Given the rise in business failures, IRM India Affiliate enable students to make better risk-based decisions, says Kosha

Kosha Shah, Head of Academics & Corporate Alliances, Institute of Risk Management - India Affiliate, discusses the Risk Management qualification and credential standard in-depth with Shiksha.com. The institute, which is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has a presence in over 140 countries, claims to be the world pioneer in providing Enterprise Risk Management programmes.

Kosha has over seven years of varied experience in the legal industry.

Read the complete interview below:

Q: What are the three things that your institute is doing that will enable it to differentiate itself from the competition?

A: The Institute of Risk Management, headquartered in the UK with a presence in over 140 countries globally, is the world leader in enterprise risk management (ERM) qualifications and examinations (Level 1 to Level 5). Three important characteristics that differentiate IRM’s qualifications in ERM are:

• Universal application across all sectors-start-ups, family business, supply chain, marketing, legal, human resources procurement, sales, research and development etc.
• Global recognition in 143 countries and membership to a global risk community
• Earning a professional designation at every stage after Level 2.

Q: What are the top three initiatives undertaken by you that are helping your students become more industry-ready?

A: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) helps one manage entity-wide risks. Since risk is inherent in everything we do, everyone needs to learn how to manage it. Given the rise in business failures and the uncertain world we live in, whether students are looking to make a career in the risk sector or not, IRM’s qualifications, enable students to make better risk-based decisions and become risk and crisis ready. The interactive live study support sessions (for the Level 1 examination) conducted by industry experts are delivered virtually through a combination of case studies, current affairs and practical examples, helping students prepare for the examination through practical application. By virtue of the global risk community membership, students also have the opportunity to participate in research paper writing and interact with risk professionals across the globe.

Q: What are the key attributes that a student should have in order to qualify for your institution and get top grades?

A: Whether the candidate is a student or a working professional, anyone aged 18 years and above can enrol for IRM’s qualifications commencing at Level 1. Students can pursue IRM’s qualifications alongside their graduation or post-graduation or career. Enterprise risk management is applicable for everyone, no matter which country or sector a candidate works in. Everyone needs to be a risk manager- whether you aspire to start your own venture, scale up your family business or head a team in an organisation and IRM’s qualifications in ERM help you build resilience in today’s uncertain world. IRM’s qualifications thus do not require you to have any basic qualification. 

Students can prepare for the examination through self-study, live study support sessions, online webinars, module coach assistance, dedicated discussion forum and other resources that will guide them in excelling at the professional examinations and earning their title/designations at each stage after Level 2.

Q: Which programmes would you say are your best? What is it that helps your institution differentiate itself for this programme?

A: IRM does not offer online courses or programmes. It is a professional body delivering international professional qualifications in Enterprise Risk Management. Driving excellence for 30 years with global recognition in over 140 countries, IRM is the world leader in ERM qualifications. However, we do have two add-on certifications in Digital Risk Management (in association with Warwick University) and Supply Chain Risk Management. Both these certification exams can be given in India. 

Q: What are you doing to improve/drive better campus placements for your current students and alumni? What kind of jobs routinely come to campus? What would you say are the key recruitment trends for your college (observed over the past five years)?       

A: Indian companies across sectors have started to gradually migrate from risk management compliance to risk-based decision making and according to Bloomberg, the risk manager is suddenly becoming a hot job. Indian organisations are recruiting enterprise risk professionals at every level and IRM qualified professionals have been working in diverse fields across the globe for big four consultancy firms, risk research roles, industry risk teams, risk consultancy and advisory services, the risk function in start-ups and family businesses and across sectors to name a few.

After completion of the Level 1 exam and while pursuing the other Levels, students get access to our alumni group where they can network and also get access to job opportunities posted frequently. Additionally, we are also launching an online career centre very soon.