“To Study the Industry-Institutes Interface with Reference to Management Education in RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur”

SHAHARE PADMAKAR

Assistant Professor – MBA Department

Govindrao Wanjari College of Engg. & Tech., Nagpur – 441204

RTMNU, Nagpur University, Nagpur (Maharashtra – India)

padmakars21@gmail.com

Mobile No: +91 – 9765900862

Abstract:

Interaction between institute and industry is widely recognized as an essential requirement to train and develop the right kind of technical manpower necessary to sustain and promote industrial and economic growth. Interaction with industry is the need of an hour.

With the advent of globalization and opening up of Indian economy to outside world, competition among the industries has become stiff. So industries also need good students who are well aware of industry standards and capable of achieving so. Therefore there is an urgent need of interaction of industry and academics where academic institutes can prepare students for jobs in multinational companies and industry will also be benefited by possibility of receiving well-trained workforce. This paper is emphasis on objectives of industry institute interaction and whether RTMNU is trying to bridge the gap between industry and Management Institutes in Nagpur University.

Keywords: Industry, Management Institutes, Skills etc.   

INTRODUCTION:

Management Education which is a major indicator of social change in a society and strives to churn out knowledgeable individuals who will contribute to the society actively, find employment and develop a positive attitude towards life. But now higher education is on the crossroads. There is very little linkage between what is taught in academic institutions and what is required in actual field of employment. Hence there is great need of an efficient Industry Institution Interface. We need to look increasingly to how academic institutions can work in collaboration with each other to advance the process of innovation across all industry sectors.

Management education forms the backbone of development of a nation. Industry is the major consumer of technical institution product. The real requirement of industry will be explored only through effective interaction with them and Interaction between the industry and institute is now widely recognized. The industry is poised to face Global competition, Unemployment & underemployment. A good & vibrant Industry institute Interaction is always required by both sides.

Management students of RTM Nagpur University is facing problem of unemployment tremendously and on the other hand industries are complaining about inadequate availability of skilled human resources. For students it is important because they get exposure to industry and subsequent placement in various disciplines.

Literature Review:

According to Elliot et al. (1994) MBA programmes place too much emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills and neglect human skills and do little to produce managers who are capable of meeting challenges of global business environment and cope with increasingly diverse workforce. Smith and Tamer (1984) said the historically, colleges and universities have been extremely slow in adapting to social change.

Zahid (2008) concluded that higher education and industry linkages should remain alive for constant updating of courses. By creating the partnership between universities and industry, both can benefit from resources of each other.

Baruch & Lemming (1996) suggested that “The aims of MBA programs are to prepare graduates for managerial roles, help them gain a better understanding of the industrial and business world and its needs, enrich their skills and provide them with competencies relevant to their careers.” They further state that an effective MBA program must continually adapt content and structure as the needs and demands of the business world also change. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial attributes of MBA programs.

According to Baruch and Lemming there is considerable agreement about some areas taught in a conventional MBA. They identify core subjects such as finance, human resource management, international business and marketing as fundamental to MBA programs. However, consistent with their observations concerning the need for flexibility and relevance, they identify that many scholars frequently put forward some subjects for the curriculum addressing areas such as: entrepreneurship, information technology, international human resources management, global environment, production, operations management, business ethics is an emerging issue that can be seen as a critical cent of an MBA program to broaden the outlook of future managers so as to tackle key issues now facing business.

Research Methodology:

This study used primary as well as secondary data. All the primary Data is collected by mail survey (GoogleDoc) and by using secondary sources which includes Business Magazines, News papers, Internet and Journals.

Objectives of the Study:

• To identify the benefits of Industry Institute Interface.
• To find out the approach of Institute and Industry of RTM Nagpur University.
• To make suitable suggestions for development of industry and institute.

Some Reflection of Industry-Management Institute with reference to RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur

To do so a questionnaire survey has been made among 92 respondents including Academicians, Industry personnel and Alumni from Management Institute from RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur. The questionnaire has been developed keeping in mind the industry and management institute interaction and the requirement of the present day industries. Que.1: Is your Institute / Industry has a Industry-Institute-Interface?

While assessing above question it has been observed that out of total 92 respondents, Majority of respondents are agreed that their Institute or Industry has an Industry-Institute-Interface and some respondents are disagreed. Total 41 (43%) respondents are agreed, 10 (10%) are agreed, 25 (26%) respondents are neutral, 12 (13%) respondents are disagreed, and 4 (4%) are strongly disagreed.

This shows that either institute of RTM, Nagpur University or industry has Industry-Institute-Interface.

Que.2: Is your Institute / Industry approaches for Guest lecturer, seminar, case study, workshop, research project, placement, skill development program on regular basis?

While assessing above question it has been observed that out of total 92 respondents, majority of respondents are agreed that their Institutes or Industry approaches for Guest lecturer, seminar, case study, workshop, research project, placement, skill development program on regular basis. Total 46 (48%) respondents are agreed, 18 (19%) are strongly agreed, 23 (24%) respondents are neutral, only 5 (5%) respondents are disagreed. There is mixed reaction from respondent that the management institute or Industries approaches for Guest lecturer, seminar, case study, workshop, research project, placement, skill development program on regular basis.    Que. 3: Can you share / ask employability skills requirements while syllabus framing?

While assessing above question it has been observed that out of total 92 respondents, Majority of respondents are agreed that they share / ask employability skills requirements while syllabus framing. Total 48 (50%) respondents are agreed, 9 (9%) are strongly agreed, 21 (23%) respondents are neutral, 8 (8%) respondents are disagreed, and 6 (6%) are strongly disagreed. This shows that the industry people share or academicians also asking employability skills requirements while syllabus framing.

Difference in industry needs and educational curriculum: Industry needs are constantly changing. However, the curriculum in business schools is not changed as regularly as required by the industry. Moreover, there is no uniformity in the standard and quality of education provided. Since most of the management graduates and post-graduates are primarily absorbed by the industry, there is a need to match the curriculum and structure of management education to industry requirements

Benefits of Industry- Institute Interaction:

Close interaction between the institute and the industry is seen as the platform for showcasing best practices, latest technological advancements and their implementation and impact on the Industry. It is basically considered to improve the quality of technical and vocational education adequately to meet the needs of the industry and economy. Mutual benefit is derived from the shared expertise and experiences between the industry and the institute.

Benefits for different shareholders are as follows:

For the Institute:

• Greater resource generation.
• Makes learning process more interesting and motivating by bringing in knowledge of current trends and best practices in management
• Collaboration, material support, consultancy and recognition for teachers.
• More relevant curriculum.
• Industry exposure and experience of working in cross-functional teams for students leading to good placements
• Positive image in minds of the students, society and accreditation society

For the Industry:

• It can have access to the latest technological and management developments.
• Industry can keep their workforce updated in terms of skills and knowledge through refresher
• Courses and other training programmes conducted by the institutes.
• It is able to get fresh and well trained technical personnel i.e. ready to employ executives.
• Industry can get their research work done through institutions and save cost of R&D.
• Reduction in recruiting costs. Cost effective productivity.
• Social image and publicity

For the Faculty:

• It gives good understanding of the industry and helps in building up of useful case studies for improving the quality of future teaching.
• It provides an ability to identify research programmes of industrial importance.
• Teachers should use case studies and other database, virtual education to derive experience

For the Students:

• Gaining real life experiences.
• Application of theoretical knowledge.
• Enhancement of oral and written skills.
• Decision making on career choice.
• Pre-placement Opportunities
• Understanding the work culture of industries.

Industry-Institute Joint Efforts:

• Jointly Conducting Training / Awareness Programme for Industry / Institute People.
• Organizing seminars / conferences / Awareness Programme for Industry / Institute People.
• Undertaking Any Social Responsibility.
• Industry-Institute merger / adaptation of institutes / programmes by industry.

Platform for Industry –Institute –Interaction:

• Establishing Entrepreneurship Development Cell at the institute level. (AICTE role) Conducting action Research by making intensive interaction with the industry.
• Governing Body Members: provide guidance for improving efficiency and effectiveness of institute programs, new courses, activities and administration; ascertain if teachers are delivering relevant knowledge; manage institute branding and promotion plan
• Syllabus advisory Panel: Syllabus Advisory Panel, Visiting Lectures from industry: Analyze the gaps between syllabus and industry practice and eliminate those gaps, add relevant subjects to improve knowledge and skills of students to make them industry-ready
• Chief Guests, Key note speakers, Invitees at summits, workshops, seminars, launch of new courses brings in external view of management education. Arrange Webinars for those who cannot be physically present
• Alumni Association and Alumni Meet: Interaction of students and teachers with Alumni working in the industry
• Institute, Teachers and Students can be members of Professional Bodies to attend and get benefit of their programs
• Industry members as judges/experts for various competitions

CONCLUSION:

There is a need for a more enhanced partnership between higher education and the business community. As India moves further towards a more knowledge dependent economy, we need to look increasingly to how universities can work with business to advance the process of innovation and renewal across all industry sectors. This should lead to a higher level of interaction and seamlessness between business and higher education. Even from the respondent with reference to RTM Nagpur University, it proves that s institutes of RTM, Nagpur University or industry has Industry-Institute-Interface, while syllabus framing, there is coordination between Institutes and Industry and positive approach for Guest lecturer, seminar, case study, workshop, research project, placement, skill development program on regular basis.

References:

1. Smruti Patre and Rashmi Gupta: “A study on the perceptions of management institute faculty towards HRD Culture, with reference to Nagpur University” the IUP journal of Management research Vol-X, No-4, article No-44
2. Abhijit Bora, “Higher Education: A Few Stray Thoughts, University News, Weekly Journal Higher Association of Indian Education Universities, Vol – 49, Nov 14-20, 2011
3. http://www.bizresearchpapers.com/7.Segon.pdf
4. Martin Michaela (2000) “Managing University Industry Relations: A study of Institutional Practices from 12 different Countries” International Institute For Educational Planning/UNESCO
5. Expectations of Industry from Management Institutes – An all India survey conducted by NMIMS during 2002-2003 with financial support from AICTE.
6. Paul Saibal (2010) “Industry Institute Interaction for Long Term Benefits” Features SME World http://www.smeworld.org/story/features/industry-academia-interaction.php
7. Technical Teachers Training Institute Chandigarh (1997). Handbook on Industry-Institute Interaction. Him Khand Printers. Chandigarh