In Conversation with Prof. Kishore, Director - Rajagiri Business School

In this exclusive conversation with Careers360, Professor Kishore, who is the Director at Rajagiri Business School Kochi shares his perspectives on the vision, mission, admission process, internships, placements, and more about Rajagiri Business School Kochi.

Careers360: Established in 2008 with the vision of nurturing globally competent and socially responsible leaders, how has RBS evolved over the years in pursuit of this goal?

Prof. Kishore: The milestones RBS has achieved in a short span of 16 years since its inception are immense. The growth of RBS over these years has been truly organic. The management of the institution has been meticulous in upholding the core value of the Rajagiri Group of Institutions, namely social sensitivity, despite the fact that we were setting out to establish a business management programme, which has often been perceived as a means of making profit without concern for others.

Hence, we carefully crafted a range of co-curricular activities, such as the one-week Social Sensitisation Camp and the student-driven social service wing TRANSCEND, and integrated them into the curriculum. These initiatives provide students with opportunities to practically experience classroom theories in real-life scenarios by embedding social sensitivity into learning.

Additionally, the overall atmosphere on campus is guided by its core values, encapsulated in the acronym SMILE, which stands for Social Sensitivity, Mutual Respect, Integrity, Learning, and Excellence. Consequently, the institution’s pedagogy is also structured around various dimensions of social sensitivity. This holistic approach to embedding social sensitivity throughout a student’s journey at RBS helps them evolve into global citizens and certainly has a spillover effect on their professional lives.

Careers360: With the PGDM programme at RBS approved by AICTE and accredited by EFMD, AACSB, and ACBSP, MBA and MA in HRM program of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, how do these recognitions enhance the overall student experience?

Prof. Kishore: Approval from AICTE is paramount for the operation of any technical institution in India. It ensures that the institution possesses all the necessary amenities and meets the standards required for an efficient teaching–learning process.

The purpose of any accreditation is to enable a review of the academic rigour and infrastructural facilities of an institution by external experts. The outcome of this process is the identification of areas that require improvement, as well as areas in which the institution demonstrates strength. By addressing the lacunae in programme management and delivery, as highlighted by such experts, the overall student experience can be significantly enhanced.

Further, having reputed international accreditation enhances the visibility and acceptability of the institution at the international level. A considerable number of students from abroad come to RBS each year to pursue their higher studies. This creates opportunities for intercultural engagement among students and helps them broaden their worldviews. Such a multidimensional and broadened perspective, in turn, makes them globally competent, which is one of the core elements of the vision of RBS.

Also See: RBS Kochi Admissions

Careers360: How does Rajagiri Immersive Learning Experience (RILE), a pedagogical innovation, expose students to experiential activities that equip them to confidently navigate the complexities of the business environment?

Prof. Kishore: Experiential engagement is one of the key components of the Rajagiri Immersive Learning Experience. It is designed to introduce students to the practical aspects of management through a range of experiential activities, enabling them to learn by doing. The business world is ever changing and continually evolving. It is influenced by several internal and external factors and often characterised by uncertainty. It is expected that a new entrant will encounter such complexities from the very first day of induction.

A mere understanding of business theories and principles is insufficient to help an individual navigate this complex environment. Hence, adequate pre-onboarding exposure is essential for students to strive and thrive. RBS offers various experiential engagement activities, such as summer internships, Kalypso, and Vanavasam, to its students. These initiatives not only expose them to the realities of the business world prior to formal onboarding but also help them develop mental resilience and composure to face complexities in both their personal and professional lives.

Careers360: To equip students with the right conceptual foundation, analytical skills, and knowledge application ability, the curriculum at RBS is kept relevant with the dynamics of the changing business environment. Please explain.

Prof. Kishore: Typically, significant changes in business scenarios across markets are observed every three to five years. Hence, the programme curriculum at RBS is revised once every three years to account for these changes. RBS has always been conscious of developing a curriculum that remains relevant to prevailing market conditions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and related technologies are shaping the contemporary business landscape. Although these are primarily technology-driven developments, organisations operating in these domains also require competent business professionals to manage their operations. Accordingly, the revised curriculum at RBS integrates the application of AI, ML, and related technologies within business contexts.

Careers360:How do collaborations with alumni contribute to providing students with practical exposure and improved career opportunities?

Prof. Kishore: Our alumni fraternity supports their successors in numerous ways. They gather at their alma mater during the annual Homecoming Day and contribute financially to various causes. In addition, many alumni offer career counselling, aptitude training, and interview preparation completely free of cost.

Further, they participate in competency-based interviews with current students to help them understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to provide guidance on how to address areas requiring improvement. Alumni also return to their alma mater as panellists for summer internship viva voce examinations, where they assess the extent of the learning and experience students have gained during their internship period.

Careers360: What are the various scholarships available, and give us an overview of the application process for students to apply?

Prof. Kishore: RBS primarily offers three types of scholarships to new entrants. The Career and Talent Scholarship is awarded to students who have secured scores in the 80th or 90th percentile in the CAT examination, with the scholarship amount varying according to the percentile achieved. Merit-cum-Means Scholarships are granted to students from financially weaker backgrounds who have demonstrated consistent academic performance in their Class 10, Class 12, and undergraduate programmes. Diversity Scholarships are offered to students from other states and are awarded based on consistently strong academic performance in Class 10, Class 12, and undergraduate programmes.

Aspiring candidates may apply to the institution online by providing the required information and uploading the necessary certificates. The minimum eligibility requirement is a pass in any Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a duly recognised national or international university or institution, with not less than 50 per cent marks in aggregate across all parts of the examination, or a Master’s degree with a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate marks. Candidates who meet these criteria are shortlisted for Group Discussion and Personal Interview (GD–PI). Admission is offered to applicants who achieve the prescribed minimum cut-off score in the GD–PI process each year.

Careers360: How does the dedicated Career Counselling Team at RBS provide confidential and impartial support to help students align their aspirations and interests and progress toward their dream careers?

Prof. Kishore: RBS has a dedicated Mentoring Cell under which each student is assigned to an experienced faculty member for mentorship. This enables students to identify and refine their career paths through regular and meaningful interactions with their mentors. In addition, the institution offers various value-added courses, either free of cost or at subsidised rates, to support students in achieving their Individual Development Plans. These plans are formulated in consultation with mentors after a systematic assessment of students’ strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations.

All information pertaining to each student is maintained confidentially by the mentor to ensure fairness and impartiality in all academic and institutional processes.

Careers360: Please tell us about the placement process, recent placement statistics, salary packages offered, and key recruiters.

Prof. Kishore: RBS provides placement assistance to its students through the Office of Corporate Relations. All eligible students are given the opportunity to participate in placement drives conducted by various organisations visiting the campus, based on their interests and career preferences. RBS consistently records a placement rate of over 90 per cent each year, with the median salary ranging between INR 10 and 12 lakhs per annum.

Several blue-chip organisations, including TCS, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and others, regularly visit the campus to recruit from the institute’s talent pool.

Careers360: Management recruiters don’t just scan for academic brilliance. They look for professionals who can think critically, analyse complex business problems, adapt to new challenges, and bring a mix of both technical expertise and interpersonal skills. What is your take on this?

Prof. Kishore: Certainly. To run a business successfully, one must possess the ability to navigate a VUCA world. The skills mentioned above are critical in this context. Sound decision-making is refined through experience; hence, it is essential to remain open to diverse experiences. Given the many geopolitical factors influencing markets today, conducting business has become increasingly complex. Having a comprehensive perspective and maintaining awareness of multiple factors is an essential additional skill that individuals must cultivate to remain competent and competitive in the business world.

Careers360: What advice would you like to offer students as they prepare for their academic pursuits and professional careers?

Prof. Kishore: In addition to inculcating the competencies necessary for a business professional, students pursuing studies in the management discipline are also required to develop universal human values. Business is not solely about making profits, as it operates using resources procured from society. Hence, my advice is that they become competent global citizens and excel in both their personal and professional lives.