BIMTECH Greater Noida: In conversation with Dr. Prabina Rajib (Director)

Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida is a private institution that was established in the year 1988. The institution has been approved by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) and is accredited by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) and NBA (National Board of Accreditation).

Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director of Operations Management at the Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida, shared valuable insights during an exclusive webinar with Careers360. The discussion covered various aspects of BIMTECH Greater Noida, including its courses, eligibility criteria, admission process, placements, and internship opportunities. Students interested in learning more about the BIMTECH Greater Noida campus can read the full article given below:

Careers360: BIMTECH Greater Noida was established in 1988 so could you share some insights on the journey and the achievements so far?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: BIMTECH was founded in the year 1988 in New Delhi, later we moved it to Greater Noida. The institute initially offered only the PGDM programme but expanded over time to meet industry demands by introducing PGDM programs in Insurance Management, Retail Management, and International Business, as well as an online PGDM option and Executive Fellow programme in Management.

The institute has grown from a modest batch size of 30-35 to 480 students, including 25-30 international students annually. Currently, 65 students from countries like Austria, Nepal, and Uganda are pursuing full-time programmes.

The institute is recognized as a Category 1 autonomous institution by AICTE and holds NBA accreditation for all its academic programmes. Additionally, it is one of the few institutions in India to achieve ACSP accreditation.

Careers360: What, in your opinion, distinguishes BIMTECH from other business schools?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: At BIMTECH, we focus on giving students practical learning experiences along with academics. To achieve this, we include globally recognised certifications in our programmes. For example, students studying digital marketing complete a course by META, and those in operations take a PMP certification. These certifications are carefully chosen to match the subjects and are proctored to ensure quality. Students who complete these certifications earn marks for their internal assessments instead of traditional evaluations by professors.

Each programme is designed to meet specific industry needs. For example, PGDM Retail students need to do a one month job training in addition to the summer internship to gain hands-on experience. Students will spend one month in a retail organization to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire process involved in how retail organisations operate. International Business students visit international ports to learn about export-import processes and regulations.

By combining academic learning with practical training through industry tie-ups, BIMTECH ensures students gain the skills and knowledge they need for real-world success.

Careers360: What qualities does BIM Tech prioritize in students during selection? What type of candidates do you prefer?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: Most of our students come from high CAT and JAT percentiles, which show strong quantitative and communication skills. However, during the GDPI process, BIMTECH Greater Noida looks for something extra—a spark or uniqueness in the student. We want to see if the student is passionate about something, whether it’s sports, academics, movies, or any other interest. Before each admission season, faculty and alumni are involved in a significant way in the GDPI process to identify the right candidate.

Careers360: What factors should a student consider when choosing between specializations like international business, insurance, and retail business, and how does BIMTECH assist in making this decision during the selection process?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: Students today are very informed and do a lot of research before choosing a B-school. They visit websites, check curriculums, and look at which companies recruit from specific programs. We also help students by providing plenty of information before admission, such as faculty interactions and conduct online/offline open houses. Parents are invited to these sessions as well to share their views.

While general management is a strong option, many students choose specific fields like insurance, international business, or retail because they are passionate about them. About 40-60% of students join these programmes because they want to pursue a particular career in those fields, not just because they couldn't get into a general PGDM programme. We provide details on job opportunities, companies, and average salaries, but ultimately, students make the final decision based on their interests and career goals.

Careers360: Can you explain the importance of AACSB accreditation from a student's perspective? How does being AACSB accredited benefit students, especially if they plan to study or work abroad?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: AACSB accreditation offers students two main advantages. First, it helps make our programme more international by attracting more students and allowing us to send 40-50 students each year to study abroad for a semester. These exchange programmes are free for students, except for travel and living costs.

Second, AACSB ensures that our courses ensure that we have objective-based learning. We make sure students meet these goals and get feedback on their progress. This helps maintain high academic standards and improves the quality of teaching. Overall, AACSB accreditation makes our programme as now BIMTECH sends about 15 to 20 percent of our students to go and do a one-term away which gives students a completely new outlook on living in a different country, gaining insights into business, language, and culture, and forming lasting friendships with people from another country.

Careers360: What are the main learning outcomes that students expect to gain from this programme?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: The main goal for our students is to be employable by the time they graduate. Our first and foremost priority is to provide them with strong industry knowledge and make them job-ready. BIMTECH focuses on teaching sustainability, ethical business practices, and entrepreneurship.

From the first semester, we have a course called LEAD, where students start thinking about entrepreneurship, market research, and business planning. The duration of this programme is two years, and students work on business proposals, presentations, and even starting a business on campus.

In summary, we aim to make students industry-ready with the right skills and knowledge, so when any company recruits, they should feel impressed by how well the student is able to meet expectations and deliver results. We also develop an entrepreneurial mindset of the students.

Careers360: Students today not only focus on learning outcomes but also consider the infrastructure and facilities available. What facilities and support systems are provided at BIMTECH?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: At BIMTECH, there are strong academic and non-academic support structures. For accommodation, all rooms are air-conditioned, heated, and mostly single rooms. The hostel provides excellent food facilities, where students decide the menu through a "food convict" system by meeting with staff each month.

We also have a sports officer who encourages students to participate in various sports activities. Students are financially supported when they reach the final levels of B-school events, and they are given a budget to organise club activities. Many responsibilities, like the admission process and placement activities, are student-driven.

BIMTECH offers various clubs such as dance, debating, and an editorial club. Students manage the recording and editing of video content and oversee social media posts. The campus also has a state-of-the-art library and provides textbooks at the start of each term. We recently added a Bloomberg Terminal and lab, and we’re setting up more labs to improve the learning environment.

With 24 years of experience in management education, I can confidently say that BIMTECH offers some of the best hostel, gym, and other BIMTECH Greater Noida facilities.

Careers360: My next question is about industry connections and exposure, which are crucial for every management graduate. It's an essential part of the job and needs to be facilitated. How does BIMTECH support this and give students a feel for the corporate world and its challenges?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: At BIMTECH, we place significant emphasis on industry involvement, especially in sector-specific programs. For instance, in the insurance program, we have partnerships with ATSA, REI, and other industry leaders, and we even have industry veterans, like Mr. Tapan Singhal, CEO of Bajaj Allianz, as distinguished faculty. Additionally, we ensure that 20% of the lectures for every subject are delivered by industry professionals, meeting ACSB standards.

In the retail programme, we collaborate with the Retail Association of India (RAI), and for international business, we work with the CII. Recently, we signed an MOU with Cult Decentra to offer courses on blockchain applications in business. One exciting initiative is the introduction of BIM coins, a digital currency for students to use on campus, which will help them understand how digital currencies work. This initiative is student-led, with strong support from Cult Decentra.

Furthermore, we focus on enhancing students' industry readiness. We recently hosted Mr. Anthony Killery, the Chief Data Scientist of Kroger, who conducted a session on personalization in retail using AI and machine learning. BIMTECH also trains students in Python and AI, led by industry veterans, to ensure they are equipped for the challenges of the corporate world.

Careers360:Placements play a key role in students' decision-making process when choosing a course, as it is an important factor for students. Could you provide details about the recent placement drive, including top recruiters and the average package offered?

Dr. Prabina Rajib: You're absolutely right that students should consider the return on investment when pursuing higher education, especially since many take loans or rely on their parents for funding. As an academic institution, we are committed to providing a strong placement platform to ensure students can secure jobs.

Currently, as per BIMTECH placements the highest placement salary has reached Rs 25 lakhs, and last year, the average salary for our 480 students was around 12 lakhs. We are working to attract new companies, including those outside traditional sectors.

Careers360: Would you like to share any message with the students who are aspiring to join a management programme, especially as their results are being announced and they are preparing for upcoming exams?

Students should carefully research the colleges, universities, and programs they are considering. They should also be open to sector-specific programs, like those in banking, finance, insurance, or retail. It's a common misconception that a general MBA is better than these specialized programmes. In reality, students in sector-specific programs often do just as well, if not better.

Students should also keep an open mind about their career goals. Instead of thinking about just any job the college provides, they should have a clear idea of which industry or company they want to join. Whether they want to become an expert in cybersecurity, digital marketing, or finance, having a clear goal in mind will help guide their education.

At BIMTECH, we expect students to have a well-thought-out reason for choosing our programme and to know what they want to achieve. It’s not just about getting a degree—students should be motivated by clear career goals. It’s important to choose a programme after doing thorough research, just like how we carefully research things before making purchases.

Careers360: What is your vision for BIM Tech over the next decade?

BIMTECH aims to be one of the top business schools in India, and I'm confident we will achieve this goal.

About the interviewee:

Dr. Prabina Rajib serves as the Director at the Birla Institute of Management Technology. Her academic journey began with a Ph.D. in Finance from IIT Kharagpur. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Rajib has showcased exemplary leadership in various administrative capacities at IIT Kharagpur.

Notably, she has held positions such as Chairperson Placement and Dean VGSoM, IIT Kharagpur, Chairperson (POSH). Her dedication to academic mentorship is evident in her supervision of 11 doctoral candidates, one of whom was honored with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) award for the best thesis in Financial Economics in 2019. Dr. Rajib has made significant contributions to the academic community through her overseas teaching assignments at AIT Bangkok, Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana, USA), and Curtin Business School, Perth, Australia.

Her research endeavors are reflected in the publication of four books and numerous research papers in high-ranking journals listed. In addition to her academic pursuits, Dr. Rajib actively engages with the broader public through her writings. She regularly contributes articles to newspapers, sharing her insights and knowledge with a wider audience. Recognized for her academic excellence, Dr. Rajib received the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship in 1999. In 2022, she was honored with the Best Case Study Award, showcasing her continued commitment to advancing knowledge in her field.

Disclaimer: The content is published as a marketing initiative between Careers360 and the BIMTECH Greater Noida.