Students' corner

Dear Students,

LAST WEEK WE ASKED: Do you think it will be a good idea for older B-schools to take over new ones? Why?

BEST RESPONSE

All the premier B-schools are suffering from faculty crunch, and this problem will be aggravated once they start to take over the newer ones. What older B-schools can do is to function as a mentor for the new ones so that the latter does not face the same problem which the older once had faced at the beginning. This will assist new B-schools to stand on their own foot and compete with the older ones, thus enhancing their quality and gradually becoming stronger.

Nilaya Mitash Shanker, SRMCEM, Lucknow.

OTHER RESPONSES

Lower-rung and newly established B-schools are increasingly finding it difficult to sustain themselves, both financially and in terms of occupancy. Moreover, with proliferating management institutes, the quality of education and brand name become an important differentiation. It is a rational idea for the older B-schools, with their expertise in management education and strong financial background, to take over the new ones. This can avoid the scenario of new B-schools shutting down in the future, and at the same time improve the standard of education, occupancy and finances of the new B-schools.
Akshay Chadha, NSIT, Delhi. It will be a good idea for older B-schools to take over the new ones as it will enable them to expand quickly and will save their time and capex. A blend of new and advanced infrastructure along with experienced faculties and mentors will lead to a win-win situation for the B-schools as well as the students. Old business schools already have the required certifications from the authorities that secures the students in case of any problems which occurred in recent times returns.
Sunil Ashok Gala, IBS, Mumbai. Of late, educational institutions have sprouted like wild mushrooms, resulting in dipping standards of education and quality of managers that come out of B-schools. Thus, high levels of uptake don't seem to serve the larger purpose of producing able managers. Secondly, the state of global economy has created an air of apprehension among aspirants regarding management education. So, there might as well be a dip in the number of MBA aspirants. Hence, taking over new B-schools would over-burden the existing infrastructure at the well-established ones leading to unwarranted consequences.

G Aditya Kumar, Amity University, Lucknow.

In contrast to the bygone days when there used to be very few business schools and more takers, today there are countless number of such schools offering admissions and yet the seats are not getting filled up to the full. This need not be construed as under utilisation of installed capacity since the rise in number of schools is not supported by good faculty and other related infrastructure. Takeover of new B-schools by the old ones with phased building up of additional good faculty to support would be a meaningful proposition as they are perhaps better equipped to deal with this situation.

- Arvind Umashankar, VNIT, Nagpur.

With the increase in number of B-schools at a rapid rate but alongside there has been a decline in number of students pursuing MBA resulting in lower rung colleges unable to carry on with their business.According to the point of view of colleges seeking to shut shop, it would be no better idea other than being taken over by older counterparts.But for old B-schools it would be a difficult choice, as it would take years to bring it to the same status.For them it would be just like the situation of venturing a new business.If it goes worthwhile then it would add to the name of college or else diminish it.

- Shivam Chhabra, Integral University, Lucknow.

It will be good step if older B-schools take over newer one since the former ones have good reputation and relationships with companies which will help in students of new B-schools to get placed easily. Similarly, experienced and effective management of old B-schools will take better control of operational activities of new ones, new B-schools students will get more opportunities to show and improve their capabilities. For old B-schools more revenue will be generated besides increase in number of their subsidiaries college in different states.

- Jatinder S. Bedi, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Management, NIPER, Mohali.

Today management students require additional set of skills and qualifications to face the challenges of the current market situations. This would be possible by combining the rich experience of the older B- schools and the fresh curriculum and pedagogy adopted by the newer B-schools. So if the older B-schools take over the newer B-schools it would be a great idea as it would prepare the students for the nuances of the real world by ensuring a perfect trade off between experience and a fresh mindset of globalised and liberalised India.

- Anshu Sharma, IBS Mumbai.

While the older B-schools focused more on teaching from books written years ago the new B- schools adopt a more concentrated approach to ensure that the students are exposed to the industry and its nuances and are abreast with the current affairs. What lacks in the new B-schools is the experience of the old B-schools as they have seen India during the pre and post reform periods. So it would be a good idea for older B-schools to take over the newer ones as it would equip the students with the necessary skills and experience to face the real world.

- Tarit Registrar, IBS Mumbai.

Veteran B-schools must take over fledgling new B schools to groom them and to prevent winding up causing distress to those involved. The former's experienced of having overcome hurdles to gain a foothold will be a necessary know-how for the newer ones to face onslaughts and stay afloat during crisis. However, the arrangement should be such when the adopted B-school gains the confidence and expertise to stride independently it must be allowed to do so.

- Soma Dutta, Jadavpur University.

The legacy set by the older B-schools is unmatched in its own way due to successful alumni presence in every nook and corner distinguished course contents and faculty. But the new B-schools coming in the market are equipped with innovative programs catering the creative needs of industry and are setting standards with their teaching methodology good infrastructure and management which is at par with any ivy league college. So to provide enough choices to students and maintain diversity across various fields it is necessary for individual presence of both old and new B-schools.

- Nandish Agarwal, Galgotias College of Engineering and Technology, Greater Noida.

Taking over newer B-school by the older ones cannot be easily justified. However, it would be commendable if a big brand takes over small brand, the smaller B-school gets a considerable value associated with it. Hence, just by saying old B–school doesn't clarify that how big the brand it is. Moreover, if older IIMs take over newer institutes, it will dilute the latter's brand equity.

- Vishal Bhardwaj, IBS Mumbai.

A good brand no doubt matters in the short term, but one needs to also be competent to last in the long run. A good old B-school brand name is built over years of consistent performance both by the students and the faculty. Hence, taking over of new B-schools not only will help the older ones in widening its brands and reach but also help it to improvise on its update about new generation.

- Shahbaz Singh, IBS, Mumbai

On their own, the new B- Schools give a wide range of options for the students wanting to pursue management degrees. These private colleges can can create more number of expertise. Since the mass population and the growing economy demands both-quality as well as quantity, the new B-schools can offer it on their own. So older B-schools' takeover of new ones is not a good idea.

- Yogesh Mundhra, IBS Mumbai

It is win-win situation for both the old and new B-schools. The new B-schools have their own issues like infrastucture, placements, and education quality while the older B-schools have become complacent over their years of experience. Such a collaboration can allow old B-schools to take up the failure of newer one and convert it into success. And if they do it successfully they can add another feather to their hat.

- Jimit Parikh, St. Kabir Institute of Professional Studies, Ahmedabad.

Many B-schools are associated with brand value, integrated research and high academic excellence. They have an aura which can get affected due to arrival of newer ones initially. For instance, the older B-schools are highly experienced in the industrial arena and their expertise can act as a stepping stone for the new B-schools. Therefore it will be a good idea for older B-schools to take over new ones on a interim basis.

- Debayan Daw, ITM University, Gurgaon.

Since the educational sector has been opened up for private institutions, survival-of-the-fittest mantra should be applied to it too. New B-schools who aren't able to attract many students and remain in the bottom rung should be given leeway to get older, well-established B-schools to take them under their umbrella and bring about a change in their functioning. Such practices would encourage schools to improve their quality of education and it will also weed out poor colleges in the long run. However, it should be ensured that interests of students are taken care of and they don't suffer.

- Rahul Gautam, IIIT-Delhi.

The scope for MBA students is expanding due to specialised knowledge and skills acquired by them. Such M&A will provide older B-schools with synergies such as infrastructure and economies of scale and also save on lot of efforts and time which are otherwise needed if they have to start from scratch. Older B-schools will be able to grow and new ones will be able to prosper as they will absorb the brand value, efficient alumni network and industry oriented curriculum of the older ones. 

- Harshad Kulkarni, IBS Pune.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: Do you think IIMs are right in saying that they should focus on domestic campuses rather than going for international ones?

Your responses should reach us at edu@business-standard.com  by Monday evening every week. Please ensure your responses do not exceed 100 words. Avoid attachments and email your full name, institute's name, batch and complete mailing address. The student who gives the ‘Best Response’ will be awarded Rs 500.