Hyderabad B Schools go global to woo foreign students

HYDERABAD: To increase their visibility on the global scene and to woo foreign students, the city-based B schools are designing new modules. Top management schools are trying to increase their network with foreign universities by having student exchange programs and foreign faculty members.
"Just last month, we had a group of students from the United States interact with our students and get the feel of academic atmosphere here.We are trying to send one batch of our students to China in the latter part of the year as part of an exchange program," said C V Kumar, dean, academics, ICFAI Business School (IBS).
The Indian School of Business (ISB) has partnered with 42 schools across the globe including France, South Africa, Germany, China and Israel, and typically has 30 international students at any given point. "We have an outbound exchange programme which enables our students to spend time at top B schools worldwide. This helps to broaden their perspective and build new connections," said V K Menon, senior director (admissions and career services) at ISB.
Institutions are also roping in international faculty either to hold workshops or as guest lecturers as part of the teaching faculty. Modules taught by them include strategy development, global management, entrepreneurship, women leadership etc.
"It is important for a management student to be aware of the global scenario. Interaction with global experts gives students the edge and improves their market value as well," K Narendra, assistant professor at Dhruva College of Management, which holds regular lectures and workshops conducted by international management experts.
However, despite efforts to go international, most of these B schools are still in the process of achieving international accreditation. Barring ISB, most of the institutions are yet to obtain accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), considered as the apex body to accredit business schools worldwide.
City B schools however feel that the AACSB is not really required since an association with any international university is proof enough of their credibility. "Our students get their degree from a management institute in Belgium and many of them are also sent to top business schools across the world. This itself is an international certification," said an official of the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM), Hyderabad.