“Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself”
-John Dewey
This quote seems self-explanatory and most of us would not care to give it a second thought. But, can we really say that it applies to our real lives? Do we really learn anything in our classes that is pertinent? Well, we used to think on the same lines until we started doing our MBA course at XUB.
Any reader of this article who is also an MBA student or has been one might have gotten some idea about what we’re talking about, for he/she may have experienced the same scenario. It sounded almost ridiculous when our batch mates were asked to wear business formals, to appear for our group discussion which was arranged by our seniors at the very onset. It was sweltering outside and we were dressed in complete business attire with boys clean shaven and girls with their ponytails, and that too in a closed room with no ventilation which added to the experience. After a few days, we were asked to appear for our interview process, following which, we were given valuable inputs by our respective seniors who were playing the role of company recruiters. We were told that no matter how much we hated this concept, it was for our own good, like saying that has ever worked for anyone! Since then, we have been exposed to a number of case discussions and business simulations, which depicted real-life business scenarios. Our dislike for the whole process kept mitigating as we started enjoying the process each time it was held.
Subsequently, academic concepts were being practically applied. ‘Communication Skills for Managers’ sessions saw the practice of various theories, from ‘how to give a presentation’ and ‘how to write business letters’ to ‘how to conduct group discussions and personal interviews’ and ‘the dining etiquettes that need to be followed in a formal setting’. Every session was conducted in a classroom environment. First-year and second-year students started getting involved in Live Projects that gave a holistic perspective of the industrial implications. It provided the students with an understanding of how theories and concept are practically applied. The business school competitions, while depriving the students of their sleep, gave a simulation experience that tested their skills and learnings. The shift from theoretical learning to real life-simulation was unprecedented, for all of us, who are by default resistant to change. It seems almost surreal now in retrospect.
And then cameXamboree, an entirely student-driven fest. From marketing, promotions, decor to organizing the gala night, every element is driven by students and student bodies. It is a test of the practical application of our knowledge in running the fest. The first day of Xamboree will witness three such gaming simulations in Chakravyuh, Gladiator and Skill City (Gaming Committees of Xamboree), Case-In-Point (XIMAHR - The HR Association of Xavier School of Human Resource Management),Urbrainiac (HabituX - The UMG Association of Xavier Center for Urban Management and Governance), Proact (XIMAHR and HabituX), Spardha (RMAX - Rural Managers’ Association of Xavier School of Rural Management), Ascend (InfinX - Association of Masters of Business Finance),and Business Buzz (ConXerv - Committee for Sustainability of Xavier School of Sustainability).
Chakravyuh is a business event that tests ones’ skills and acumen in understanding and resolving the different upcoming challenges in our lives, presented through business case studies to make us better accustomed to dealing with them. Gladiator is an assessment of an individual’s business knowledge and managerial prowess, whereas Skill City emphasizes the significance of developing and maintaining soft skills. It is a platform to showcase and build upon interpersonal skills. The competition is based on the ability to be creative and innovative, while also bringing to the table the proficiency to communicate ideas clearly, formulate strategies to suit the team needs, and cultivate team spirit to emerge as the winner. Case-In-Point is a problem-solving simulation for budding talent professional focussed on research, analytical, comprehension and presentation skills. Urbrainiac is a business model competition which brings an idea along with its framework which, while being economically viable for implementation by private investors, helps in overcoming city challenges, and Proact presents a strategic case competition filled with puzzles and quizzes. Spardha, a social entrepreneurship competition, enables students to generate new and feasible ideas, relevant to the rural sector. Ascend is a research-based competition wherein participants are expected to identify the most suitable asset, subject to the constraints provided, and a business plan competition called Business Buzz tests the decision-making acumen of future managers in providing innovative solutions to problems plaguing the modern society.
Such events represent an indirect and real-life management exhibition. The learning and experience that comes with it is extremely enriching. The fest provides a platform to the students to engage in multiple business games that’ll test their analytical and decision-making skills. XUB is offering the entire gamut of experiences that any MBA aspirant dreams of, in an encapsulated form with Xamboree.
