However, Prof. Rajagopal is also the first to admit that there are challenges along the way. While in R & D he could set his own pace, but in his current position he has to be prepared for the fact that things can hectic for an academic. As far as the students of today, he says, “I feel that there are many students who are not in it for learning and gaining knowledge but mostly concerned about employment prospects. It’s a challenge to try and change that mindset and to cultivate an interest in learning. Regardless, we strive to optimize our resources and give them the best education possible.”
Faculty members at SCMS Cochin try to do that by employing new-age teaching pedagogy to make things more identifiable for students. Prof. Rajagopal sheds light on his own teaching techniques, saying, “Whether I am teaching statistics or ethics, I try to relate the concepts they are learning to current scenarios and things happening in the industry. But if you have to offer a certain quality of education, it begins with the kind of students you select. SCMS Cochin is quite particular about quality, right from that stage to the placements.” Prof. Rajagopal stresses this last point, which says a lot about the quality of the students at the institute.
To offer practical training to his students, Prof. Rajagopal also recently took them on an industry visit to Volvo. There are several such industry visits organized by the B School to give students exposure to varied fields. And, as Prof. Rajagopal explains, they are an important experience for students: “The Volvo trip was a big learning experience for them because they realized that you can’t compartmentalize management education; it is a sum of all activities and different streams overlap at one point or another. We have about three to four industry visits every year, which means plenty of exposure for the students.”
Prof. Rajagopal also talks about the Industry Interface sessions with experts and their influence on students. He believes that in addition to classroom learning, such experiences help students network and can have an impact during the placement season. “Things get very competitive when recruiters come over for placements,” he explains. “You can’t deny the fact that employers are looking for industry ready professionals. The focus of education at SCMS Cochin is to groom professionals who can also make a difference to the society.” These concluding words say a lot about Prof. Rajagopal’s desire to be a part of the process of educating tomorrow’s leaders – this dedication translates into a rich learning experience for students at the institute.
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