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Fr P Christie is Director of LIBA (Loyola Institute of Business Administration). He has a long academic experience. He was visiting faculty member at several management institutes in India and abroad. Fr Christie is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma, the honour society for Collegiate Business Schools, USA. He specialises in the area of Decision Sciences.
In an interview with MBAUniverse.com, Fr Christie shares his insight into the changing MBA environment in India. He also talks on the general admission trends for 2012 and shares details on the admission process of LIBA.
Q: You have a long academic experience. How has been your academic journey?
A: My academic journey has been a rich learning experience. I have had the opportunity to interact with best minds in the world which helped me to understand the system, pedagogy, and culture of different countries.
The rapidly changing industry scenario in the globalized economy has definitely altered management education around the world – there is a greater focus on skill development, application orientation and the need for greater international perspective.
Q: What are your key learnings from your academic experience? How different is MBA education in India in comparison to international standard?
A: MBA education is a professional education and not a mere acquisition of another degree or certificate. The program has to be designed to train professionals and world class leaders; unfortunately most of our MBA programs particularly offered by universities are treated on par with other degree programs in Arts.
In India we need to realise that unless we continue to change, our programs become irrelevant and obsolete very quickly. It is equally applicable to every part of the world.
But, some of our B-School programmes are as good as those offered abroad; our IIMs are as good as the Ivy League schools in the US. But, we cannot generalize this statement about all B- schools, because of the mushrooming of business schools in India. However, in about 4000+ B-schools, we can say that 1 or 2 per cent are doing well. Due to the exponential growth in the number of B-Schools and depreciating quality in Tier-II, Tier-III B-Schools, most of the MBA programs have lost its lustre.
Q: What is the key transformation in management education in India in last 10-15 years?
A: There has been an ‘Internationalization’ of management programmes and therefore an enhancement of the quality in B-schools. Also, the increase in the number of IIMs and number of seats across IIMs has added to competition and hence the quality has also improved even amongst the top B-schools.
But, there is ‘too much control’ by the Government in this sector of education which is affecting freedom and autonomy of B-schools and hampering their growth.
Q: LIBA started its two-year full time MBA programme in 1995. What are the key milestones in the last 10 years?
A: We have come a long way; earlier it was more catering to the South but now it is recognised as one of the premier schools in India.
As of now, we have international linkages with more than two dozen Universities across all the six continents (unique feature). We also have more than dozen students who go abroad and a similar number of students coming to our campus to take classes. We also regularly get professors from abroad to teach, to collaborate in research.
We have got a 100 per cent placement record since inception of our institute.
We have created six centres of excellence – Business Ethics and Corporate Governance; Entrepreneurship; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Behavioural Science; Retail Management; Prof CK Prahalad centre for emerging India.
Our syllabus is constantly being updated to remain contemporary and application oriented with the objective of building global leaders.
Q: How do you see the job requirements and market needs changing in last 10 years in India? What are your new academic initiatives with respect to those changes?
A: At LIBA, there is a constant revision of the curriculum – this year we have totally revamped the curriculum to focus on skill development and forming world class leaders. Each of our trimesters has a two-day workshop on skill development such as creativity, negotiation skills.
We have given a lot of emphasis on ethics which is taught as core paper in the first year spread over two semesters. There is another paper which focuses on learning basics of business and marketing in rural areas.
Q: New IIMs have come up and other top institutes are also coming up with new campus. But number of MBA aspirants has shrunk in last 2-3 years and is reflected in the number of CAT takers. Do you think management education in India is passing through a rough patch? Why?
A: There are too many schools without clear focus resulting in the dilution of the MBA programme; as it was announced in the paper a couple of weeks, many schools will have to shut down at this rate of expansion without focusing on quality. However the schools which focus on ethics and quality of education will not have a problem.
Q: During admissions 2011 season many B-schools witnessed a shakeout. Do you see the scenario improving for 2012-14 admissions? What is the current trend in admission applications to LIBA?
A: The number of applications to LIBA like any other place has dipped slightly; however since we keep the deadline for sending applications after the CAT/XAT results are announced, we get quality aspirants. Also, the number of applicants outside south has increased which means that there is a greater awareness and greater interest for education at LIBA.
Q: The CAT exam got bigger this year, with institutions like FMS Delhi, IIT DMS scrapping their own exams and joining in. AICTE is launching the CMAT in 2012. What benefits do you see from this consolidation of MBA entrance exams?
A: It is beneficial for students to take one examination, as there is in the US - GMAT exam. However, the common exam should be valid and reliable.
Q: What are your key expectations from students who will join your B-School next year? What are the key qualities you are looking for in your students?
A: We look for candidates who have passion for learning and desire to excel in all they do. They should have clear focus and be highly motivated.
Candidates with work experience are preferable as they can easily connect what they learn in the class room.
Q: What is the number of seats for admissions 2012 for your flagship MBA programme? What will be the fee structure and admissions criteria for 2012?
A: We have total intake of 120 students. The total fee is around Rs 6 Lakh for two years. Admission to our institute is based on the overall performance of the candidate in CAT or XAT, GD and PI.
Q: Kindly share with us the placements details of year 2011? What were the key highlights?
A: We have got placed all our students in the last batch. The average salary offered to the batch stood at Rs 8.7 Lakh. Companies from across sectors participated in the campus placement.
Q: There is apprehension of yet another economic slowdown and MBA aspirants fear whether they would find a job after completion of their MBA course. What is your message to the MBA aspirants and students on this?
A: There should not be any problem, provided they prepare themselves better - they should take it as a challenge to prepare themselves better so that they can impress the prospective employers and develop ability to add value to the company they join.
There is always a dearth for quality students; we always hear from the companies that they have requirements, but are unable to get good candidates.
Also, MBA education is something that will always add value to the student. The perspectives that he or she will receive from the education in a good institute will only add to the overall value of the candidate.
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/5594/Interview-Fr-P-Christie-Director-LIBA
In an interview with MBAUniverse.com, Fr Christie shares his insight into the changing MBA environment in India. He also talks on the general admission trends for 2012 and shares details on the admission process of LIBA.
Q: You have a long academic experience. How has been your academic journey?
A: My academic journey has been a rich learning experience. I have had the opportunity to interact with best minds in the world which helped me to understand the system, pedagogy, and culture of different countries.
The rapidly changing industry scenario in the globalized economy has definitely altered management education around the world – there is a greater focus on skill development, application orientation and the need for greater international perspective.
Q: What are your key learnings from your academic experience? How different is MBA education in India in comparison to international standard?
A: MBA education is a professional education and not a mere acquisition of another degree or certificate. The program has to be designed to train professionals and world class leaders; unfortunately most of our MBA programs particularly offered by universities are treated on par with other degree programs in Arts.
In India we need to realise that unless we continue to change, our programs become irrelevant and obsolete very quickly. It is equally applicable to every part of the world.
But, some of our B-School programmes are as good as those offered abroad; our IIMs are as good as the Ivy League schools in the US. But, we cannot generalize this statement about all B- schools, because of the mushrooming of business schools in India. However, in about 4000+ B-schools, we can say that 1 or 2 per cent are doing well. Due to the exponential growth in the number of B-Schools and depreciating quality in Tier-II, Tier-III B-Schools, most of the MBA programs have lost its lustre.
Q: What is the key transformation in management education in India in last 10-15 years?
A: There has been an ‘Internationalization’ of management programmes and therefore an enhancement of the quality in B-schools. Also, the increase in the number of IIMs and number of seats across IIMs has added to competition and hence the quality has also improved even amongst the top B-schools.
But, there is ‘too much control’ by the Government in this sector of education which is affecting freedom and autonomy of B-schools and hampering their growth.
Q: LIBA started its two-year full time MBA programme in 1995. What are the key milestones in the last 10 years?
A: We have come a long way; earlier it was more catering to the South but now it is recognised as one of the premier schools in India.
As of now, we have international linkages with more than two dozen Universities across all the six continents (unique feature). We also have more than dozen students who go abroad and a similar number of students coming to our campus to take classes. We also regularly get professors from abroad to teach, to collaborate in research.
We have got a 100 per cent placement record since inception of our institute.
We have created six centres of excellence – Business Ethics and Corporate Governance; Entrepreneurship; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Behavioural Science; Retail Management; Prof CK Prahalad centre for emerging India.
Our syllabus is constantly being updated to remain contemporary and application oriented with the objective of building global leaders.
Q: How do you see the job requirements and market needs changing in last 10 years in India? What are your new academic initiatives with respect to those changes?
A: At LIBA, there is a constant revision of the curriculum – this year we have totally revamped the curriculum to focus on skill development and forming world class leaders. Each of our trimesters has a two-day workshop on skill development such as creativity, negotiation skills.
We have given a lot of emphasis on ethics which is taught as core paper in the first year spread over two semesters. There is another paper which focuses on learning basics of business and marketing in rural areas.
Q: New IIMs have come up and other top institutes are also coming up with new campus. But number of MBA aspirants has shrunk in last 2-3 years and is reflected in the number of CAT takers. Do you think management education in India is passing through a rough patch? Why?
A: There are too many schools without clear focus resulting in the dilution of the MBA programme; as it was announced in the paper a couple of weeks, many schools will have to shut down at this rate of expansion without focusing on quality. However the schools which focus on ethics and quality of education will not have a problem.
Q: During admissions 2011 season many B-schools witnessed a shakeout. Do you see the scenario improving for 2012-14 admissions? What is the current trend in admission applications to LIBA?
A: The number of applications to LIBA like any other place has dipped slightly; however since we keep the deadline for sending applications after the CAT/XAT results are announced, we get quality aspirants. Also, the number of applicants outside south has increased which means that there is a greater awareness and greater interest for education at LIBA.
Q: The CAT exam got bigger this year, with institutions like FMS Delhi, IIT DMS scrapping their own exams and joining in. AICTE is launching the CMAT in 2012. What benefits do you see from this consolidation of MBA entrance exams?
A: It is beneficial for students to take one examination, as there is in the US - GMAT exam. However, the common exam should be valid and reliable.
Q: What are your key expectations from students who will join your B-School next year? What are the key qualities you are looking for in your students?
A: We look for candidates who have passion for learning and desire to excel in all they do. They should have clear focus and be highly motivated.
Candidates with work experience are preferable as they can easily connect what they learn in the class room.
Q: What is the number of seats for admissions 2012 for your flagship MBA programme? What will be the fee structure and admissions criteria for 2012?
A: We have total intake of 120 students. The total fee is around Rs 6 Lakh for two years. Admission to our institute is based on the overall performance of the candidate in CAT or XAT, GD and PI.
Q: Kindly share with us the placements details of year 2011? What were the key highlights?
A: We have got placed all our students in the last batch. The average salary offered to the batch stood at Rs 8.7 Lakh. Companies from across sectors participated in the campus placement.
Q: There is apprehension of yet another economic slowdown and MBA aspirants fear whether they would find a job after completion of their MBA course. What is your message to the MBA aspirants and students on this?
A: There should not be any problem, provided they prepare themselves better - they should take it as a challenge to prepare themselves better so that they can impress the prospective employers and develop ability to add value to the company they join.
There is always a dearth for quality students; we always hear from the companies that they have requirements, but are unable to get good candidates.
Also, MBA education is something that will always add value to the student. The perspectives that he or she will receive from the education in a good institute will only add to the overall value of the candidate.
http://www.mbauniverse.com/article/id/5594/Interview-Fr-P-Christie-Director-LIBA
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