FAST FACTS
Location: Nerul, Navi Mumbai
Director: Dr. A.K. Sen Gupta
Approval/ Accreditation: AICTE approved, applied for NBA accreditation
Flagship programme: MMS Student intake: 180
Fees (full course): Rs. 370,000
Board & lodging (two years): No hostel. (Living expenses based on actuals)
Full-time faculty: 56 (7 with PhD)
Faculty with industry experience (over 10 years): 7
Top recruiters: HDFC Bank, Morgan Stanley, Patni Computer Systems
Student activities: Virtualities (management fest), SIES Journal of Management, alumni portal
Web site: www.siescoms.edu
Other programmes: PhD (management), PG Programme in Social Enterprise Management (PGDSEM) 1 year PGDM in Pharmaceutical/Biotech Management 2 years


The aroma of idli-vada sambhar from the canteen is the first thing I notice when I walk into SIES. “Yes, we are very South Indian in our food habits,” says a student who is taking me around. “Half the staff here is from the South, but we do get vada pav too.” 

SIES is a linguistic minority institution, and half the students are admitted based on their mother tongue. The institute is housed in one wing of SIES’ engineering college and shares most  facilities like the auditorium and canteen. Classes are sacrosanct, and one can see students literally scurrying away to be punctual. “We consider discipline as paramount, and students are encouraged to wear professional attire as well,” says Prof. A.K.Sen Gupta, Director. 

The school offers an MMS programme as well as an AICTE approved PGDM programme, and in general, for most  courses the classes are conducted together for both batches, and placements are also common. Students are happy about placement initiatives, but would like to see better profiles coming to the campus. Each programme has its own course director, and administration of the programme is fairly decentralised, though according to students they would like a slightly smoother coordination. 

The school’s alumni network is strong and meets quite regularly. Alumni contribute both to teaching as well as mentoring the students. An advisor is also on board, to enable students to manage their career decisions better. 

Students speak very highly of the Leadership Trait Development Programme (LTDP). “It forces us to look inwards and understand where we lack and take corrective steps,” says a student. The faculty time is an area of concern for some of the students and they would like the faculty to spend more time after the class for the students.  The school’s focus on MDPs and consulting is in the nascent stages and only a few faculty members are active in the domain.

Space is a constraint, and students feel that an independent campus would do wonders. Another area of concern is the launching of named specialisations by the institute. “This might eat into our placements,” remarks a student.

True to its links with the Kanchi Mutt, the school also offers, a special programme on softer issues and spiritually in management programmes. Students give me a knowing smile when I ask them how effective the programme is.

Another initiative that Dr. Sen Gupta is proud of, is the corporate tie-ups on some courses. He refers to them as ‘corporate ownership’. For example, the ERP course is owned by Hexaware Technologies. “Students are happy that they get trained on relevant skills and concepts in this initiative. It is a win-win game,” concludes Dr. Sen Gupta.