- Professor, in the wake of COVID-19, how has the academic curriculum evolved digitally to ensure continued quality education for the PGDM students? How are the classes which are being conducted virtually, are presenting a seamless experience to the students?MDI Murshidabad (MDIM) always strives to keep abreast with the latest changes and face the challenges through the required transformation and upgrade. To address the unprecedented scenario, MDIM took advantage of cutting-edge technology. From the beginning of the current academic year, MDIM introduced classes through online mode by leveraging various digital online delivery platforms. E-books and E-study materials were provided to the students to the extent possible.Online Learning Management System (LMS) was introduced through which quizzes, assignments, study materials, and marks are shared with students. Evaluation of students is also carried out through LMS. Coming to the classroom delivery of lectures, the online sessions also involve real-time interaction with students, including group activities, through audio-video media. Case studies are discussed in the same way as were during classroom sessions. The transition of academic activity to a digital platform has been carried out seamlessly in a phased manner to the satisfaction of Faculty Members and Students.
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- Extracurriculars make a huge part of a B-School student’s resume, are there any mechanisms through which the effect of the pandemic can be minimalised on the overall growth of a candidate? How is peer to peer collaborative learning being maintained during these times?The pandemic situation though has narrowed the space of extracurricular activities, students of MDIM participate in various management events, quizzes, competitions of other renowned Management Institutes and organize the same by themselves. Various intra-institute events periodically are being organized for the overall growth of students. Additionally, through various online group activities among the students and a mentor/mentee system, MDIM continued its peer to peer collaborative learning facility.
- College clubs and societies provide one of the most important platforms to demonstrate & further build on leadership skills. How are they being operated remotely at MDIM?As rightly said college clubs and societies facilitate the building up of leadership skills. Like the online classes, the events pertaining to these clubs/committees are being organized through various digital delivery platforms. Webinars / Online Conferences are also being held periodically.There are many student-driven clubs/societies in MDIM mentored by the Faculty Members such as Marketing Club-MarKrone, Finance Club – Finartha, Analytics Club-Analytica, HR Club - HrUdbhav, Operations Club - Opcellence, Economics club – Eco-minds, Cultural Committee, SR Committee - Prayas, Sports Committee-Sportscomm, Adventure Club, HnM Committee, Yoga Club, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Startups-Vyavsay, PR Media Committee, Alumni Committee, and Placement Committee.
- When it comes to examinations & grading, has there been a massive change in percentage allocation for assignments?Currently, all online examinations/ assignments/ quizzes are being conducted over the LMS used by MDIM. It’s an open-source, robust, and secured system and can be accessed only through proper authentication and authorization. Percentage allocation for assignments is at the discretion of the Faculty Member. Since MDIM now boasts an effective online teaching system and Learning Management System the examinations/assignments/quizzes are being conducted per established norms and seamlessly, as in normal offline operations.
- How has MDIM reshaped its international collaborations, to adapt to the global pandemic? What are the measures which are being undertaken to maintain the employability of the students?MDIM had a global partnership for student development programs with SOAS UK that was moved to an online partnership. Other SDPs (Student Development Programs) and Faculty exchange programs that are currently under development are also being processed for online partnerships. A plethora of projects helps introduce students to the nuances of corporate requirements. A multitude of webinars with participation from senior officials of renowned companies has also facilitated the process. The placement committee organizes mock interviews for students to get them accustomed to the recruitment process.
- How does MDIM conduct the summer internship & final placement process virtually?The Placement Committee works for final and summer placements of both the batches. It is responsible for getting companies on campus to hire students, for full-time employment, or for 2 months summer internship. The Institute is sufficiently equipped to provide all the necessary facilities needed to conduct the processes, whether on campus or via video conferencing.
- Leveraging the power of video: We are leveraging video in several ways to make the campus recruiting experience come alive. Ways we are using this to conduct the process are:
- Virtual career fairs / pre-placement talks: Career fairs and campus pre-placement talks help companies to showcase their culture, employee experience, and employer brand. In the current scenario, our students get similar exposure in a virtual environment
- Pre-recorded video interviews: Here the companies optimize the screening time required for going through CVs of the students. As personality is a very important trait for any organization, this process enables the employers to put forth custom questions and view responses per their convenience, in order to arrive at the final list of shortlisted candidates
- Live Interviews: Final round of Personal Interview entails one to one interaction between the employers and potential candidates, facilitated by live video interviews
- Inviting industry experts for Guest lectures, conclaves, and panel discussions in the Webinar format.
- Enhanced Process Management:
- Schedule interviews and manage each stage of the process seamlessly by implementing process structure and guidelines
- Collaborative approach of students and administration ensures seamless communication and better response management
- Provide timely updates to all the stakeholders of the campus virtual hiring process
- Leveraging the power of video: We are leveraging video in several ways to make the campus recruiting experience come alive. Ways we are using this to conduct the process are:
- Many aspirants today are skeptical about pursuing a virtual business degree – they are either unsure about the overall quality of the program or if they would be able to get placed, what would you suggest to them from your immense experience?MDIM currently does not offer a virtual business qualification. However, there is a likelihood that such programs would gather steam in the foreseeable future. Our current experience with online delivery of sessions have taught us that obstacles can be effectively surmounted if handled effectively, and thereby in the envisioned future online programs may be elevated to the standard of offline ones, from the perspectives of quality and marketability. Moreover, MDIM has garnered substantial knowledge and expertise to conduct short term and professional courses, along with handling online PGDM program. We are, thus, well on our way to market leadership in the foreseeable future for virtual business courses.
- Professor, how would MDIM’s admission process for the PGDM program be conducted virtually this year? On which parameters would a candidate be evaluated?As per practice, we would prefer to call shortlisted applicants in various GD-PI centres across the country. However, due to the COVID19 pandemic, we will follow the best practice recommended by the Govt. Authorities. MDIM has an overall profile based selection process, wherein weightage has been given to CAT score, Academic marks, Work Experience, Extra-Curricular Activities, Gender diversity, Academic diversity as such.
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