FAST FACTS
Location: Pundag, Ranchi
Director: Dr S P Mishra
Approval/ Accreditation: AICTE approved
Flagship programme: PGDBM
Student intake: 75
Fees (full course): Rs 235,000
Board & lodging (two years): Rs. 28,800;
Admission test cut-off: MAT: 400
Full-time faculty: 12 (Professors: 4; Asst Professors: 3; Lecturers: 5)
Faculty with industry experience (over 10 years): 4
Average placement salary: Rs. 2 lakhs
Top recruiters: Hong Kong Bank, HUL, LG Electronics, Usha Martin, ICICI Bank
Student activities: Management quiz competition, blood donation camps, alumni meet
Web site: www.ismranchi.org
Other programmes: Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering Technology: 36 months
A sizeable number of students in and around Ranchi, who want to pursue a career in management consider ISMR as a viable option. Our campus tour along with V N Sinha, Senior Corporate Relations Officer, began at the institute’s new building, which is currently under construction. Moving on, we notice that the computer lab and library are bustling with students, busy preparing for their end-semester exams.
The PGDBM course is divided into four semesters and students complete the compulsory courses in disciplines such as Economics, Quantitative Techniques, Computers, Behavioural Sciences and Accounting. In the second year, the students choose a specialisation: finance, marketing, information technology, HR, or entrepreneurship. New electives that are being offered include strategic management, management of innovations, project management and business ethics. The summer placement project after the second semester is usually of six-week duration in different industrial organisations including those in the developmental sector. The project report is evaluated
A unique feature of ISMR is a mandatory project on social development management through a Non-governmental organisation (NGO). The objective for the students is to make efforts in streamlining the operations of these NGOs and develop perspectives that help in organisational capacity building. The institute also conducts skill development programmes for students who hail from minority communities. The batch ratio, this year, favours girls. There’s a hostel for female students while the boys’ hostel is still under construction. A bus service that operates at fixed interval connects the campus to the city
My interaction with students yielded a mixed response. Last year placement was 100 percent and the average remuneration was Rs 3.2 lakhs per annum. However, this year placements took a beating due to the economic slowdown. Most of the students said that some faculty members are very good, the course structure is sound and is revised according to the needs of industry, and they are encouraged to participate in national management events.
On the other hand, the students shared their concern about the infrastructure that needs to be improved (for instance the library could have more e-journals, a behavioural lab could be in place), and the need for more industry interaction. It was also noted that faculty don’t have independent cabins and there is limited thrust on research. For instance, faculty involvement in consultancy activity and conferences is minimal. An effort could be made to promote more engagement between all the stakeholders.
However, two things are evident. One, students comprise a bright bunch focused on excelling in their careers. Two, faculty and those who set up the institute are committed to the students’ overall development.
