Saturday, January 7, 2012

30th Week@XIMB

30th Week- 1st January to 7th January

1st January : This day was not any more significant than other days. A day worth utilized in reading book.

There is a different world that exist outside the college gate. Hence, jumping directly from the graduate college to B School for higher education is not a good idea. One should try a year off or career building in any industry, NGO etc. It always makes you wiser. I feel sorry for the few classmates who didn't show the inclination of growing as a mature person even now.

Passing over six months in MBA, I think pre work experience before a MBA is more useful rather than a fresher doing an MBA. There is a difference in the mindset of the Workex and freshers. It is a difference of maturity and vision. People with Work-Ex may be overqualified or unfit for certain type of the job, but they can manage things better due to their previous interaction with the outdoor environment.

Recently Department of Industrial and Management Engineering (IME) at IITK plans for a ‘no entry’ board for freshers. It is planning to close the doors for candidates who don’t have prior work experience. “The reason why such a decision is being deliberated over is because freshers lack practical knowledge and can’t visualise the responsibilities that come with a managerial position,” said Prof BV Phani, faculty of finance and entrepreneurship, IME. “Our objective is to provide students with the best possible management exposure/education so that they learn and understand the process. Students view the management programmes of IITs as secondary, as compared to the IIMs, and stop-gap arrangements. This has resulted in a disconnect between the students and faculty.”

2nd January : Whole day was spent in CTCRI for the preparation of the report.

A sarcastic cover letter written to Hiring Manager for a International Humanitarian Organization. I see remarkable and subtle similarity in our course program with the applicant.

There is a tussle to turn this course like postgraduate course of social work without paying attention to the students loan. Education is not only about academic learning and vision about students of the college, but also about ROI (Return of Investment) on the high course fees paid by each student here.

I bookmarked an interesting paper by Bernadette M. Wanjala and Roldan Muradian published in 2011. Can Big Push Interventions Take Small-scale Farmers out of Poverty? Insights from the Sauri Millennium Village in Kenya. CIDIN Working Paper 2011-1. Nijmegen: CIDIN.

Abstract: Using household survey data from Sauri Millennium village and propensity score matching methodology, this paper sought to analyze the impact of the Millennium Village Project (MVP) interventions on agricultural productivity and income. The results show a significant increase in agricultural productivity and an insignificant income effect, which can be attributed to small land sizes and over-reliance on agriculture. The results indicate the need to diversify economic activities and a revision of the assumptions on the relationship between productivity and income, on which the MVP, and many other rural development policies, rely on.

3rd January - The registration for the third trimester started today. There are lot of academic reports pending to be completed due to RLLE.

My respect for our Class Representatives (CRs) Gaurish and Saket had increased today. They are coping with administration (higher management) without adequate support from the students on the issues of missing SRM (Social Research Method) classes and introducing of OBL (Outbound Learning program) to RM. They are the real hero that our Rural Management program deserve, but most of our batch-mates don't even respect the duo right now.

We remember the leaders who always encourage and gave opportunity to make our own choices. I hope better sense prevail in the administration. The course choices, not the mandatory part of the curriculum define the decision making power of a student in the Business School. The policies of college must reflect the priorities of the students and industry rather than reinforcing the position of the faculty caught in wrap of timelessness. We all know that the absolutist conformity had always discouraged open inquiry and citizen dissent.

4th January - I was busy in CTCRI for preparing the RLLE report. I was surprised to know that people from other countries are waiting for out report.

5th January - I was busy whole day since there was visit of one company to the campus. Since, its a confidential matter, nothing much can be written in the public.


A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, formerPresident being felicitated by XIMB Director P.T. Joseph at Xavier Institute of Management in Bhubaneswar. He is at XIMB to interact with students on Thursday evening.— Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

He raised an important question and an oath for the students - "What will i be remembered for..??" and "Small aim is crime." I disagreed with the quest of legacy raised in the question and the ambition aspect of the oath. I was surprised to see myself disagreeing with such an eminent personality and even mine own role model. There is no crime in aiming small. May be I acted as a conservative & guardian of "Small is Beautiful" manifesto.

His talk focused on the importance of creative leadership for economic development, the relevance of sustainable development in the current global economic scenario, the implementation of PURA (Provision of Urban amenities in Rural areas) and his visualization of India in the year 2020. He is an inspiration source to us who wants to create a sustainable development model by mobilising the youth of the country.  He mentioned a website of the movement started by him - WHAT CAN I GIVE?  His full speech at XIMB campus can be read on his personal website.

I decided to be free again on the personal front. Happy New Year to me.

6th January - I had meeting with Fr. P T Joseph regarding EQ & Leadership course with group of other students. He had taken feedback with the student of the last six month. Few of us had courage to speak our minds while rest were silent spectators. The anger against administration or system may prosper in the hostels (and now social media) but it is a practical prospect outlining career path of achieving economic stability that decides the fate of any revolution inside college premiers. This led to the path of subservience and avoiding any clash with the administration regarding their own problems.

7th January -A day of rest and reconciliation. While I was having good time, continuous news of recession had created a pessimistic environment. Top B-Schools like IIMs, ISB expect fewer recruiters, fewer jobs and lower salaries this time . This news alarms the bad condition of the rest colleges and Indian economy. A college reputation in market depends on the capability to place its student with good package. The mettle of a college and its student came in limelight of these tough situation only.

I am not a job creator. Even while seeking a job, I believe in the long term prospects. Most people mistake the placement packages for success that are mere numbers . Through hard work and determination, one can balance these figures in the career. So, one should not let figures determine success. The whole scenario of cultivating job creators rather than job seekers is changing the landscape of India business. But it is long time to change mindset of an average student burdened with the loan for the risk of an entrepreneurship. Here is one step taken by TISS in the correct direction - School abolishes placements to push graduates to become entrepreneurs.