Every year we conduct two Board of Studies in addition to the regular Faculty Meet, says HOD Dr Santosh

Dr BR Santosh, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Commerce at the MAHE Off Campus Center in Bengaluru, speaks in-depth about the teaching style at the institution in an interview with Shiksha.com. He speaks extensively about the institute's efforts to prepare students for the workplace, the design of the curriculum, the hiring procedure, and the value of technology and entrepreneurship in the modern world.

Dr Santosh is an academician with over 20 years of teaching experience, holds a PhD from Anna University in the area of International Human Resource Management. He has authored textbooks and his articles have found their place in prominent international and national level journals. He is on the editorial board of several prestigious international journals.

Q: What are the salient features of the teaching methodology adopted by your college? How does this differ from others?

A: At DoC, MAHE off campus centre Bengaluru, we use a more scientific innovative teaching methodology that differentiates us from other universities.

1. We use Inquiry-based instruction (including case studies) coupled with Technology (MS TEAMS and ICT classrooms) that makes our pedagogy facilitate for the professional development of B.Com & M.Com students
2. Business Simulation lab helps students get practical training
3. Skill-based learning & story-telling content is included in our pedagogy to inculcate creative thinking among students and
4. Activity-based experiential learning makes students industry-ready.

Q: How are you preparing your students to be Industry ready?

A: At DoC, MAHE Bengaluru, we provide two projects to students namely:

Internship/Dissertation for 14 weeks in VI semester and VIII semester BCom (Hons) program and IV Semester MCom to avail real-world experience and understand organisations problem. These Internship/Dissertation give students Practical Knowledge.

In addition to internship/dissertation the BCom (Hons.) program and M.Com program is designed to give exposure to students through Industry-Academia Interface involving Industry Visits, Guest Lectures, Workshops, Panel Discussions and Seminars. The course-specific workshops are also conducted on subjects of ‘Financial Regulations’, ‘Banking Dynamics’, ‘Investment Banking’, ‘Tableau’, and likewise.

Q: What are the qualities you are looking for in student applicants? What qualities do they need to do well in your course?

A: The course is best suited for those aspirants who want to shape their careers in the Finance sector in India and overseas in the field of Investment Banks, Banking, Financial Services, Research, Mutual Funds, Rating agencies, Wealth Management, Insurance, Micro Finance & IT.

The students with analytical minds, open to challenges and with zest of learning are best suited for the course.

Q: How do you ensure that your course curriculum is up to date and meets industry requirements?

A: Every year we conduct two Board of Studies in addition to the regular Faculty Meet to discuss the various aspects of the course including need for updating curriculum and syllabus, gap-finding in the current curriculum, pedagogy review, assessment review.

The members of this Board of Studies include the Director and Dean of the colleges, internal and visiting faculty, industry experts, subject specialists, recruiters, alumni to get a holistic view of the current trend and industry demand.

Any areas of improvement are being considered in the coming years and for the current year, we conduct various guest sessions and workshops as mentioned earlier.

Q: Is your college receptive to innovation, technology, science & entrepreneurship? How? Could you cite some examples of these?

A: The Business Simulation Lab along with Cogencis (Newswire software) and corporate software of AceKP (Accord Fintech) provides Indian and global live news feeds and financial data.

Also, at DoC, MAHE Bengaluru we have an Entrepreneur and Incubation cell that encourage and help students to be an entrepreneur. Some of our students after getting related work experience, have started their own venture.