Interaction with IIHMR Bangalore Student: Dr. Shreya Shree (PGDM in Health Information Technology)

Careers360 brings you an interview with Dr Shreya Shree. In her interview with Careers360, Shreya shares about herself, her domain, activities at IIHMR Bangalore, faculty-student ratio, IIHMR Bangalore campus facilities, hostels, IIHMR Bangalore placement process and more. To know more about IIHMR Bangalore from a student’s perspective go through the complete interview of Dr. Shreya Shree with Careers360.

About: Institute of Health Management Research, Bangalore (IIHMR Bangalore) is a top Institute for Hospital and Health Management education in South India. IIHMR was previously known as the Indian Institute of Health Management Research.

IIHMR Bangalore was established in 2004 as the south campus of the IIHMR Group of Institutions, offering flagship programmes in Hospital and Health Management. In the year 2010, IIHMR, Bangalore got approval from AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) to offer a two-year full-time PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Hospital and Health Management) programme with specialisations in Hospital Management, Health Management, Health Information Technology (HIT) Management and Pharmaceutical Management.

Some of IIHMR Bangalore alumni work with companies like Gleneagles Global, Apollo Hospital, Mission Hospital, NH, Columbia Asia, Nationwide Clinic, Global Hospitals, Manipal Hospital, Sagar Hospital, Vikram Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Yashomati Hospital, Brook Field Hospital, Ramakrishna Hospital, Moolchand Hospital, Bhoruka Netralaya Hospital, Asian Heart Institute, Cloud Nine Hospital, Sakra, Healthcare At Home, Telerad RxDx, Cadabams Hospital and others.

Q. Tell us something about yourself such as from which place are you from?

Ans: Hello everyone, I'm Dr. Shreya Shree. I was born and raised in Patna, Bihar, where I completed my schooling. Following that, I moved to Davangere, Karnataka, to pursue my undergraduate studies in Dentistry. I have also gained 1.5 years of experience as a general dentist. I independently handled day-to-day operations and managed the client base in dental clinics in Bangalore and Patna.

Q. Which course are you currently pursuing, and in which year are you?

Ans: I am currently a second-year student pursuing my PGDM in Health Information Technology (IT) at IIHMR Bangalore.

Q. Did you face any difficulty in the initial months when you joined IIHMR Bangalore?

Ans: Transitioning from dental clinics to a management-focused curriculum was certainly challenging. Initially, things felt a bit chaotic, but several subjects overlapped with healthcare, which provided some familiarity. Over time, I started to enjoy what I was learning. We also had the opportunity to apply our knowledge in real-time through enactments and live case studies, making it easier to connect with the contents and not just banging our heads with theories.

Also See: IIHMR Bangalore Courses and Fees

Q. What activities are offered at IIHMR Bangalore? Are there any clubs for extracurricular activities? Which ones have you joined and are part of?

Ans: IIHMR Bangalore offers various activities for students and faculty to participate in and enjoy throughout the year. We celebrate festivals and important calendar days and engage in social awareness activities. There are four main clubs: the Management Club, Entrepreneurship Club, Literary Club, and Community Club. Every student is encouraged to join a club of their choice to develop management skills in a fun way.

I’m a member of the Entrepreneurship Club, where I’ve been actively involved in the organising committee. I’ve successfully helped organise a hackathon, a field visit to the G20 summit in Bangalore-where we had the chance to discuss advancements in healthcare and other fields with experts-two national-level conferences, webinars led by prominent industry figures, and many more events at the institutional level. I’ve also participated in activities organised by other clubs and even won a few competitions.

Q. Describe a typical day at IIHMR Bangalore - what do you do from the time you wake up till you go to sleep?

Ans: A typical day at IIHMR starts at 10:00 AM with our first lecture, which runs until 11:30 AM. After a 15-minute break, we continue with the second lecture until 1:15 PM. We then have a 45-minute lunch break, giving us ample time to eat and refresh. After lunch, I enjoy a walk around the beautiful IIHMR campus with my friends.

In the afternoon, we have two more classes related to our specialisations, running until 5:00 PM, with a break from 3:15 to 3:30 PM. While the schedule may seem intense, the engaging teaching style of our faculty makes the day enjoyable and productive.

After college, I tutor a few school students for the next two hours. Once they leave, I prepare dinner while watching a series or movie or catching up with friends and family on calls. If I have any assignments due, I complete them after dinner; otherwise, I relax and unwind until I fall asleep.

Q. Tell us about the faculty-student ratio here and about the teacher-student relationship in your understanding.

Ans: The faculty is undoubtedly one of the best aspects of the institute. They are top experts in their fields and offer a wealth of knowledge, from fundamental concepts to innovative ideas and solutions. They provide extensive support and guidance. On top of that, they are incredibly friendly and approachable, creating an environment where you feel comfortable sharing and discussing your thoughts. It's almost like having a guardian on campus.

More about: IIHMR Bangalore Admissions

Q. What facilities are available on the IIHMR Bangalore campus? What do you like the most, and what do you think is unique or differentiating?

Ans: The IIHMR Bangalore campus offers a wide range of facilities, including a beautiful library with an extensive collection of healthcare journals, research publications, management books, and motivational novels. IIHMR Bangalore facilities include a dedicated lab space for students, and the ADMIRE-Centre for Advancing Digital Health, which supports entrepreneurial activities, among other resources. My personal favourite is ADMIRE, as it has provided valuable support for my own product development project, thanks to the guidance and mentorship from the faculty.

Q. How comfortable are your hostels and how about the cleanliness factor over there?

Ans: The IIHMR Bangalore hostels offer comfortable accommodations with ample space for students. They provide good food, clean drinking water, Wi-Fi, and separate TVs in each room. Additionally, there are washing machines for laundry, and dedicated staff clean the rooms daily, ensuring a pleasant and convenient living environment for students.

Q. What about the IIHMR Bangalore medical facilities? Can you avail requisite medical attention if needed in an emergency?

Ans: IIHMR Bangalore has a sick room available for those who are unwell and provides the option to refer students to the nearest hospital if needed. Additionally, we have a mental health consultant on-site to offer support and counselling to students who require it.

Q. How do you balance your studies, projects, exams and other activities?

Ans: It feels like a trick question for many management students. There isn't a formula for balancing studies, activities, exams, and projects-it just happens. We prioritise what's most important at any given time, and everything else falls into place as needed.

Q. Tell us about the clubs and societies at the campus and how significant are they from your point of view or students’ point of view.

Ans: Coming from a purely clinical background, I find that club and committee activities play a crucial role in preparing us for the industry. Being part of the E-cell has exposed me to numerous industry experts and their entrepreneurial journeys, helping me grasp complex ideas in a simplified manner. It's been like reading a book to prepare for a career in management. I'm also part of the Newsletter committee, where my role as a content writer has significantly improved my writing skills.

Q. Is there any in-house magazine or journal for the latest events or happenings at IIHMR Bangalore?

Ans: We have PULSE, the official newsletter of IIHMR Bangalore, which is released every two months. It covers not only events at the institute but also tracks the growth and trends in healthcare management. The newsletter includes interviews with alumni about their experiences in the industry, as well as sections on training, research, and publications. There's also a Talent Corner that highlights students representing IIHMR at various events outside the campus, with special recognition for those who win.

Q. What are the popular hangouts at IIHMR Bangalore? What, according to you, are the most-visited places nearby?

Ans: Neeladri Nagar is probably the most frequented spot nearby, as there aren't many hangout options close to the institute. However, on campus, we do have Kavita Aunty Khanawali, UP wale bhaiya's chai and samosas, and some ice-cream parlours. You can find happiness in the little things if you know where to look.

Q. How do you spend your leisure time at the IIHMR Bangalore campus?

Ans: The backyard staircases and lawn area are my favourite places to chill at the IIHMR Bangalore campus. It's a peaceful place where you can really enjoy the greenery and the amazing Bangalore weather.

Q. Do you have any Facebook page of your campus where the students express their views jokes or ideas, or maybe even a blog where they write about their experience of life at campus?

Ans: IIHMR Bangalore has an official Facebook page, but I'm not aware of any informal page where students share their thoughts, jokes, or ideas.

Q. What type of companies come for campus recruitment and what percentage of students get placed every year? How is the IIHMR Bangalore placement process here?

Ans: IIHMR Bangalore has consistently achieved a 100% placement record over the past few years, and this year is no exception. We have had prominent recruiters such as Deloitte, Medi Assist, consulting firms like IQVIA, and international offers from Burjeel Group of Hospitals. Students are placed according to their skills and the requirements of the companies that recruit on campus. The IIHMR Bangalore placement process is seamless, and the faculty continuously motivates students to perform at their best.