The Hindu Business Line : `Corporates still hungry for MBA graduates'

MBA programmes have not witnessed the vicissitudes that the IT industry has been subjected to, and in large metros, corporates are still hungry for MBA graduates who meet their competency requirements, according to Mr R. Prasad, Dean, ICFAI National College.

The ICFAI University has promoted the `National College' concept with a view to aiding students in smaller towns to do MBA courses tailored to suit the requirements of industry.

It is in the process of establishing a National Employment Exchange (NatEx) to help alumni secure jobs across the country, he added.

Speaking to newspersons in Coimbatore on Friday, he said that looking at the trend in the last one decade, the nature and degree of employment among MBA graduates has only improved.

Unlike the IT industry, which has gone through cycles, the MBA has witnessed a steady upturn because companies look for people who would help them face competition better.

Going by the experience of ICFAI in business education for the last one decade, corporates in large metros are "still hungry" for good quality manpower.

"If the rigour of the programme undergone by the candidates meets the requirements of the companies, they would employ them."

On the creation of a NatEx, he said that the ICFAI University was trying to create a framework for identifying sources of jobs across the country so that students studying in small towns are aware about jobs in faraway centres. As of now, NatEx is primarily for ICFAI students.

ICFAI offers two types of MBA programmes under its banner, from ICFAI Business School and ICFAI National College.

"There is a need to train students from smaller cities and help the fit into the requirements of companies. The source of faculty members, source of students, the level (of fee) within the reach of students from these towns are all very different from what metro students can afford. Having two different entities addresses the varying needs far better and the focus is much better."