The Praxis Business School Panel debates the role B-schools should play

Kolkata witnessed the top stratum of corporate leaders and honchos in town to discuss a smoldering concern that faces management education – ‘B-schools are reducing themselves to being glorified placement agencies’ at a Panel Discussion organized by Praxis Business School on the occasion of its convocation.

The illustrious panel comprised:

Mr. Santosh Desai, MD & CEO of Future Brands Limited, Mr. K. Dasaratharaman, President of Specialities Business, Spencer’s Retail, Mr. Shankar Chatterjee, Managing Director of Bertling Logistics, Dr. Prithwis Mukerjee, Faculty, VG-SOM, IIT KGP and Praxis.

The session was moderated by Prof. Charanpreet Singh, Associate Dean of Praxis. Santosh Desai, K. Dasaratharaman and Shankar Chatterjee are all members of the Board of Governors of Praxis.

Each speaker used his distinctive approach to analyze the topic. K.Dasaratharaman made a student-centric point about destination being important – but journey being the reward. He emphasized that it’s not about the choice of ‘or’ but the tyranny of ‘and’. The discussion focused on the need for the Business Schools to execute their prime responsibility – imparting of good quality and relevant education –along with facilitating career opportunities. The trend is to measure the success of a B-school by its published placement record and the nature of the assurances it makes to the student community in this regard.

Mr. Shankar Chatterjee felt that it’s becoming increasingly important to question the business of a business school. He also felt that students today focus more on what they would get from the business and not what they can contribute to it. While there is an ever-increasing focus on immediate ROI, somewhere the fundamental function of a B-school is losing its importance.

In this context, Prof. Prithwis Mukherjee raised questions on the value addition that happens at B-Schools that themselves lack in initiatives like research –which, in his opinion, is imperative to development. He felt that the entire breed of students is reared with the purpose to mechanically follow and not create for others to follow, which is what a B-school should be encouraging.

The last speaker, Mr. Santosh Desai said that business is an amorphous body and it can’t be reduced to a model that succeeds with a certain set formulae. The industry itself does not have a homogeneous, well-recognized need, so it’s difficult for a B-school to cater accurately to it. Industry needs B-schools to act as amplifiers of unheard whispers of the customer rather than mere resource allocators. He also felt that the education system should allow the students to unleash their creativity and generate new ideas instead of pressuring them to succumb to conformity making them ‘well paid vegetables’.

The though provoking discussion was followed by a fiery round of Q&A where various questions ranging from reasons for recruiter’s being risk averse to the impact of Kapil Sibal’s proposals were raised and the panelists addressed them with elan.

As a response to a question, Mr. Santosh Desai very beautifully surmised that education system was one of the greatest social experiments.  A huge part of a person’s life is dedicated to the cause of education. One must appreciate this opportunity and prepare himself well at this stage so that he can reap its benefits for life.

The moderator, Prof Charanpreet Singh, played his part in keeping the discussion interesting and engaging.

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