Holistic development initiatives rise at B-schools

Industry desires that the MBA graduate should have holistic development. Socially Involved Projects (SIP) also leads to this and in turn, results in a study life balance (SLB) concept wherein the student enjoys the high demand student life of a MBA.

The objective of these projects is to create an awareness of the social issues and self development measured in terms of group working, negotiations, communication skills, ethical working etc. In many cases, the student could also become not just a manager but a leader himself or even an entrepreneur. SIP projects could include for example blood donation camps, eye camps, awareness of HIV etc.

One another noteworthy project adopted through the SIP group involved adopting a village and carrying out activities in the area of women empowerment, microfinance etc. Through these SIP projects, diverse groups of students, villagers, and other stakeholders come together, think of a plan and implement the same. The initial fright of how to approach, how to communicate with unknown persons, the negotiating skills and group dynamics are all practically learnt and implemented.

In implementing these SIP projects it is a case of perform or perish. Ways need to be evolved to ensure these projects are successful. The logistics of the entire project is sometimes very crucial and needs to be carefully studied. Thus for example, in a blood donation camp, the logistics aspects are extremely important for the success of the project.

SIP projects provide opportunities to the student to develop himself holistically. This will help him to hold himself in the corporate world – an important aspect which the corporate looks at in evaluating a student.

The writer is director, dean and HoD, DY Patil University,
Department of Business Management