Embracing the dynamism of management education and steering IBS Hyderabad towards excellence Prof. Venugopal Rao K S, Director, IBS Hyderabad, shares insights into his journey and philosophy with Education Post's Prabhav Anand. Prof. Rao talks about his leadership philosophy, the evolving role of academia in a changing economic landscape, and the crucial nexus between industry and education.
Q. Dr. Rao, as you reflect on your rich background in management education, could you share a defining moment or unique experience that significantly influenced your teaching philosophy and leadership style at ICFAI Business School?
Management education is very dynamic, unlike many other disciplines. Here, learners get trained for different roles in the industry, and in most cases, this is the last leg of their academic journey. I moved from an active industry job to academics in 2002 driven by the desire to make a difference to the student community and get into a career where I found congruence with my interest in training and teaching. Early on in this career, I got opportunities to attend several QIPs and FDPs at top business schools in India (such as the IIMs). In these faculty programs, the usage of case pedagogy immediately struck a chord with me as it was an innovative way of bringing in industry insights that aligned with theory. I also got opportunities to interact with senior academic leaders who created a lasting impression on my mind. I continue to hold the view that a teacher is a learner for life.
IBS Hyderabad is one of the largest business school campuses in the country with nearly 2500 students in the MBA program. Being responsible for the business school, I believe in a participative style of leadership that is based on a broad consensus. While taking responsibility for the achievement of the mission and objectives, I regularly oversee the progress of key tasks and ensure that they are completed. In achieving the mission and objectives, I am fortunate to have a team of a highly experienced and talented pool of faculty colleagues who overlook different verticals besides academics.
I also believe in a high degree of operational freedom that helps my colleagues think out of the box to arrive at effective decisions. I attribute these leadership qualities to the excellent schooling I had early on at Military School, Belgaum, Karnataka which imbibed in me versatility, multi-tasking and team management skills.
Q. As a Director and Professor, how do you ensure a nurturing and inclusive learning environment at IBS Hyderabad, fostering the holistic development of students beyond academic excellence?
The Mission of IBS Hyderabad is to “offer high-quality management programs that equip students with the right knowledge, skills, and attitudes to succeed in a dynamic world”. At IBS, we believe in preparing students for jobs of the future. For this, IBS Hyderabad goes beyond academics and provides relevant platforms for students to engage in activities that foster social, interpersonal communication, team, and leadership skills. Through various curricular and extracurricular activities, internships, group and field activities, students gain important life skills that help them eventually succeed in a demanding corporate world. At the end of the two-year program, students mature with all-round managerial skills and are better equipped to take on challenges in a dynamic business world.
Q. In your opinion, how can business schools contribute to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students, preparing them for the ever-changing business landscape?
IBS Hyderabad provides an appropriate ambiance, culture, and climate to train students for diverse roles in the industry. A small percentage of students often take the road less traveled as they possess ambitions for the risky entrepreneurial journey very early on. IBS Hyderabad has created the institutional mechanisms to cater to this small but growing lot of students who wish to pursue the challenging entrepreneurial journey. To foster and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among its students and faculty, IFHE constituted the IIC (The Institution Innovation Council) in November 2018 that is a part of the Government of India, Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell. The IIC has an active council comprising faculty members and students drawn from the constituent schools of IFHE (Business Management, Technology, Social Sciences, Architecture, and Law). The IIC also receives active collaborative and mentoring support from industry partners, successful entrepreneurs, innovators, and alumni. Regular awareness campus, interactive sessions, popular lectures, training programs, and mock contests are conducted to create a healthy ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Q. With the increasing importance of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, how do you incorporate these themes into your teaching and research, preparing students for responsible leadership roles in the business world?
IBS Hyderabad has always held a view that respect for the society in which we live requires commitment, engagement, and sustained efforts to bring about societal change. As an educational institution, IBS has cared for communities that surround its vast campus on the outskirts of Hyderabad. To demonstrate its commitment to the environment-related issues, IBS has taken the lead to introduce different courses concerning the environment, disaster management, and corporate social responsibility in the UG and MBA programs. Faculty members are now sensitive to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and have published research papers covering three SDGs – 3, 8, and 9. Going forward, the faculty is committed to extending the coverage of their research and consulting activities. These initiatives and achievements will directly and indirectly benefit students through curricular and teaching interventions and help them succeed in responsible leadership roles in the business world. To complement the efforts of the business school, the Case Research Center at IBS Hyderabad has taken the lead in publishing 62 award-winning and other business cases that have captured at least one or more of the 17 UN SDGs. These initiatives will continue to yield results in the foreseeable future.
Q. In the context of India’s evolving economic landscape, how do you see government policies impacting the field of management education, and what role can academic institutions play in aligning their programs with these policy changes?
The economic landscape is changing rapidly. India is at the epicenter of the worldwide economic revival after the 2019 Covid pandemic. Business Schools bear the impact of dynamic economic changes from time to time. IBS Hyderabad, a constituent of the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), a deemed to be University with NAAC A++ grade has followed various suggestions and directives shared by the MHRD and UGC from time to time. IFHE was one of the early movers in launching the four-year UG programs as per the recommendations of the New Education Policy 2020. We share the view enshrined in the draft curricular framework that requires HEIs (quote) to recognize, identify and foster the unique capabilities of each student to promote her/his holistic development; ensure sufficient flexibility to enable learners to choose their own learning trajectories and programs, and thereby choose their own paths in life according to their talents and interests; avoid creating hard separations between ‘arts’ and ‘sciences’, between ‘curricular’ and ‘extra-curricular’ activities, and finally bringing in an appreciation for multidisciplinarity and holistic education across the sciences, social sciences, arts, humanities, and sports. IBS Hyderabad will be at the forefront to bring in these changes as they are tuned to help future generations of learners. It is a recognized fact that the jobs of the future require a very different portfolio of knowledge and skills that the NEP 2020 is actually recommending. These changes benefit HEIs as much as they help achieve the overall national ambitions of economic growth.
Q. What role do you believe industry-academia collaborations play in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and the practical skills required in the corporate world, and how can these collaborations be strengthened?
Business schools evolved from the needs of the industry in the early 19th century. Over time the linkage continues to influence how business schools prepare their curricula aimed at training young leader managers for the industry. The discussion of industry-academia collaborations is not new and has been a subject of debate for years. At IBS, however, we have always maintained a strong rapport with the industry knowing fully well the advantages of such an association. Industry experts are invited for special guest lectures to engage with students and faculty on emerging topics. Students invite managers from the industry for several activities and panel discussions that are domain-specific. Industry executives are invited to be on the Board of Studies where curricula changes are discussed and finalized. Their inputs and feedback on existing curricula have a deep impact on how our curricula are managed and modified depending on industry-level changes. Successful campus-based hiring of MBA graduates is possible due to the sustained long-term association with several well-established business organizations over the years. These relationships are built and nurtured by a well-equipped corporate relations team headed by a Director. IBS has been hiring industry executives as adjuncts or visiting faculty depending on the need over the years to teach specific courses. The University Grants Commission in its latest announcement has already hinted that a new category of faculty can now be hired in various fields as diverse as engineering, commerce, technology, social sciences, and business management. IBS has prepared a roadmap to hire such experts in its UG and PG programs. Our association with the industry will strengthen and continue to yield results.
Q. Could you share a memorable or rewarding experience from your career that highlights the fulfilling aspects of being an educator and researcher in the field of management?
I have mentioned in an earlier response the reason for shifting to active academics. This field, in general, and my teaching job in particular, have provided me with the greatest satisfaction possible. I have seen twenty batches of young promising undergraduates seeking admission to our business school, go on to successfully navigate their two-year academic journey and finally secure jobs in leading business organizations. The career trajectory actually pushes them into a whole new orbit over time. What could be more satisfying than seeing students who were taught, mentored, and tutored by you and now hold successful positions and influence how businesses function? Transforming students’ needs total dedication and commitment which I believe requires loads of patience and dedication. I believe I possess both. I was also fortunate to guide five doctoral scholars who are now doing extremely well in their academic pursuits as faculty in India and abroad.
