PUMBA Pune updated its Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum in 2023, incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data. Rajesh Pahurkar, Head of the Department of Management Sciences at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), confirmed these changes. The revised curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) to address evolving market needs.
PUMBA, established in 1971 and granted autonomy in 2004, is recognized among Maharashtra’s top B-schools. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs.
HOD Priorities and Campus Initiatives
Since assuming charge, HOD Rajesh Pahurkar prioritized improving basic amenities, including sanitation and electrical equipment. Future plans include modernizing classrooms with smartboards. Pahurkar also aims to restore student engagement and activities.
The department seeks to reactivate student-run cells for group discussions, placements, and alumni relations. Flagship events are being reinstated. Alumni are invited to share experiences, aiming to revitalize campus life. Experiential learning from these events complements theoretical classroom knowledge, teaching skills like planning, budgeting, vendor management, and marketing.
Curriculum Enhancements
The 2023 syllabus revision introduced several components. A half-credit ‘social projects’ module in the second semester fosters social sensitization. Students work with organizations on issues from literacy to traffic management, identifying problems and proposing solutions.
The third semester includes a ‘summer project,’ where students collaborate with companies on industrial problems. The fourth semester features a mandatory internship. Students securing placements often join employers early.
PUMBA incorporated ‘ABCs’ – Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Cloud Computing – into its programs. The NEP-aligned curriculum also introduced two ‘cafeteria’ courses and one Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in both the third and fourth semesters. These allow students to select subjects outside their core specialization.
Course Delivery and Specializations
Cafeteria courses engage both internal faculty and industry professionals. Pahurkar developed a course titled ‘Experiencing the Entrepreneurial Motivation,’ taught through simulations and games. Other offerings include analytics and Excel modeling.
The program offers dual specializations, allowing students to combine a major discipline, such as marketing, with a minor, like finance. Sector-specific specializations, including retail and banking, remain accessible through cafeteria programs. Despite these options, the MBA maintains specialization, with 60% weightage given to eight specialized courses.
Resource Management and New Programs
Course offerings require a minimum of 15-20 student requests. PUMBA manages faculty shortages by engaging industry experts. Pahurkar noted that resource constraints, common in government institutions, can foster resourcefulness and efficiency among students.
PUMBA has expanded its program offerings. The MBA BioTech program transformed into MBA Pharma BioTech. An evening course for executives is also available. The MBA Facility and Services Management program recently saw its first graduating batch. Additional programs are under development.
Affordability and Return on Investment
PUMBA is one of India’s most affordable B-schools, with an annual fee of Rs 1.39 lakh. The institute highlights its high return on investment (ROI), citing comparable salary packages to more expensive institutions.
The department emphasizes its diverse student body, which includes individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity promotes social integration, preparing graduates for varied professional interactions and leadership roles with strong ethical values.
Placement Trends and Employability
Global economic trends, including tariff issues, have influenced company expansion and hiring. Despite this, PUMBA secures placements due to its merit-based admission system. Placement cells focus on communication skills, group discussions, and personal interview preparation.
Social and commercial projects provide practical experience. Companies increasingly seek graduates proficient in technical tools, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and AI. Engineering graduates often possess these technical skills.