Students with good communication and analytical skills are the preferred choice for the companies, says Chairman

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Chairman of Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi, A K Shrivastava talks at length about the vision of the institute to develop a pool of qualified management professionals and how they are moving ahead in the direction to achieve the same. He elaborates on the Internal Quality Assurance Cell which is responsible to manage the academic operation on a day-to-day basis to ensure a quality learning experience. Also, he talks extensively about the Corporate Resource Centre (CRC) which focuses on strengthening the industry-academia relationships.

AK Shrivastava is a post-graduate in management and has vast experience of 25 years of successfully running and managing entire affairs of the Asia-Pacific group

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: Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi is established with a vision to develop a pool of qualified management professionals to take the challenges of industry and lead the country in the era of competition. Our Institute is having following advantages:

• Extensive Industry interface
• Research Driven Academics
• International Exposure

 Our vision with a perfect combination of our teaching methodology is what I think differs from other institutes.

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

A: Academics at our institute is always evolving, and we believe that correct knowledge opens the minds to learn new things and develop a positive attitude towards the profession. Following initiatives are taken by the Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi to help students become more industry-ready.

• Establishing Centre of Excellence in Data Analytics and Management Research
• Enhancing global collaborations with International Exchange Programmes
• Enhancing learning resources and labs modules

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

A: Besides meeting the eligibility criteria i.e. Graduation with 50 per cent marks as per AICTE norms, the candidate should have the following attributes to be qualified for our institute:

• Good Communication
• Learning Approach
• Positive Attitude
• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills

For students to perform well, we have the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) headed by the Dean of the institute who look after the day-to-day operations of academics to ensure quality in every activity. The attendance and academic compliances of students are regularly monitored for suitable corrections if needed. The performance in examinations for each student is analysed and feedback taken from the faculty also. Followings are expected from students to get the top grade in our institute:

• Regularity in the lecture Session
• Regularity in Co-Curricular Activities
• Regularity in Extracurricular Activities
• Good performance in all examinations
• Discipline and dedication for academic excellence
• High degree of career orientations

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

A: The institute offers the following PGDM Programmes and all programs are best as compared to other institutions.

• PGDM -General (Dual Specialisation)
• PGDM -Marketing
• PGDM -International Business
• PGDM -Banking and Financial Services
• PGDM -Healthcare Management

The institute also offers the following International Programmes which are equally competitive:

• MBA in Healthcare Management (Program of RUDN University, Moscow, Russia)
• MSc In Big data and Business Analytics (Program of FOM University, Germany)

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: Our Corporate Resource Centre (CRC) is working extensively to interact with industry for training and placement of our students. Followings are the summary of activities done by CRC for placements of our students:

• Inviting Experts from Industry for interaction sessions
• Organising Industrial Visits
• Interacting with Alumni
• Career Counseling for the students
• Paid Summer Internship

If we talk about the recruitment trends, most of the companies who are looking for marketing profiles, are visiting our campus for recruitments.  In the last two years, we have witnessed increasing trends in Operations, Market Research and Logistics Management. Companies who are looking for Financial services management are also regular recruiters for our students. Candidates with good communication and excellent analytical skills are the preferred choice for the companies who are looking for HR Management Specialization Students from our campus