NMIMS Bangalore & Hyderabad

Impact of COVID19 on NGOs and Social Enterprises 

The rising score of Covid-19 across the world implies that no single organization can work in isolation in responding to the pandemic and its consequential impacts. Hence, governments must collaborate with a wide range of agencies, including NGOs and social enterprises to facilitate behavioural change and build social cohesiveness. In India NITI Aayog appealed to over 92,000 NGOs to assist the government in identifying Covid-19 hotspots and delivering services to vulnerable groups. Much before the appeal came in NGOs and social enterprises across India stepped up to complement the efforts of the Indian Government by shifting their focus from their primary activities to providing relief measures.  

This shift coupled with COVID 19 crisis is likely to have an unintended impact on the functioning of developmental organizations in the near future. To examine this aspect the Jasani Centre of Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability Management, NMIMS conducted an online study on ‘Impact of COVID19 on NGOs and Social Enterprises’. 

The study was based on 30 NGOs, not for profit and for-profit social enterprises operating in Maharashtra. From this 43 % were from rural areas, 46 % from urban areas, and rest were operational in both urban and rural areas. The key priority areas of their interventions comprised of education, health, skill development, child welfare, economic empowerment of women, environmental conservation, rural & urban community development, and working with differently-abled. 

Contributions Made

With the changed context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a little over 90 % of NGOs and social enterprises have pivoted rapidly to respond to different and additional needs of local communities. Around 67 % of organizations were able to mobilize resources to provide relief measures. Social enterprises like Green India Initiative Pvt Ltd, Unity Group, Ecoexist, Srujna Charitable Trust, The Aangan Trust, Renovate India, Need Vikas Sanstha, Mann, Child Health Foundation, CCDT and Childline provided groceries and sanitation kits to people staying on streets, daily wage earners and migrants. Around 50 % of organizations in the study were found to be engaged in taking care of the basic requirements of the vulnerable communities. Some NGOs collaborated with government and corporates to avoid duplication of service and ensured that the essentials reach the affected communities. 

Besides the distribution of grocery, one-third of organizations were engaged in creating community awareness for personal hygiene, community sanitation, raising resources, providing important medical information to communities. For instance, Watawaran was engaged in disseminating information about the food distribution system and other schemes in simple languages in rural areas of Maharashtra. 

Organizations working in education in rural Maharashtra like Shivaji Rao Deshmukh Group of Institutes provided masks and sanitizers to government staff. Life Supporters Institute of Health Sciences (LIHS) is engaged in supporting Ambulance operators with designing SOPs for handling COVID19 patients and sanitization of the ambulance after the call. Childline coordinators also assisted government authorities to provide tele-counseling to suspected patients quarantined at homes. 

Impact 

 It is an undisputed fact that the development sector across the globe is facing a critical threat from the pandemic. But, in India as our NGOs and social enterprises lack contingency planning the impact would be felt more.  83% of organizations reported that due to COVID19 their organizations' work has been significantly impacted. Executives reported that the lockdown has impacted their project operations and they are sure of having financial challenges ahead. The financial and operational risk burden has fallen disproportionately on the NGOs and social enterprises. The implications of this for cash flows are critical at this time. A little more than one-third of executives stated that managing costs of running the organization, payment of staff salaries, early closure of projects, scaling down projects, delays in starting new projects are some of the many problems which social sector organizations will have to face now. Some are contemplating reducing the staff size, but that would be catastrophic to the organization. As their capacity to respond to both the immediate as well as long term needs which are likely to escalate as a result of this pandemic will be impacted.

Akhandjyoti Eye Hospital’s health operations were severely impacted as patients were unable to reach the hospital. Remote counseling of cases of child abuse and domestic violence was a big challenge for organizations like Arpan and Child Aid Foundation. Srujna’s livelihood support activities have been severely impacted and increased the economic vulnerability of poor women. Another important concern expressed by for-profit social enterprises like Awaaj, Ecoexist enterprises, Green India Initiative Pvt Ltd is related to business continuity and gaining market access as the spending patterns would now significantly differ. By and large, executives expressed that they are worried about the safety of their staff to work in slums and high-risk areas. Hence, a few organizations are now engaged in devising their service delivery strategy.  

The colossal economic downturn implies an impact on future aid assistance. More than 50 % of executives feared that they may experience a reduction in grant in aid support from the government as well as corporates due to funds getting diverted to COVID19 relief and rehabilitation activities. The economic crisis is expected to limit both capacity and availability of donors and investors. Development organizations will have to re-think and redesign their business model to diversify their income and create a sustained impact.

Expectations: Government

To enable NGOs and social enterprises to function effectively and address the challenges created by COVID19, respondents shared that there is a need for developing new ideas and innovative solutions in the area of health care, livelihood support, and provision of energy. These solutions can evolve through cross-sector collaboration between development organizations, government, and corporates. It was echoed by almost all respondents that governments at all levels can play a key role in promoting these  partnerships. 

Almost 80 % of the executives shared that governments should design an innovative financing model for NGOs and social enterprises. Proposed solutions include the provision of an anticipatory financing mechanism like the provision of soft loans to social enterprises to raise finance in advance to address immediate needs, establishing an NGO Liquidity Fund for enabling NGOs to cover overheads during critical periods and payback over a period of time. Additionally provision of tax relaxations and that of demand-led grant in aid support were recommended. As development organizations work in high-risk environments there is a need to design risk-sharing models so that   they will not be forced to shoulder the burden of financial risk all by themselves; rather it should be shared with donors/investors equally well.

NMIMS-NPAT Goes Online: The era of Exam from Home is here.

SVKM's NMIMS has been a thought leader in educational excellence by envisioning the future trends and implementing new-age learning methodology. The University has been at the forefront of cutting-edge higher education, with industry focussed programs and futuristic curriculum. In the wake of COVID-19, NMIMS has taken the required measures to move the NMIMS-NPAT exam online for the academic year 2020. This is a major step forward in a positive direction which goes beyond online classrooms. Students can now appear in the exam from the safety of their homes, with Online Proctored (OP) test. 

The deadline to submit application has been extended to 10th May 2020. The NMIMS-NPAT exam dates have also been postponed to 18th May 2020 and 22nd May 2020 from 9th & 10th of May, previously. 

A new era of digital examination: Organizations around the world quickly switched to work-from-home and soon schools and colleges followed with temporarily closing or switching to online lesson. But it was now time to think beyond lessons and gear up to conduct exams online as well. As education must go on and adapt to the changing times. Not just in curriculum but in method and preparedness for such unprecedented times. The era of Exam-from-Home has begun where aspirants will have an opportunity to simulate an online proctored (OP) test experience. This will commence through a mock test for which the University shall be communicating more information on policies and procedures, computer system, and other requirements. 

Ends.......

About the University:  SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) Deemed to be University is a multi-campus, multi-discipline University with world class infrastructure. It has been revered and acknowledged for excellence in academics, faculty, industry linkage, infrastructure, an illustrious alumni base, innovative curriculum and much more. NMIMS-NPAT 2020 is the entrance test to qualify for undergraduate & integrated degree programs across its constituent schools and campuses in Mumbai, Shirpur, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Indore and Dhule. Admissions are now open for the following undergraduate & integrated programs:  B.Tech; MBA Tech. (B.Tech. + MBA Tech.): B.Pharm. + MBA (Pharma Tech.): B.Des. (Humanising Technology);   BBA; B.Com (Hons.); B.Sc. Finance;  B.Sc. Economics;   B.A. (Hons.) Liberal Arts and BBA B......ng & Advertising.

Embracing the future: Every challenge is an opportunity to overcome it with newer solutions and approach. In education lies the answer for a better tomorrow and we’re ready to continue learning in the lockdown & beyond. We look forward to the post-COVID 19 world with increased digital learning and heightened practices for ensuring the safety of our students. NMIMS-NPAT 2020 Exam-From-home is the first step towards it, for you and us.

AACSB recognizes the Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management for "AACSB 2020 Innovations That Inspire Challenge".

AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) based out of Tampa Florida USA, the world's premier accreditation agency for business education globally has recognised and awarded 'AACSB 2020 Innovations That Inspire Challenge' to SVKM's NMIMS Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management (SBM's initiative). This award is accorded for recognising the School’s innovative ways of engaging with the stakeholders and bringing in their effective involvement and perspective in building the Entrepreneur and Family Business Program of the School. The School joins the prestigious fraternity of business schools worldwide like Case Western Reserve University, Weatherhead School of Management, Kellogg School of Management, and Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business.

The Program has carved out a niche space in the education sector by engaging with and being closely associated and becoming an integral part of their businesses and their families, says Prof. Seema Mahajan, Director of the School. During the last two decades, the School with the support and active engagement of stakeholders has strengthened the Program and emerged as the leader in the entrepreneurship and family business education domain. Prof Mahajan further adds that the School focuses on understanding the culture and value system of each family and then mentoring the GenNext to bring in transformation, diversification, and expansions and creation of New Venture.

The School started its journey as being part of the School of Business Management in 1999. The School, led by Prof Seema Mahajan, has developed a deep-rooted understanding of the said sector. We are very proud of the School receiving the AACSB award. 

The School with an Alumni base of 4000 plus spread across national and international markets and 400 plus entrepreneurs having businesses with revenue ranging from 30 Cr. to 3500 Cr. has emerged a leader in its own space and now as an independent School of the University. The School offers the following programs:

MBA: Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management (Full-time 2 years)

MBA: Entrepreneurship (Full-time 2 year's with incubation)

IMBA: Five years post 12th Schooling

Weekend FMBA: 32 weekends

About AACSB

The Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) is a global non-profit association that connects educators, students, and businesses to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. AACSB is synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916.

About NMIMS University

In 1981, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM) established the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) to meet the growing demand for management education. With the legacy of 39 years, NMIMS has grown to be not only one of the top-10 B-schools in India but also emerged as a multi-disciplinary, multi-campus University with 8 Campuses, 17 Schools and 9 Centres of Excellence. PDSE&FBM is one of the Schools which has developed expertise in Family Business and Entrepreneurship Management. The School has adopted an innovative methodology that involves building and strengthening academic initiatives, faculty orientation, parental involvement, alumni network participation, and optimum use of inter-school capabilities.

Study on Society’s Expectations from Business in Addressing COVID-19 Crisis

The COVID-19 outbreak is unprecedented in terms of its uncertainty. It has raised alarming health crisis and its impact has paralyzed the life of the people as well as the institutions across the world.  In the days ahead the world will be successful in bringing out a suitable vaccine to address COVID-19 and the threat will eventually fade, as it did with the other epidemics like Ebola, Zika, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). But the devastating effects of COVID-19 will last for a few years.

To read the full article click on the below link:

https://spandan.nmims.edu/2020/04/01/study-on-societys-expectations-from-business-in-addressing-covid-19-crisis/

 
Official NMIMS Page: https://www.pagalguy.com/colleges/narsee-monjee-institute-of-management-studies-nmims-mumbai  

NMIMS School of Business Management launches MBA (Entrepreneurship) program To foster a thriving society which creates jobs and value in the long run, it’s important that entrepreneurs get the right support and platform to flourish. Simply put, the need of the hour is to create an exquisite breed of entrepreneurs and this is where the newly launched program MBA (Entrepreneurship) comes into picture. It’s a 2 year Full-time MBA Program under Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management (SBM’s initiative) that focuses on equipping budding entrepreneurs with essential tools and precise vision. MBA (Entrepreneurship) is specifically designed for students who want to lead and manage business enterprises and also those who want to start their own ventures. This degree will help students to learn fundamentals and acquire skill sets that will prepare them from initial development of a business plan to financing a start-up and managing a growing business. The curriculum is designed to inspire students and executives who have the passion to drive their ideas and create economic value. Program Objectives: To create entrepreneurial opportunities through the invention, development and exploitation of new ideas, products and services. To inculcate among students entrepreneurial competencies covering goal setting, self-confidence, information seeking, problem solving and planned risk taking. To identify entrepreneurial opportunities that exist; understand untapped and unserved markets; also the application of technology to serve untapped markets. To provide personal counselling and mentoring to develop competent entrepreneurs and successful business executives of tomorrow. The MBA (Entrepreneurship) program comes under the purview of Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management (SBM’s initiative) which was established to assist family owned firms to be in line with professional organizations. Being pioneers in the segment for more than a decade, it understands the emerging needs of family run businesses in the growth and emergence of India as a strong nation. Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management is an initiative of ‘The School of Business Management’ (SBM) of SVKM’s NMIMS Deemed-to-be-University. The SBM offers executive education programs for professionals who want to make the key transition in their careers. The school aims to equip students with a wide range of management skills to help them navigate through the complex business environment of today. The MBA (Entrepreneurship) program will definitely help students find their own space to grow and excel. Program Structure: 2 Year Full-time duration Trimester I–IV: Class room learning Trimester V–VI: Project leading to Business Model development and implementation Idea Pitching and Funding assistance in Trimester VI (Angel Investors and Venture Capitalists will be involved) Mentoring support throughout the process with international exposure Students will be encouraged through In-house incubation to start their ventures through financial assistance from banks, angel investors and venture capitalists Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from Recognized University (Minimum 50% in Aggregate/Final Year) Good oral and written communication skills No business background required Important Dates: Registration Period: 26th Feb – 21st March, 2020 Written Test & Interview: 3rd & 4th April, 2020 Declaration of Merit List: 11th May, 2020 Course Commencement: 8th June, 2020