We focus on preparing students & make them ready to face interviews, says Dean of AIMED

In a conversation with Shiksha.com, Dean of AIMED - Aachi Institute of Management and Entrepreneurial Development S Amos Rolston talks in detail about their strategy of preparing students for the corporate world. He explains why is it important to give practical exposure to students. Rolston has over 30 years of industry and academia experience in India and abroad.

Read the excerpts of the interview below:

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

A: AIMED- Aachi Institute of Management and Entrepreneurial Development is a unique management institute that started with the sole intention of imparting practical knowledge and hands-on training to students in all areas of Management. Practices that differ us from other institutes are:

1. Weekly Practice School (WPS): This a unique methodology of two-weeks classroom learning and two-weeks Industry training, wherein, students get hands-on training in Human Resource (HR), Production, Accounts & Finance, Warehouse & Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Quality & Exports and Operations and Events. From the first day, students are encouraged to gain first-hand knowledge from the industry experts.
2. Part-time job: Financial independence is key to sustain and pursue studies. At AIMED, we offer part-time jobs to students in their chosen field of interest within our group companies.
3. 100% placement: All placements are in our group companies, according to the student’s interest and performance. Demand from other companies is also high as our students are well trained and equipped during their study period.

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

A: We understand that the most important factor in today’s time is to have an updated curriculum. But the curriculum is a broad term. It involves various factors that together contribute to help students become industry-ready. Some of the factors are:

1. Industry mentor: Each Student is mentored by top management executive of our group companies and trained hands-on in all management functions.
2. Street-smart selling/business: A unique training model, wherein, students are grouped in pairs and given the task of street selling of different products. This opens the practical understanding of learning on the job, where the challenges are overcome and opportunities are grabbed. Students get to experience 4Ps of Marketing practically and learn from their own experiences.
3. Weekly guest lecture: Every Saturday we have guest lectures facilitated by eminent personalities, such as CEOs, MDs, celebrities and achievers from different walks of life. Students are encouraged to interact and discuss during this session as this helps to break the shackles of fear and shyness.

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

A: To qualify for the institute, one most important factor is to be eligible. The eligibility criteria say that the applicant must be graduate in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent. And, it is mandatory to have a valid score of one of the qualifying exam-CAT, MAT and TACNET. Apart from this, we look for zeal and passion in students towards learning. They should be open to unlearn and learn

To score well in academics, students must be dedicated and attentive during classes. They must adhere to all the tasks and assignments given during classrooms and training periods. This will help them in innovating and also learn time management skills

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

A: Out of all the programmes, we believe our three programmes are the best:

1. Post Graduate Diploma in Management & Entrepreneurship (PGDME), an 18-month full-time off-campus programme of Bharathidasan University. It is one of a kind programme, where equal weightage is given to studies and practical learning. Our hand holding pedagogy and way of learning is a welcome approach to all students and especially for the first gen graduates. Our Mantra is to be an Entrepreneur (business) or be an Intrapreneuer (work like a businessman). We assure 100 per cent placement after successful completion of the programme.
2. Post Graduate Diploma in Family Managed Business (PGDFMB), an 18-month full-time off-campus programme of Bharathidasan University.The programme has been designed to enhance the ideating skill, expansions, diversifying and developing the existing business and new ventures.  To hone the skill of taking the family business to the next level. It helps students to gain complete understanding and study practically, family business in a holistic way through regular projects and assignments.
3. Certificate in Retail Sales (CRS) is a three-month course offered by AIMED. This programme has been designed to focus more on practical training. So our curriculum has 80 per cent of practical exposure with 20 per cent of basic theory sessions. The course covers retail environment training, billing, merchandising, aisle sales, counter sales, warehouse handling, loading and unloading, stock keeping and customer relationship, team work, grooming and basic etiquette. We assure 100 per cent placements to students in this course

Q: What are you doing to improve 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: The ROI of any management institute can be measured in terms of quality placements. We focus on preparing students in a way that they are ready to face any interview. For that purpose, we:

1. Train and equip our students during the study period. We offer employment to students in our group companies in their chosen field of interest such as HR, Operations, Production, Finance & Accounts Department, Quality & Exports, Warehouse & Logistics, Sales & Marketing, R&D, Scientific Food Testing Department, Media & Design and SAP
2. Have a network of corporates where they keep us updated about their requirements in HR, Sales and Marketing, Operations, Warehouse and Logistics.

Our students are in demand for their practical exposure and don’t mind getting their hands dirty when needed.