Interview with Dr. Amol Gawande, Director, Dr. DY Patil B-School, Pune

Dr. Amol Gawande, Director at Dr. DY Patil B-School in Pune, has an impressive academic background. He holds a PhD in Management, MBA in Financial Management, MA in Psychology and a B.Com. He has received numerous awards, including ‘Visionary Academic Leader of the Year Award’, ‘Best Director of the Year Award’, ‘Rashtriya Siksha Gaurav Puraskar by CEGR’, ‘National Happiness Unicorn Award by Heartfulness Organization’, ‘Innovative Academic Leader of the Year Award by ICCI’, ‘Most Visionary and Innovative Director of the Year Award by Bizox Media Network Pvt. Ltd’,’ Best Director of the Year Award at World Leadership Congress’. The visionary leader talks to Education Post about everything a student might want to know about the DY Patil B-School (DYPBS).

Q. Please give an overview of the NBA Accreditation achievement for your Institute.

We are thrilled to announce that the PGDM program at Dr. DY Patil B-School (DYPBS) has been accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). Our achievement is a testament commitment to excellence in Management Education. This milestone reflects our institute’s dedication to maintain high standards, foster continuous improvement, and provide a superior learning environment for our students.

Q. How is DYPBS currently ranked in national and international rankings?

DYPBS has achieved remarkable rankings from Times B-School Survey as it has ranked 10th among the top 50 private institutes. Ranked 7th in the West Zone, ranked 18th in placements. We also received the Indian Institutional Ranking Framework (IIRF) Education Impact Award 2023 in the category of Leading B-School for Academic Excellence from Prof. TG Sitharam. Also received Best Management College in Maharashtra for placement in 2023.

Q. When did DYPBS adopt PRME, and what motivated this decision?

We adopted PRME in 2021. The decision to adopt PRME was driven by our commitment to align with core values, enhance the curriculum, meet stakeholder expectations, and strengthen our institute’s reputation and competitiveness.

Q. Please take us through your recent statistics on placements, including the percentage of students placed, average salary, and top recruiters.

Our institute has a strong placement record, with 92% of students placed in reputable organizations across various industries. The average salary is 8.5 lakhs per annum and the highest salary is 18.5 lakhs per annum. Our top recruiters are Deloitte, KPIT, Infosys, Markets and Markets, Daimler India Commercial Vehicle, ICICI Bank, Axis bank, Tech Mahindra, PWC, Big Basket, Federal Bank, TCS to name a few.

Q. What initiatives have been introduced to enhance faculty research output and publications?

Our institute has implemented a comprehensive range of initiatives to enhance faculty research output and publications. Faculty members are rewarded with financial incentives for publishing in high-impact journals and presenting at reputed conferences. These initiatives focus on providing financial support, resources, professional development, and collaborative opportunities to foster a robust research culture.

Q. What initiatives and resources are available to support faculty and student research at the B-School?

Our institute provides a support system to encourage and motivate faculty and students for research and publications; organizes conferences, seminars, workshops, and guidance sessions for students; provides opportunities to attend such events outside the institute and provides ample opportunities for publications in IPRs, journals, book chapters, conference proceedings, newsletters, blogs, etc.

Q. Are there any significant collaborative research projects with other institutions or industry partners that you can highlight?

DYPBS has collaborated with SRV Media Pvt. Ltd. for Management Development Programs and JSR India Pvt. Ltd to conduct research project on “Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices for an Alumni Association”. These projects involve joint initiatives to assess environmental impacts, develop sustainable business models, and enhance stakeholder engagement. We have also collaborated with startup incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship support organizations to study the dynamics of the local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Q. Could you please highlight any recent industry partnerships or collaborations that DYPBS has established?

Our Institute has MoUs with industry partners such as Mavericks Landmark, Parekh Integrated Service Private Limited, IAC International Automotive India Pvt. Ltd., Capsource Technologies Inc. to facilitate technology transfer and innovation in areas of information technology, biotechnology, and renewable energy.

Q. What about international MOUs?

DYPBS has established a diverse portfolio of international MoUs with universities, academic consortia, and strategic partners worldwide. Few of our students are in Morrocco for a student exchange program. We have also conducted faculty and student exchange program with Boston International College, Nepal in the month of Dec 2023.

In collaboration with EMAA Business School, Morocco; The Centre of Economic Diplomacy, Croatia, Europe; Dr. Soetomo University, Indonesia; Boston International College, Nepal; Jansons School of Business, Coimbatore, India; Association o f Indian Management Schools, India; and Centre for Education Growth & Research, India we have organised an International Conference in the month of April 2024.

Q. What are some student exchange programs currently available at DYPBS?

Our DYPBS scholars have successfully landed for their monumental educational journey at The American Business School, Morrocco, to access the rich tapestry of culture and knowledge, and get every moment inspired and transformed.

Q. What initiatives and programs do you have in place to promote entrepreneurship among students?

DYPBS has an Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) to foster an entrepreneurial culture and mindset among students. The cell serves as a platform for ideation, incubation, and support for aspiring entrepreneurs, providing guidance, mentorship, and resources to turn innovative ideas into viable business ventures. We organize entrepreneurial competitions, hackathons, and challenges to encourage students to innovate and develop entrepreneurial solutions to real-world problems. We also facilitate industry mentorship programs, networking events, and interactions with successful entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

Q. Does the B-School have an incubation centre or similar facilities to support student start-ups?

The operation of our Incubation Centre offers infrastructure support, workspace facilities, and business development services to student startups. We also conduct startup boot camps, workshops, and seminars on entrepreneurship-related topics, such as business planning, market research, financial management, and pitching techniques. We also facilitate internship opportunities with startup companies, entrepreneurial ventures, and innovation hubs, allowing students to gain firsthand experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Experiential learning programs are also provided to students to exposure to real-world entrepreneurship challenges, opportunities for skill development, and insights into different industry sectors.

Q. Can you share any success stories of student startups or entrepreneurial ventures that have emerged from the DYPBS?

In the heart of Dr. DY Patil B-School’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Mr. Samarth Jain has started “Earthwise Innovations Pvt. Ltd” to address one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time―Biodegradable Food Packaging Products from Baggase waste. Inspired by their coursework in sustainability and entrepreneurship, they envisioned a future where food packaging could be both eco-friendly and functional. The journey of Earthwise Innovations began with a simple yet powerful idea: to utilize Bagasse waste, a byproduct of sugarcane processing, to create bio-degradable food packaging solutions. Armed with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to sustainability, he dove headfirst into research and development, experimenting with different formulations and manufacturing techniques to transform Bagasse into a viable alternative to traditional plastic packaging.

After months of trial and error, countless late nights in the lab, and unwavering determination, he finally achieved a breakthrough. He successfully developed a range of bio-degradable food packaging products made from Bagasse waste that offered the same level of durability, functionality, and convenience as their plastic counterparts, but with a significantly lower environmental footprint. Today, Earthwise Innovations stands as a shining example of the power of entrepreneurship to drive positive change. Their bio-degradable food packaging products have not only transformed the way we package and consume food but have also inspired a global movement towards sustainable living and responsible business practices.

Q. What about the multidisciplinary courses at DYPBS? How do these courses integrate knowledge from different fields, and what benefits do they offer to students in terms of skills development and career opportunities?

We offer a range of multidisciplinary courses designed to integrate knowledge from various fields, including music, dance, drama, photography, and fashion designing. These courses provide students with a holistic education that goes beyond traditional business studies, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a diverse skill set. Multidisciplinary courses provide a well-rounded education that integrates artistic, technical, and cultural knowledge. These courses not only enrich students’ academic experiences but also equip them with diverse skills and open up varied career opportunities in the creative and business sectors. Through unique initiatives and a commitment to interdisciplinary learning, the B-School ensures that students are well-prepared for the complexities of the modern professional landscape.

Q. Tell us about campus life at DYPBS? What are some of the extracurricular activities, clubs, and events available for students? Additionally, what facilities and amenities does the campus offer to support student well-being and recreation?

Campus life at DYPBS is vibrant and dynamic, offering students a wide range of opportunities for personal growth, community engagement, and recreation. The B-School hosts a diverse array of student clubs and societies catering to various interests and passions, including Entrepreneurship Club, Marketing Club, Finance Club, HR Club, Cultural Club, Sports Club, Social Responsibility Club, Rotract Club, Music Club, Dram Club etc. The campus buzzes with energy during cultural festivals, celebrations, and events organized throughout the academic year. Our institute also encourages a healthy and active lifestyle through its sports and recreational facilities, including a well-equipped gym, outdoor sports grounds for cricket, football, volleyball, and basketball had tie up with sports arena, indoor sports facilities for table tennis, badminton, and chess. We also provide comprehensive student support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and personal development workshops. A dedicated health and wellness center on our campus offers counseling, and wellness programs to support students’ physical and mental health. Trained professionals provide preventive care, health screenings, and counseling services to promote student well-being and resilience.