Subir Verma, Director of FORE School of Management, New Delhi, states Indian business schools prioritize placements excessively. He argues this focus detracts from curriculum quality and real-world relevance for Indian businesses. Verma emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in management education, moving away from being “overtly placement-driven.”
Placement Focus Harms Education
Verma asserts business schools have become “placement agencies.” Their primary role is to educate and prepare students for the market, not solely to secure jobs. This “placement-driven” mindset influences academic choices, including electives, and compromises the depth of learning. Students often select courses based on perceived job demand, not genuine educational need. This approach creates a significant gap compared to comprehensive international management programs.
Rethinking Curriculum for India
Indian B-schools often rely on Western case studies, according to Verma. He advocates for teaching Indian business examples, like the trajectory of groups such as Future Group. This shift provides insights into the unique challenges of scaling and entrepreneurship within India. Understanding domestic company successes and struggles is crucial for future leaders.
Verma notes Indian entrepreneurs frequently sell or exit businesses early, partly due to resource constraints. This contrasts with Western companies possessing larger R&D and marketing budgets. He states schools must foster the creation of enduring brands. Leveraging India’s distinct context is essential for building a system that prepares students to lead globally.
General Management Over Specialization
Sector-specific MBAs pose risks for fresh graduates, Verma explained. He advises a general management MBA for those without prior work experience. Without practical exposure, students cannot truly know which sector suits them. A broad-based general MBA provides foundational skills, adaptability, and perspective. These elements are essential for long-term career growth, regardless of the chosen sector.
Case Studies Drive Real Learning
Management is a social science, not an engineering discipline, Verma stated. He views case studies as critical for practical learning and problem-solving. Case studies prompt critical thinking and teach students to analyze real business challenges. Examining what works and what fails in actual organizations offers deeper learning than theoretical articles. This approach bridges theory and practice, fostering exploration and innovation.
FORE School’s Approach to Modern Management
FORE School of Management adapts its programs for an AI-driven, data-centric world. Initiatives include international immersions to Europe and multilateral institutions like UNITAR. Industry practitioners actively participate as co-educators to link theory with practice. The school’s EAGER framework shapes graduates to be Entrepreneurial, Agile, Global-minded, Empathic, and Responsible leaders.
Verma highlighted FORE’s curriculum aligns with global competency frameworks from organizations like the World Economic Forum, McKinsey, and Deloitte. The school integrates AI, data analytics, and emerging technologies into its programs. Its location in Delhi provides direct industry partnership opportunities. This proximity allows for real-time curriculum updates and daily student engagement with professionals.
Addressing Ranking Biases
Verma questions the subjectivity of perception scores in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). He states perception depends on who is surveyed and a school’s public visibility. He argues actual quality is better reflected by improving student cutoff scores and increasing application numbers. Verma also stressed the need for independent audits of placement reports. Currently, most institutes submit unverified claims. FORE School prioritizes transparency and ethical practices over manipulating data for rankings.
He concludes that while placements and graduate outcomes are important for rankings, their data must be accurate and verified. Data integrity and penalties for misreporting are strictly enforced internationally. India lacks such audits and strict penalties, contributing to unauthenticated claims.