“We try foster the spirit of Entrepreneurship through almost everything we do at SCMS Cochin School of Business”- Dr. Filomina George, Director, SCMS Cochin School of Business

Today’s generation views Management degree and its skills very differently. Textbooks are no more sufficient. Ideas are everywhere. The rhythm and spirit of the country have changed. There are too many tools and technologies to keep pace with. All sorts of information are available in the matter of clicks. One is constantly fed with news and updates. The world has become one global village. Naturally, students need very stimulating environment to think differently and execute those thoughts to action. We asked the Director of SCMS Cochin School of Business about the initiatives that the institute is taking in order to foster the correct ecosystem for its PGDM students?

This leading PGDM school of Kerala in a conventional fashion earlier offered the credit full course on entrepreneurship. But keeping the changes in the industry in mind, it has gone through a major overhaul in the recent past. Prof. George throws light on the recent development when she says, “This year we have made a lot of changes to the course. We have got a pool of experts including those from the corporate world, domain specialists and entrepreneurs from in and around Cochin, who are contributing towards structuring and executing course. Their inputs are vital for students to learn from.”

Prof. George also stresses on the fact that the institute does its best to create opportunities for students to interact with young entrepreneurs in the country. It makes them aware of challenges entrepreneurs face at the onset, and also inspires them. “Students thus learn the nuances of businesses and are equipped in some ways for the challenges they might be facing in their entrepreneurial journeys. Today’s students are more open about things they would like to start; imbibing business acumen in them can make a big difference to their dreams,” she adds.

In fact, according to Prof. George, besides those who want to work towards corporate careers, there are aspirants who come to SCMS Cochin because they want to build the best platform for their entrepreneurial dreams. “Some of them also come from business families and they are not really looking for employment in corporate houses. The school offers these bright minds with all the technical backing and know-how of management concepts, marketing strategies, etc. which they further implement in their ideas to make the roadmap,” she states.

To hone the skills of students, the institute also has an entrepreneurship club that gives them hands on learning experience. Through different initiatives and programs, it ensures that each and every idea gets sufficiently encouraged. “The club organizes different contests like business plans, which are quite enriching. It also offers support to startup village in organizing job fairs, taking up internships with them. Thus students get the feel of how to start a business and surmount the challenges they face,” she says. And that’s what the institute plans to achieve with its various initiatives that boost entrepreneurial bent of mind amongst students.