Dr Parag Chandrakant Kalkar is Professor & Director, STE Society’s Sinhgad Institute of Business Administration & Computer Application, Kusgaon (Bk.), Lonavala, Pune with 18 years of Teaching Experience.
Dr Parag Kalkar holds qualifications in M.Com, DBM, MMS, FDP (IIMA), Ph.D and has Written book on “Business Administration” for Commerce students.
He has also written Training Book for Larsen & Toubro Switchgear Training Center on “For your Health & Happiness”
He conducted Yoga & Stress Management Programme at Larsen & Toubro Switchgear Training Center from 1995 to 2001 and participated in Faculty Development Programme (FDP) at IIM Ahmedabad in 2002-03 (4.5 months residential)
Dr Kalkar is recognized PG Teacher of University of Pune & approved As Professor & Director in University of Pune. Senate Member of University of Pune (Representing Post Graduate Teachers) from August 2005 till date.
He is Chairman, Board of studies in Foreign Trade Management, University of Pune 2012-2014 & is recognized research guide of Pune University in Organization Management.
He is life member of :
o Indian Society for Technical Education,
o Indian Commerce Association,
o Indian Science Congress,
o National Institute of Personal Management
o National HRD
o Indian Society for Training & Development
• Member of International Stress Management Association (ISMA India)
• Participated in International Educational Seminars & Exhibitions in Dubai (UAE), Damam (Saudi Arabia), Bangkok (Thailand), Kathmandu (Nepal), Tehran (Iran), Seoul (South Korea), (Thimpu) Bhutan
• Visited Leading Universities in USA i.e. Columbia University, Harvard University, Wharton, MIT, Georgetown, Philadelphia etc.
• Participated in Indian Delegation “India Calling 2008” organized by Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) for Canada
• Participated in India Higher Education Summit 2009, 2010 2011 & 2012 organized by FICCI at New Delhi
• Thematic Group Member for “Erasmus Munds”
• Presented in workshop on structure of New Ph.D. entrance examination 2010 on the topic “Research Methodology” on January 24, 2010 at VIT, Pune
• Participated in EDUCON 2010 organized by Sakal Media group (20-23 August 2010) at Colombo, Sri lanka & (28 Sept tp 2nd October) at Shanghai, China. EDUCON 2012
• Panel Member for Higher Education Track in World Education Summit 2012 at Delhi
• Written articles on Higher Education in Sakal, Maharashtra Times & Times of India.
• Prepared & Presented Research Papers in Various National & International Seminar & Conferences
Dr P C Kalkar is Counselor and career adviser on MBA Rendezvous For any exam related query he can be reached at pckalkar@gmail.com
On behalf of MBA aspirants & management fraternity team MBA Rendezvous interviewed
Dr P C Kalkar and following are the excerpts of the talk:
MBA Rendezvous : What is the scenario of Management Education in Maharashtra?
Dr P C Kalkar : Management education has seen a down trend in the academic year 2013-14. This year there was no CET conducted by the state government and no GD & PI. The decision of dropping of GD & PI was last minute.
The selection criterion was based on CMAT conducted by AICTE and this was being online test, many students from semi urban and rural areas could not appear for the CMAT.
The students were not inclined towards MBA courses with after effects of economic slowdown which hampered the Job Market. Around 45000 plus seats were available in Maharashtra and in the admission rounds of State Govt, almost 40 – 45 % students of the approved intake have been registered and of which only 30% have confirmed admission. On an average there were admissions close to 50-70% of intake in Major cities and 30 -50% in rural areas.
The University of Pune has recently revamped the MBA syllabi and also adopted Choice Base Credit System but it will take two years’ time to realize the benefits of this skill oriented syllabi.
Till that time the institutes who are really in position to develop students Managerial Skills will survive. Those who can really deliver the measurable and tangible skills will definitely have bright future.
The management education has seen a nationwide downtrend in recent times and Maharashtra is no exception. However the indicators point to a better comparative situation. I believe this situation can be improved by taking a few positive steps as follows:
• There should be no last minute decision like the one we had this year about doing away with GDPI. It adds to confusion of the aspirants.
• Enough opportunities should be provided for mock test as the rural students are not very comfortable with the online mode of examinations.
• The MBA program content should be enriched so as to make it more skill development oriented rather than focusing only on academic aspects.
I am happy to note that University of Pune has revamped its curriculum in line with the employers’ expectations from fresh management graduates. It encompasses all the necessary skill sets which are required to develop the students as good leaders and managers.
MBA Rendezvous :Give us insight USPs of Sinhgad Management Institutes
Dr P C Kalkar : Sinhgad emphasizes on a holistic education. Our campuses are mostly residential, and through a variety of activities and interaction methods, students learn much more than classroom academics.
Dedicated full time research oriented faculty and interactive teaching learning process with case studies and role plays
The residential facilities available on campus compare with the best (In their June 2013 report, Business World rated us 44th nationally, for “Infrastructure & Living Experience”).
Our faculty is fully in-house, and largely residential. This kind of student-faculty interaction is available only in the very best institutes (i.e. the IIMs)
Our placement services are highly rated Business World has rated us at 59th rank nationally.
Most importantly, all the above facilities are available within Rs. 3-4 lakh for a 2 year MBA course. Since this fits in the “no collateral” limits of the nationalized banks; economically disadvantaged students can afford such quality education. We don’t see any other institute provide such educational value at such affordable prices and following USPs:
• Holistic approach towards education: Sinhgad emphasizes on a holistic education which includes and Innovative teaching methods and best of sports and other facilities .Our teaching methods including case studies, role plays, term papers, scrap books, small group projects etc provide good opportunities to students for learning and development.
• Strong faculty base: We have a good blend of highly qualified and experienced faculty with research orientation and sound academic knowledge with industry approach in teaching. We have very less dependence on visiting faculty which means our in-house faculty base is strong.
• Residential campuses: Sinhgad’s campuses are mostly residential. which ensure availability of faculty for consultation and guidance and the students have access to all kinds of facilities including libraries, computer centres and sports even after the working hours .The students are involved in variety of extra and co-curricular projects through which they learn much more than class room academics. It helps them for their overall development.
• Best in class facilities: The residential facilities available on sinhgad campuses compare with the best (In their June 2013 report, Business World rated us 44th nationally, for “Infrastructure & Living Experience”).
• Impressive placement facilities: : Our placement services are highly rated Business World has rated us at 59th rank nationally.
• Affordable cost : Most importantly, all the above facilities are available within Rs. 3-4 lakh for a 2 year MBA course. Since this fits in the “no collateral” limits of the nationalized banks; economically disadvantaged students can afford such quality education.
MBA Rendezvous: What will make MBA pass outs employable? Your views..
Dr P C Kalkar : Most employers that we have talked to look for high order life-skills skills such as Emotional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Creative Problem solving ability, self-directed and life-long learning…..
In addition, effective on–the-job performance requires good communication skill, time management and multi-tasking skills.
The capability to shoulder the professional responsibilities, independently.
Up till now, the university system did not address these industry expectations. However, the recently released syllabus (2013 pattern) of the University of Pune has these all skill development included:
• Most employers that we interact with look for high order life-skills skills such as Emotional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Creative Problem solving ability, self-directed and life-long learning
• In addition, effective on–the-job performance requires good communication skill, time management and multi-tasking skills.
• The capability to shoulder the professional responsibilities, independently.
• Above all developing right attitude is most important
MBA Rendezvous : What is the placement scenario at Sinhgad Management Institutes?
Dr P C Kalkar Arguably Sinhgad’s placement process outperforms all colleges of similar standing. We ensure the maximum number of job opportunities for our students; more than 600 companies visit our campus in a typical placement season.
We continuously offer mentoring services to our students, wherein students can freely express their “employability gaps”. We then provide group based and one-on-one training interventions so that they overcome these gaps and achieve the career success that they aspire for.
It is precisely for these reasons that although most of our students come from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, Business World rated us at 59th amongst all Business Schools, nationally.
MBA Rendezvous : Your advice to MBA Aspirants
Dr P C Kalkar : The recession is temporary and the job market will definitely improve after general elections. MBA programme which includes multidimensional learning for honing your Managerial skills is really useful for holistic development.
There lies the advantage of participating in a full time programme where you can learn individually, in groups / teams and also peer learning will help to understand better human relations and decision making. I treat MBA as a performing art where learning to perform with fastest and perfect decision making is essential.
Few things before joining:
• See that you are eligible as far as minimum % of marks in graduation is concerned and you clear the required entrance test for MBA
• Short list few institutes where you wish to pursue your MBA and try to understand their teaching learning process and rigor of activities.
• Try to visit the short listed institutes and meet the existing students to see whether your vision and actual matches
MBA will help you not only in professional life but the skills you learn will also help you in your personal life.
At last I would advice that a major outcome of MBA program is to develop a much broader perspective towards the world wherein you learn that there are multiple solutions to each of the problems.
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