GLIM Chennai Dean talks about Upcoming Courses, Placement Training, AI inclusion in education

In an exclusive conversation with Shiksha.com, GLIM Chennai Dean, Dr Suresh Ramanathan shared details on changes in the admission process, upcoming unique courses, future collaborations, and more. Check out some informative excerpts from the interview below: 

Counted as one of the most preferred MBA institutes in India, Great Lakes Institute of Management (GLIM) Chennai offers cutting-edge management courses for business aspirants. In an exclusive conversation with Shiksha.com, GLIM Chennai Dean Dr Suresh Ramanathan shared details on changes in the admission process, upcoming unique courses, future collaborations, and more. Check out some informative excerpts from the interview below: 

Q: What skills are companies looking for in MBA graduates?

A: Companies are today looking for data-driven graduates with the technical ability to analyze large volumes of data and generate compelling insights that can help solve business problems. Therefore, technical agility combined with core business acumen are what makes an MBA graduate an attractive hire. Proficiency in data analysis, including statistical tools and data visualization platforms, enhances decision-making capabilities. Competence in financial modeling, market research, and business intelligence tools is crucial for strategic planning. Understanding cutting-edge tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning demonstrates adaptability and dexterity. Exposure to technology product management, SaaS, data science, and cybersecurity is highly valued by recruiters. 

On the soft-skills side, companies look for MBA graduates with strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills. Effective problem-solving, the ability to deal with abstract and incomplete information, and strategic thinking are crucial in dynamic business environments. The ability to collaborate in diverse teams and build professional networks is highly valued. In sum, MBA graduates must demonstrate the capacity to make data-driven decisions, think strategically to solve business problems, communicate persuasively, possess a global perspective and navigate ethical challenges. Employers look for individuals capable of contributing to long-term organizational goals and thriving in evolving circumstances, making them versatile assets in various industries.

Q: What is your vision for Great Lakes Institute of Management?

A: I view the Great Lakes Institute of Management as the creator and disseminator of knowledge that benefits three key stakeholders – students, industry, and society. At the very core lies our commitment to offer affordable, world-class management education to our students. Our ability to offer world-class education depends on how much new knowledge we are creating for the benefit of all three stakeholders, the knowledge that can help create future-ready leaders and entrepreneurs who can in turn shape the future of the companies they join or help start-up, and also have an impact on society at large.

Q: What are some major changes in Great Lakes admission process?

A: The admission process for students is rigorous - we adopt a profile-based evaluation, including academic record, work experience, Statement of Purpose etc., along with entrance scores in order to get a well-rounded understanding of the potential and background of each applicant. Further, the ‘personal interview’ offers us the opportunity to evaluate them across multiple dimensions and the final decision to admit or not is a function of a cumulative assessment done at different points of time during the admission process.

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Q: Does Great Lakes train students for placements?

A: There are multiple aspects to the learning that we offer our students. We believe preparation for placement occurs both in and out of the classroom. Students must master theoretical and applied understanding of various functional disciplines through thought-provoking lectures combined with challenging assignments, simulations, and role plays that provide them the ability to integrate complex information and develop problem-solving skills for decision-making. Equally important is the development of all-round soft skills including story-telling and communication, ability to work effectively in teams, empathy, etc. The third aspect is the development of sought-after hard skills and knowledge in sunrise areas including technology product management and data science. We offer our students the opportunity to obtain certification in product management in partnership with a leading e-commerce and fintech company.  Over the years, we have learnt through continuous feedback and inputs from the Industry that they value MBA graduates with eclectic and dynamic skillset. So, in addition to the coursework, we offer multiple interventions to our students to build an arsenal of skills across the board allowing them to hit the ground running immediately upon graduation. Our ability to adapt our curriculum in a very agile manner to suit recruiter needs sets us apart from most of our competitors.

Q: Many top management institutions are launching various programmes for working professionals. Is your institute also planning to follow the same footsteps?

A: Great Lakes has in fact, been a pioneer in this space – right from its inception, Great Lakes has offered curated programs to suit the needs of working professionals. Our part-time Executive MBA and PGPM (Flex) programs are targeted at upwardly mobile professionals aspiring to grow and lead their organizations. This apart we have a separate Corporate L&D division that designs customized programs for employees of companies seeking to upskill their workforce; Furthermore, through our online partner, Great Learning, we offer multiple courses and certifications spanning differing duration to address a variety of learning needs for the working population.

Q: What are some new and unique courses in GLIM’s bucket?

A: Great Lakes, Chennai is launching our online PGDM program shortly. This program aims to democratize MBA education in India, making it more accessible and affordable to individuals, some of whom are looking to upskill themselves after spending years in industry while others are relatively young but wanting the flexibility of learning at home or elsewhere at a fraction of the cost they would incur at a physical campus.
We have recently announced our Fellow Program in Management (FPM) offering in the Marketing track. This is a one-of-a-kind program in the country, benchmarked to global standards and designed to produce some of the top-most scholars in the country. Each student will work closely with faculty and receive high-quality training and mentorship in research and teaching. What’s more, each student with be co-guided/mentored by top international faculty from leading institutions in the US and Europe. We are also exploring academic alliances with international schools of outstanding repute to bolster the overall academic experience for our research scholars.

Q: AI is taking over the design industry aggressively. Is GLIM planning to introduce AI learning with respect to management education?

A: Ideally, an MBA program with a specialization in AI could incorporate courses on AI-driven design tools, automation, and predictive analytics. Students can learn to leverage AI algorithms for market trend analysis, consumer behavior prediction, and personalized product recommendations. Collaborative projects with tech companies and hands-on experiences with AI tools enhance practical skills. Integration of AI-focused case studies and guest lectures from industry experts can provide real-world insights. Additionally, emphasizing the ethical implications of AI in design fosters responsible innovation. MBA programs should adapt curriculum to reflect the evolving intersection of AI and design, preparing graduates to lead in a tech-driven creative landscape. We may likely offer this in the future.

Q: Please tell us about the courses offered at GLIM that are popular among aspirants.

A: All our courses – the two full-time, residential programs as well as the two part-time executive education programs are very popular with aspirants.

Q: Are there any scholarships offered that can benefit candidates for higher education?

A: Great Lakes has instituted scholarships to students assessed on the basis of merit-cum-means and has been awarding this for more than a decade now. This is given out of an endowment created by our Founder, Prof. Bala V Balachandran that recognizes the high achievers and rewards their commitment to learning and progress. Students are identified on the basis of their performance throughout their academic journey with us are selected for these scholarships every year.

Q: What are some latest collaborations Great Lakes Institute of Management is looking forward to?

A: Since we are one of a handful of schools in the country to have the double crown of AACSB and AMBA accreditations, this makes us a preferred partner for many international universities seeking alliances in India for collaborations on student-exchange and doctoral programs, dual-degree certifications, research work with our faculty members and research scholars etc. We are also excited to explore industry collaborations to create ‘Centers for Excellence’ to expand the horizons of knowledge in sunrise areas.

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