourage better industry- business school collaboration.’
In today’s globalmarketplace, Dr. Sahoo said it is encouraging to see Indianprofessionals are getting increased recognition.’But, I think, more needs to beseen and evaluated in terms of the percentage of professionals who are doingwell, who are able to leave a mark in their field, and the transformation theyare able to bring in by way of business processing,’ he said.
As more businessprofessionals are being produced by b-schools, Dr. Sahoo said when there is nolonger a dearth of such professionals; quality will be a key issue when itcomes to hiring. And those changes to upgrade the quality of education arehappening in India today, he said ‘but, happening only in pockets. It is notevenly distributed.’
He noted he wasimpressed with SCMS from his first visit. ‘I was so impressed by the infrastructure andthe credibility. Everything kept spotless and well organised. I found thefaculty and the students to be professional. They dress professionally, talkprofessionally. And, my first reaction was ‘Wow.’
