An Interview With Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya (Director at St. Wilfred’s College of Management Studies)

St. Wilfred's College of Management Studies Thane is a private college located in Thane and is affiliated with the AICTE. St. Wilfred's College of Management Studies courses include a PGDM in different specialisations. Candidates are given St. Wilfred's College of Management Studies admissions based on CAT/ GMAT/ CMAT/ MH CET scores.

Careers360 presents you with an interview with Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya who is the director at St. Wilfred’s College of Management Studies. She has 20+ years of experience with 2 patents. She has completed PhD in management, MBA, and MCom. Go through the interview below to learn more about St. Wilfred’s College of Management Studies, its mission, objectives, and vision.

Careers 360: Tell us something about the institute; when it was set up, vision, and mission.

Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya: St. Wilfred’s College of Management Studies was established in 2001 to provide quality management education and develop the next generation of leaders &Entrepreneurs.

श्लोकः

विद्या ददाति विनयं, विनयाद् याति पात्रताम्।

पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नोति, धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम्॥

Meaning:

Vidya (knowledge) imparts humility.

From humility comes worthiness.

Worthiness leads to the acquisition of wealth.

Wealth, when used righteously, brings dharma (virtue) and ultimately happiness.

This shloka teaches the importance of knowledge, humility, worthiness, and ethical behavior in achieving success, which is integral for business studies and a holistic life approach.

Vision:

To be a globally recognized centre of excellence in Business management education, fostering future-ready leaders, Entrepreneurs equipped with ethical values, innovative thinking, and the ability to make a positive impact on the world.

Mission:

1. To deliver a transformative learning experience through an industry-relevant curriculum, global exposure, and experiential learning opportunities.

2. To cultivate ethical, socially responsible, and emotionally intelligent professionals capable of driving sustainable growth and innovation in a dynamic business environment.

3. To foster a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and lifelong learning that prepares students to adapt to the complexities of a globalized world.

Objectives:

1. Academic Excellence: Provide a rigorous and industry-aligned curriculum, integrating global best practices and real-world case studies to develop advanced management acumen.

2. Global Perspective: Facilitate international exposure through partnerships, student exchange programs, and a curriculum emphasizing global trends and cross-cultural competencies.

3. Holistic Development: Focus on developing leadership, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills through workshops, seminars, and personality enhancement programs.

4. Ethics and Sustainability: Instill a strong sense of ethics, corporate governance, and sustainability to nurture responsible business leaders.

5. Industry Integration: Strengthen connections with industry leaders through internships, live projects, and mentorship programs to ensure practical and relevant learning experiences.

6. Entrepreneurial Mindset: Encourage innovation and entrepreneurial thinking by offering resources and support for start-up ideas and business incubation.

7. Community Impact: Engage students in community service and social projects to develop a sense of empathy and responsibility towards society.

Careers 360: Tell us something about the admission process.

Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya: Our admission process is designed to identify students who have the potential to excel in the field of management. The process includes an entrance exam (either conducted by the institute or national-level exams like CAT, MAT, etc.), followed by a group discussion (GD) and personal interview (PI). We evaluate candidates based on academic performance, work experience, communication skills, and overall personality. The final selection is made after considering all these factors. We also offer special consideration for candidates with exceptional achievements or leadership qualities.

Careers 360: What kind of infrastructure can students expect at the institute? Please elaborate.

Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya: At St. Wilfred’s, we believe that a conducive learning environment is key to academic success. Our infrastructure includes state-of-the-art classrooms, fully equipped with audio-visual teaching tools. We have dedicated seminar halls, discussion rooms, and a well-stocked library that supports both academic and extracurricular activities. Additionally, our campus has modern computer labs, Wi-Fi connectivity, and recreational areas to foster both learning and personal growth. Our focus is to ensure that students have all the necessary resources to thrive.

Careers 360: There is a lot of stress that is being made with regard to interaction with the industry as well as companies that recruit. What are the steps being taken by the institute in this direction?

Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya: We strongly believe that practical exposure is vital for management students. To bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, we have strong industry tie-ups. Our students regularly engage in internships, live projects, and case studies in collaboration with leading companies across various sectors. We also invite industry leaders Entrepreneurs for guest lectures, workshops, and webinars to keep our students updated on the latest trends and practices in the business world. Additionally, we have an active Placement Cell(Connect to Corporate Cell ) that works tirelessly to facilitate direct interaction between students and prospective recruiters. Institute also encourages students to develop business plans under the Innovation and business cell to set up start-ups with the strong support of Government schemes.

Careers 360: Internships are now mandatory as per AICTE guidelines. Does the institute help students with this? If yes, how?

Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya: Yes, internships are a vital component of our curriculum. We ensure that all our students complete internships in their chosen field of management. Our Placement Cell( Connect to Corporate ) plays an active role in assisting students by coordinating with reputed companies and helping them secure internship opportunities. We have a robust partnership with several organizations that provide high-quality internships, allowing students to gain practical knowledge and experience. We also guide students through their internship selection process to ensure that they align with their career aspirations.

Careers 360: Can you please share details if there is any collaboration with universities abroad?

Dr Rasika Arun Vaidya: Yes, we believe in the importance of global exposure, and therefore, we have collaborations with several international universities . These collaborations allow our students to participate in exchange programs, attend international seminars and conferences, and gain insights into global business practices. Our partnerships also include joint research initiatives and opportunities for pursuing dual degrees or certifications, which help students broaden their academic horizons.

Careers 360: 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 Rasika Arun Vaidya: This campus focuses on management studies. The highest package is Rs. 25 LPA, and the average package is Rs. 7 LPA. Companies such as Barclays Bank, HDFC Bank, Morgan Stanley, TCS, LG Electronics, Tech Mahindra, JP Morgan, ICICI Bank, Reliance, TVS Motors, Axis Bank, Tata Group, and HCL have recruited students. We are continually working to improve our placement process to ensure that our students get the best opportunities in the industry.

Disclaimer: This article has been published as a part of the marketing initiative of Careers360.