Academic, Placement, Facilities at GNIOT, Greater Noida - Interview with Director, Dr. Arun Kumar Singh

The GNIOT Institute of Management Studies (GIMS), Greater Noida is an MBA college in Uttar Pradesh focused on developing management skills and providing real-life applicable education to its students. Here's an interview with Dr. Arun Kumar Singh, Director of this B-school detailing academics, facilities, internship, placements, and more.

Careers360: Tell us something about the institute; when it was set up, vision and mission.

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: The GNIOT group of institutions was established in the year 2000. GNIOT Institute of Management Studies (GIMS), Greater Noida is established in the city of the future - Greater Noida, with a mission to impart outstanding education in the realm of Management Education to the Millennials through the PGDM programme.

GIMS, Greater Noida was founded amidst the hustle and bustle of the pandemic in the year 2020 to provide the young graduates a new vision of Industry 4.0 and pave a path for excellence and progress in their lives. That was the year of change, dynamism, and an outlook to view the world with a tetrachromatic vision. This is the motto of GIMS to look at the PGDM programme with a different perspective and value additions than what it was till now.

The institute has a legacy of twenty years behind it along with the visionary founder Chairman Sri. K.L. Gupta’s ever yearning efforts and ideology to promote Value Based Education and present Chairman Mr. Rajesh Gupta’s strong determination to excel and make a difference in the learner’s personality altogether. Thus, the institute’s vision is to become a widely acclaimed Management School contributing towards Management Education for developing Business Leaders having functional knowledge of all the domains of management.

GIMS is headed by Dr. Arun Kumar Singh (Ph.D./ MBA/ MSW, Regional Director - IACM, EDII - Certified), Director GIMS, Greater Noida Dr. Singh is yet another visionary in the league who not only projects the Unparalleled Quality of Management Education to be imparted to the millennials but also makes sure the immaculate execution of the process as well. GIMS, Greater Noida embarks on this journey with a mission to

• Be a widely acclaimed centre for management education.
• Develop management professionals for upcoming business challenges and enduring entrepreneurial spirit.
• Be the first choice for prospective students, faculty, and employers.
• Facilitate application of concepts and techniques for innovative research.

It is the philosophy of creating exceptional professionals in the domain of management education that makes GIMS distinct from its counterparts. GIMS is not merely a vision but a strategy conceptualized by the vigor and toil of the industry and academia combined to invoke resilience and an elixir of leadership along with its prosecution.

Careers360: Tell us something about the GNIOT admission process?

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: Any institution acquires its standing through its stakeholders. The students are one of the biggest stakeholders which play a major role in pivoting the journey of any educational institution. Keeping its stakeholders at the core of the institute, the admission process begins with the screening of the candidate’s profile. The candidate is expected to have a strong and consistent academic background. Performance in class 10, class 12, and every year of graduation are considered in the selection process.

A candidate may be considered eligible for the PGDM course if he/she has cleared the bachelor degree examination from any recognized Indian university with a minimum of 50% marks (for General category) and a minimum of 45% marks (only for Reserved Category SC/ST) having Indian nationality or as per latest AICTE Guidelines. Students appearing or waiting for final year examinations can apply for the program on the condition of submitting their final mark-sheet by the 30th of October of the year of admission.

A candidate can apply to the PGDM course if he/she has cleared or appeared for the following competitive exam as per AICTE requirement - CMAT/ CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ GMAT or GIMS Aptitude Test (GAT). The score of these examinations is to be produced at the time of admission. The aspirant has to undergo certain stages of the selection process before finally getting admitted to the institute. These are:

• Application Form: Application forms can be procured either offline or online on the admissions portal. The Application processing fee is Rs. 1200/-. This fee can be paid through credit card, debit card, or net banking.

• Screening of Application Form: The application forms will be scrutinized by the GIMS panel and the candidates will be shortlisted on the following parameters:

  • Consistency of academic record

  • Versatility and achievements

  • Relevance of work experience for the specialization (If any)

• GIMS Aptitude Test (GAT)/ CMAT/ CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ GMAT*: Applicants shortlisted are invited for the GIMS Aptitude Test (GAT), which is a 45 minutes test on the pattern of CAT exam for Management PG Aspirants. The candidate will be exempted from GAT in case of 75 or above percentile in CMAT/ CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ GMAT.

• Group Discussion: The students who qualify for GAT, CMAT/ CAT/ XAT/ MAT/ GMAT would be invited for Group Discussion on the campus or virtually. The topic of discussion will be provided by a panellist/s. Students who qualify for the GD are eligible for the next round.

• Personal Interview: Shortlisted candidates after Group Discussion will have to face either of the following:

  • Personal Interview (Face to face or Skype)

  • Presentation (Student will have to prepare and give a PowerPoint Presentation on a given topic)

• Final Selection: Final Selection will be based on the decision of a panellist/s.

The selection list is based on a composite score, which takes into account the applicant’s profile, academic record, entrance test scores MAT/CAT/XAT/MAT/GMAT or GIMS Aptitude Test (GAT), performance in the Group Discussion and Interview / Presentation/Essay Round.

GIMS also provides scholarships to deserving candidates. The criteria for offering scholarships is as under:

• On the basis of Academic Record: Students with 60% overall in X, XII, and graduation are eligible for an Rs. 20,000/- scholarship on the tuition fee.

• On the basis of Score in Entrance Exam: The following scholarships are awarded based on the academic scores of the aspirants.

• On the basis of Quota:

  • Sports Quota

  • National Achievement in any field: Rs. 20,000/- on tuition fee.

  • Armed Forces/Paramilitary Forces/Police Personnel family background - Rs.20,000/- on tuition fee.

  • GIMS-Shakti Scholarship for female students only with consistent academic performance of 50% throughout X, XII, and Graduation, she will be eligible for a scholarship of Rs. 25,000 on tuition fee.

Careers360: What kind of infrastructure can students expect at the institution?

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: The institute emphasizes Global standards of learning for its students and world-class learning demands for an indistinguishable infrastructure. The lush green campus is spread in acres providing almost all the facilities within the campus.

Classrooms: The avant-garde classrooms are fully air-conditioned and well equipped with all the modern-day facilities from White Boards to Smart Boards, from Projectors to Wi-Fi. The students make the hundred percent of the knowledge imparted to them in these technically aided classrooms. The amphitheatrically designed classrooms make it even the more relishing experience to imbibe the learning comfortably.

Library: The institute has a well-equipped library with a combination of traditional and digital resources addressing the needs of this physical world, such as the latest journals and periodicals like the business magazines and newspapers, a variety of textbooks and reference books, spiritual and various historical publications to enhance the holistic knowledge of our millennials. The library is the most happening place on the campus having a well-demarcated, furnished, and ventilated independent reading area along with computer facilities to access the digital resources.

Auditorium: The young managers showcase their prowess through various activities and for this GIMS offers the futuristic, fully air-conditioned auditorium with a seating capacity of over 500 people. The auditorium is also well furnished with all the latest aids like the audio-visual facilities, central air conditioning, well ventilated and modern interiors. The auditorium is utilized for the seminars, workshops, guest lectures, various celebrations by the students and faculties combined.

Conference Hall: Also various seminars, workshops, student and faculty interaction, faculty meetings, conferences, and corporate interface activities are organized in the well-furnished, fully air-conditioned conference hall. The conference hall is equipped with all state-of-the-art audio-visual aids with a capacity to accommodate around 75 -100 people.

Computer Centre: The Computer Centre has advanced computing facilities that are available to Students, Faculty, and Departments. It includes branded PCs with DELL and HP servers connected through Ethernet LAN. All these nodes have access to the Internet through a 500 MBPS dedicated leased line on fiber optics. Facilities for printing through high-speed Mono LaserJet Network printers and Scanning are also available in the computer labs.

The computers are equipped with online conferencing tools like Cisco WebEx, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet for online Meetings, Webinars, and Classes. The Windows, UNIX, and LINUX software packages such as Drawing and Drafting package (AUTOCAD), Multimedia, Animation, and various editing packages are made available to create simulated environments o suit not only the curricula but also the other needs of the students to excel and learning in this ever-evolving digital world. The PCs and the network are well protected with the latest antivirus and firewall packages installed in the systems.

Recreational Area: The sprawling lawn and the playground equipped with the outdoor games facilities like Basket-Ball, Cricket, and Football and the cafeteria are the best hang-outs for these millennials to chill out and relax, rejuvenate themselves after a hectic day and recharge their soul, body, and mind for the next happening day. GIMS also provides various indoor games facilities also like Table-tennis, Carrom-board, Chess and Badminton, and the like. GIMS has a dedicated Sports Club- Spardhaa which organizes various inter and intra collegiate championships. The latest was YuvSpandan- which was the intersection of industry and academia to play and learn together.

Hostel Facility: Both the Girls’ and Boys’ hostels are within the campus and are well-furnished twin and single sharing, A.C and non-AC rooms with all the basic facilities. The hostel mess provides healthy and scrumptious food based on the menu decided unanimously by the food committee which comprises some student representatives too. Both the hostels provide the fitness centre well-armed with the latest fitness equipment for the students to maintain their health and stay stimulating all day.

24x7 ATM: The institute also provides the facility of a 24x7 ATM in the premises for the safety of the students, faculties, and staff. The presence of an ATM just at the entry gate inside the campus ensures the safety of the users and addresses their emergency needs to collect cash as well.

Careers360: There is a lot of stress that is being made with regard to interaction with the industry as well as companies that recruit. What steps will the institute take in this direction?

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: GIMS under the visionary leadership of Dr. Arun Kumar Singh, Director- GIMS, Greater Noida, has been established with a mission to excel and epitomize the level of PGDM programme in the market and create its niche globally. The PGDM 4.0 is not merely a location, but it is the essence of the programme. The industry interactions begin from that very day when the student approaches the institute.

The onset is from the curriculum finalization which is done in concurrence with the industry experts. The curriculum is moderated not only by the top academicians but also the industry giants belonging to some of the well-known names in the corporate world like the Tatas, Honda to name a few.

The next step, Content Delivery is also an amalgamation of industry and academia. The Chanakya Talk Series (CTS) organized on a monthly basis makes it sure that the students are enlightened on some of the burning issues in the industry, putting forth the practical aspect of the theory they have imbibed through the lectures. The CTS has witnessed some big names from the corporate houses like ONGC, Abbott India Ltd, Havells, India Ltd, Internet Moguls, Timex, Honda Cars India Ltd, Tata Motors to name a few.

Since these budding managers are the biggest stakeholders of GIMS, therefore, all the activities are student-driven. The students manage the coordination of all the industry-led activities at the institution through various clubs and committees formed. The New Normal has brought a blend of physical and digital education on the same platform. We utilized this opportunity to the core and conducted the online Industry visits to Yakult and Mother Dairy to name a few during this pandemic year which gave them live learning of the industrial processes.

There have been several workshops on entrepreneurship, investment opportunities, blended learning, Google workplace by the industry experts to enhance the knowledge content of the students. GIMS has signed an MOU with AIC-BIMTECH to inform the students of the incubation process and mold our future managers to become future entrepreneurs. The institute has collaborations and memberships with QTanalytics, TPCRA World (Trade Promotion Council of Robotics & Automation and India Blockchain Alliance & BlocksEdu (Canada), NHRDN, AIMA, MSME with many coming ahead this year.

The students are not only exposed to the corporate world, instead, they are also involved in real-life learning through the Rural Immersion Programme which gives them an opportunity to connect with the ethos of our country through rural exposure.

Careers360: Internship is now mandatory as per AICTE guidelines. Does this institute help students? If yes, how?

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: Internships are an integral part of the learning enhancement system of any professional course. So is it with our PGDM course? GIMS, Greater Noida not only emphasizes the Summer Internship Programme (SIP) but also the Live Industry Projects which give the students a hands-on experience of the industry to these budding managers.

The institute has a dedicated Corporate Resource Centre (CRC) for facilitating the students for the Summer Internships. The CRC is run in concurrence with the placement committee including one faculty representative and two student representatives from the I Year. The students are offered the internship opportunity in almost all areas of their specializations.

The process begins immediately after the beginning of the III Trimester of the students. The process begins with the resume preparation of the students which is a Three-Stage Review process before finalizing their resumes. The students are well-groomed for the interviews since they join the course through the Corporate Readiness Programme and especially during the III trimester through the Employability Skills Enhancement Programme, various psychometric tests, and counseling sessions.

The Summer Internship facilitation process ends only after all the students who have chosen for availing the SIP facilitation through the institute’s end have collected at least two offers in their respective specializations.

The Times of India, Outlook Group, Dabur India, HCL Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Onex India Ltd, Sharekhan Ltd, Spark Minda, Cadillac, Future Group, Reliance Group were some of the brands to be quoted who approached us and picked up the students for Summer Internship Programme. The students were offered stipends up to 15K and the SIP facilitation culminated in a 100% student selection rate.

Careers360: Can you share details if there is any collaboration with universities abroad?

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: Apart from the industry collaborations, GIMS is upon signing MOUs with different academic bodies and premier institutes. The institute is collaborating with the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore for academic partnerships in imparting knowledge. The institution is also a part of the Global Virtual Team (GVT) which gives exposure to our young managers to connect with scholars around the globe.

The GVT is not only to focus on their research skills but instead, it also gives these young managers a chance to know and understand the cultures and practices globally. This could lead to the enhancement of their global networking. GIMS focuses on this enrichment aspect of the international tie-ups as well rather than just the exchange of information.

On the same course of action, the institute is in talks with collaboration with different universities abroad like Universitas Udayana, Indonesia for collaborative learning, and Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar, Indonesia. Owing to the current upheaval in the country the matter is still in progress and intends to be finalized by early July this year.

Connecting to different cultures is always beneficial for both parties as there is an exchange of cultural values as well which upskills the people to adapt to different situations and varied locations across the globe.

Careers360: Please share placement statistics with information on the average package, highest and lowest package, number of students placed, and details of companies that have recruited.

Dr. Arun Kumar Singh: Since this is the inception year of GIMS, the figures to depict the Corporate Interface are justified by our selections for summer internships in the companies like The Times of India, Outlook Group, Dabur India, HCL Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Onex Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Sharekhan Ltd, Spark Minda, Cadillac, Future Group, Reliance Group, AIC-BIMTECH.

Our Millennial Managers have been offered the maximum stipend of up to 15K by the companies like Algorithmics, Manipal Signa Life Insurance, and The Capital Box. Many of the companies like Dabur India, HCL, and Onex Solutions Pvt. Ltd and Spark Minda have also offered the Pre-Placement Offers (PPO) for the deserving candidates after the internships.

Considering the nascent stage of the institute, the corporate interface shows a Robust Picture of the future of the institution in terms of selections and collaborations.