Universally, the B-schools have been credited with delivering learning systems to provide the knowledge base and critical insights in trade, industry and business. Model building, case studies; role-play, scenario building, simulations, business games, etc. are used to make the process more dynamic and wholesome. Continuous dialogue and interaction are encouraged between the students and industry to develop familiarity with real life situations as well as networking. The aim is to minimise the corporate time and cost involved in internships and on-the-job training to shape their graduates conform to the highest standards of professionalism. A pipe dream or an empty slogan, is it?
The high expectations of industry obviously put great strain on students at the B-schools. In a matter of three or four short semesters they have to master the fundamentals of management as well as develop the art of relating the teachings to meet the business challenges. Past habit has to give way to understanding, experiencing and self-actualisation of the management inputs. However, by the time they have analysed and measured up to the complexities, they are often confronted with a paradigm shift caused by the unpredictable forces of the elusive market. This dynamism and volatility necessitate continuous modification and retooling of standard business applications. New formulae and innovative solutions have to be evolved and offered to students so as to smoothen their ultimate transition to professionalism.
Thus, the pursuit of innovation and creativity at the B-schools is a strategic response to the yearnings of the learners who are craving to seek their chosen place in management arena. Their struggle to attract the attention of the industry for giving them an opportunity to display their wares motivates them to develop their creative instincts. Sooner than later, they realise the leverage offered by the power of innovation and the fruits of such labour.
It certainly needs more input, a touch of earthly wisdom and realism to convert an idea into a concrete product or service. Even the process of scaling up a pilot to commercial reality is long and arduous. Moreover, the process of market acceptance and dominance is still more complicated and distant. The task of empowering the students to develop this capability is the critical challenge of management education.
Therefore the B-schools have the unenviable task of shaping the students to compose unheard melodies, dispel doubts and uncertainty to ride the phantom of competition. They have to generate the passion for excellence to trigger the creative processes of the students. This necessitates building up of a dynamic learning platform where one has to ‘keep running to be at the same place’. A whole new genre of management has therefore been scripted, where ‘A’ stands for ‘Attitude’, ‘B’ for ‘Basics‘ in management and ‘C’ for ‘Creativity.’ The rich rewards/enticements/accolades showered by industry on fresh management graduates, is proof enough of the success achieved by some B-schools in such effort.
However despite achieving the synergistic combination of the forces of creativity/innovation/passion in the B-school grads, there is an element of loss of confidence or self-doubt at both the poles. The employer and the prospective employee often find themselves separated by a chasm of uncertainty, owing to lack of mutual faith. While the former may doubt the latter’s capacity to stand up to the challenge of the market, the latter may be put off by the stringent corporate performance nor In either case, this mutual ambivalence vitiates the spirit and faith at the ‘temple of learning’. Frustrations apart, the lowering of morale causes a far deeper hurt and trauma than one can imagine. Therefore besides the strengthening of the knowledge base, there is a great need to shore up the mind power of the students to meet the business challenges.
In conclusion, I would humbly submit that the march to professionalism could be best described as a journey where success lies in seeking knowledge with passion while applying it with compassion and commitment. It is our endeavor to stand up to the divine message of Swami Vivekananda who exhorted our nation a century ago with the call,
Awake, Arise, Stop not till the goal is reached!
Uttishstha, Jagrita, Aggresar!
(* With due to the adaptation of Merchant of Venice)