KIIT School of Rural Management Bhubaneswar Success Story: Interaction with Ashmita Thakuri

In an interview with Careers360, Ms. Ashmita Thakuri (student at KIIT School of Rural Management Bhubaneswar) shares her journey at KSRM Bhubaneswar about institutions, courses, challenges faced, facilities, placements and more. To learn more about KSRM Bhubaneswar from a student perspective, go through the interview with Ms. Ashmita Thakuri.

About: KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM), Bhubaneswar is a constituent college of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneswar. The KSRM Bhubaneswar courses include MBA Rural Management, MBA Agriculture Business Management and PG Diploma in Community Development (PGDCD). For KIIT School of Rural Management admissions, candidates are shortlisted based on KIITEE Management, KIITEE/ CAT/ XAT/ CMAT/ MAT/ JEE/ CET/ OJEE/ TISSNET and other national exam scores followed by GD and PI.

Careers 360: Tell us something about yourself such as from which place are you from?

A: My name is Ashmita Thakuri. I am from Darjeeling West Bengal.

Careers 360: Presently which course are you pursuing and in which year are you?

A: I am pursuing an MBA (RM) from the KIIT School of Rural Management. I am in my first year second semester.

Careers 360: Did you face any difficulty in the initial months when you joined the institute?

A: The curriculum is likely more rigorous with analytical skills and time management. Students coming from diverse backgrounds and locations find it difficult to adjust to a new social environment. KSRM provides orientation programmes and pre-field workshops to prepare students for rural immersion and equip them with the necessary skills.

Students might experience homesickness, anxiety, or difficulty in managing time and workload. KSRM has a dedicated counselling centre and student support services to provide guidance and address emotional well-being concerns.

KIIT School of Rural Management recognises this and provides various resources and support systems to help students overcome challenges and thrive in their academic and personal lives. By utilizing these resources and seeking help when needed, students can navigate the initial months successfully and make the most of their KSRM experience.

Careers 360: What activities are offered in the institute? Are there any clubs etc for the various extracurricular activities? Which ones have you taken up and are a part of?

A: The institute offers a variety of activities, including the cultural club, media club, entrepreneurship cell, communication club, NSS, marketing club, CSR club, media cell, alumni cell, placement cell, and newsletter committee. Additionally, there are diverse events like dance competitions, ramp walks, and cultural events that provide a well-rounded experience. Currently, I am in the CSS committee. I have applied for the Marketing Club and Communication Club.

Careers 360: Describe a typical day at your institute—what do you do from the time you wake up till you go to sleep?

A: My typical day at the institute starts with waking up, refreshing, and reading articles before having breakfast. College classes begin at 9 AM and usually end around 1:30 PM or 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM. After that, I engage in assigned activities, go for evening walks, complete assignments, prepare for presentations, and then head to bed. It's a balanced routine that combines academics, activities, and relaxation.

Careers 360: Tell us about the faculty-student ratio here and about the teacher-student relationship in your understanding.

A: KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) boasts a healthy faculty-student ratio of 12:1. This ratio is considered excellent when compared with other B-schools in India, which can range from 20:1 to 30:1.

Teacher-student relationships at KSRM are generally described as being positive and engaging. Here's what I understand about them is accessibility, individualised attention, collaborative learning, expertise experience and mentorship. With such a low ratio, students have much better access to their professors for individual consultations, clarifications, and guidance. This can significantly contribute to student success and satisfaction.

Careers 360: What facilities do you have at the campus? What do you like here the most which you feel is unique and differentiating?

A: KIIT School of Rural Management facilities include academic infrastructure, residential, recreational, healthcare and additional facilities. Some unique aspects that set KSRM Bhubaneswar apart are focus on rural immersion, entrepreneurial ecosystem, community engagement, diverse and inclusive environment and strong industry connections.

Careers 360: How comfortable are your hostels and what about the cleanliness factor over there?

A: Hostel Rooms at KIIT School of Rural Management are spacious and well-ventilated, with comfortable beds, study desks, and ample storage space. Basic amenities like fans, geysers and laundry facilities are also available. KSRM has a central cafeteria serving various cuisines, and some hostels might have their own mess facilities.

KSRM prioritises cleanliness and hygiene on campus. Students also play a role in maintaining hostel cleanliness. There might be designated committees or rosters for tasks like garbage disposal or keeping common areas tidy. Student perceptions of cleanliness can vary depending on individual expectations and tolerance levels.

Careers 360: What about the medical facilities? Can you utilise medical attention if needed in an emergency?

A: On-campus facilities include a health centre (equipped with basic medical supplies and staffed by qualified nurses and a doctor available during specific hours) and an ambulance (available on campus for emergency situations). KIIT School of Rural Management has an off-campus medical facility (KIMS Hospital). Apart from this, additional services like medical insurance and counselling services are available.

Careers 360: How do you balance your studies, projects, exams, and other activities?

A: Balancing studies, projects, exams, and other activities as an MBA in rural management can be a real challenge. I can share some strategies that I have learned and used myself that you can adapt to your specific situation, such as planning and prioritising, time management and maintaining physical and mental health.

Careers 360: Tell us about the clubs and societies at the campus and how significant they are from your point of view or the student's point of view?

A: The institute offers a variety of activities, including the Cultural Club, Media Club, Entrepreneurship Cell, Communication Club, NSS, Marketing Club, CSR Club, Media Cell, Alumni Cell, Placement Cell, and Newsletter Committee. Additionally, there are diverse events like dance competitions, ramp walks, and cultural events that provide a well-rounded experience. Currently, I am in the CSS committee. I have applied for the Marketing Club and Communication Club.

Careers 360: Is there any in-house magasine or journal for the latest events or happenings at the institute?

A: Yes, the KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) has several avenues for students and faculty to stay updated on the latest events that is happening within the institute and beyond. Some options to consider are KSRM website, Social media, KSRM Connect, The Ruralite, Departmental newsletters, Notice boards and Word-of-mouth.

Careers 360: What are the popular hangouts at the institute? What, according to you, are the most-visited places nearby?

A: The famous hangouts at the institute are the Cafeteria, Library Garden, lawn, KIIT Garden, KIIT Sculpture Garden and more. Some of the nearby places to visit are Sikharchandi temple, Nandan Kanan Zoo (zoo cum park), Jaydev Vatika (botanical garden), Naraj Dam, Khandagiri and Udaygiri caves, Lingaraj temple, dhauli temple, chillika lake, etc.

Careers 360: How do you spend your leisure time at the campus?

A: After a crazy day, I love grabbing snacks with friends, trying all the street treats, and searching for cute cafes. Sometimes, a movie nightcaps it all off.

Careers 360: What type of companies come for campus recruitment and what percentage of students get placed every year? How is the recruitment process here?

A: KIIT School of Rural Management (KSRM) attracts a diverse range of companies for campus recruitment, offering graduates promising career opportunities in various sectors related to rural development, agribusiness, social entrepreneurship, and beyond. Types of companies that visited KIIT School of Rural Management placement drive are Development organizations, Agribusiness and allied industries, Consulting firms, Financial institutions, Private companies and more.

According to KSRM placement reports, the placement percentage stood at more than 90% in recent years. The recruitment process at the institution includes pre-placement talks and workshops, shortlisting and online tests, group discussions and personal interviews followed by job offers and placements.

Disclaimer: This content was distributed by KIIT School of Rural Management Bhubaneswar and has been published as part of Careers360’s marketing initiative.