Rankings

SBM has set standards, policies and procedures in such a manner that the curriculum for each academic program is consistent with national and international standards in each discipline/ area. The scope of the courses within each program is reviewed and updated to ensure continuous quality enhancements. A structured system of curriculum review and the Board of Studies meetings are conducted every year. This ensures that individual faculty members review the content, modify it and update the curriculum in the context of the changing requirements. This process enables the faculty to keep the curriculum and their classroom delivery in line with the requirements of the industry.

The SBM MBA and Ph.D. programs emphasise on holistic learning with a focus on curricular and co-curricular aspects. To do so:

• The program structure is compared with that of peer business schools.
• The civic engagement program, with a three-week internship, is made compulsory for all full-time students.
• Outbound training has been made an integral part of the learning process for all MBA students.
• Case study and other participant centric learning methods have been adopted across all MBA programs.
• Introduced unique industry-owned elective courses.
• Freedom given to faculty members to employ a range of innovative and interactive teaching methodologies in the classroom to align the curriculum in tune with the assurance of learning.
• Include industry projects as a part of course curriculum to make learning practical.
• Organize workshops on contemporary topics to provide value addition to students.
• Group projects included in most courses to augment team learning.

All courses across programs have a master syllabus with well-defined, precise learning outcomes and content. The course plans are developed jointly by groups of faculty members teaching the subject, led by the discipline chairperson.

THE CURRICULUM CONTENT MANAGEMENT

The courses in different disciplines are prepared keeping in mind the level of expertise required to understand organizations in the present-day context. SBM has a practice of providing textbooks to students for courses in the first year, to help them develop conceptual knowledge and enhance their ability to apply what they learn to their work. SBM has a review process at different stages to assess the theories and concepts covered in its courses.

SKILLS ADDRESSED IN THE PROGRAM CURRICULUM

The MBA program is structured to include courses from across disciplines (specializations) such as strategy, marketing, finance, operations, Human Resource Management and information management. Accordingly, it covers all dimensions of business and adds value to the program.

Through various courses in the program, students are equipped with the ability to:

• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing
• Identify ethical issues and address these in a socially responsible manner – in the MBA programs, there are compulsory courses on Corporate Social Responsibility and ethical issues in management.
• Analyse and frame problems through analytical thinking – courses with cases and other learner-centric methods provide opportunities to develop analytical abilities.
• Work effectively with others and in team environments.
• Understand financial theories, analysis, reporting and markets.
• Understand systems and processes in organizations, including planning and design, production/operations, supply chains, marketing and distribution.
• Analyse and harmonize group and individual behaviours in organizations and society.
• Use Information Technology and statistics/quantitative methods which include data creation, data sharing, data analytics, data mining, data reporting and storage between and across organizations, and related ethical issues.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS

There are faculty development activities that support continuous improvements in instructional methods. All faculty members are encouraged to participate in faculty development programs, seminars and conferences to stay in touch with the frontiers of the profession. The city of Mumbai provides many opportunities for professional enhancement. Members of the faculty are nominated every year to Harvard Business School, to the colloquium of participant-centred learning to provide them with inputs that enable them to engage students and thereby enhance their learning.

The curriculum design and the quality of question papers also play an important role in enhancing the quality of examinations. Evaluation is the final testimony to learning and has a bearing on the product. There is continuous interaction amongst faculty, the Dean of SBM and the examination section. The University believes that faculty development is an on-going process and encourages publication in refereed journals, both national and international, in the respective functional discipline of the faculty. The faculty is expected to engage in research and writing of books in their respective disciplines.

CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK FOR CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT

SBM obtains feedback from the recruiters to identify and immediately correct the gaps, if any, in the overall grooming of the students. Wherever necessary, value-added workshops, conferences and seminars are organized. Guest speakers/ area experts from the industry are invited to deliver sessions on the latest trends in the industry. Since SBM is located in the country’s financial capital, it is able to draw on resources through its extensive industry networks.

There is a strong focus on teaching-learning processes at SBM. All programs of the school are aligned to the school mission and the program learning goals emerge from this mission. The five program learning goals of the MBA program are:

• An understanding of global issues impacting organizations
• Critical thinking skills
• An integrative approach to decision making
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills
• An understanding of CSR, ethical and sustainable business models

These program learning goals are measured through course learning goals which are listed down in the course outlines for the programs. The course outlines are the guide to the teaching-learning process and help to improve the effectiveness of classroom engagement.

The development of the course learning objectives in sync with the overall program learning objectives and in turn with the mission of the school is the Assurance of Learning (AOL) process followed by SBM. AOL is the outcome of the AACSB accreditation process and has been institutionalized at the school. The AOL outcomes are used to drive curriculum improvements. Thus, at SBM emphasis is on learner-centric approaches.

The learning goals and the circle of measurement

Amidst the current challenges brought about by the sudden and forced move to a virtual mode of teaching and learning, SBM stays committed to its emphasis on the teaching-learning process. Backed by appropriate technological support and digital learning tools the school continues to deliver seamlessly in the virtual classroom. The effective mixing of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning have ensured that the student engagement and motivation stay intact in this new normal.