The Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business (HSB) at JK Lakshmipat University, part of the JK Group, has launched India's first specialised MBA programme in Product Management. This groundbreaking two-year, full-time residential programme integrates design, technology and strategic business management, setting a new standard in business education.
The MBA in Product Management is crafted to develop agile, modern, tech-savvy and responsible full-stack product managers. It prepares students for leadership roles in both large enterprises and startups. The programme is especially suited for graduates in Engineering, Design, Media, Business, Commerce, Economics and Liberal Arts, who ideally have 2 to 4 years of work experience and are proficient in technology, with foundational skills in SQL and Python.
In an interview with BW Education, Gregory J. Dunn, Dean, Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business, discussed the inspiration behind their new MBA in Product Management. He emphasised the programmes goal to innovate beyond traditional business education by integrating design, technology and strategic management. Dunn highlighted the curriculum's interdisciplinary approach, which includes industry mentorship to bridge theory with real-world application. He also underscored their commitment to financial accessibility through various scholarships, ensuring talented students from diverse backgrounds can benefit from the programmes offerings.
What inspired the creation of the Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business and what is the vision behind this new business school?
Our goal was to create something different from the traditional business schools. While there are many excellent standard MBA programmes, we didn't want to produce another cookie-cutter institution. Instead, we aimed to develop a novel programme that would add unique value to India's educational landscape and offer students opportunities they couldn't find elsewhere.
By leveraging the strengths of our university and core faculty in areas such as design, technology and management, we integrated these disciplines to create a specialised programme in product management. This innovative approach was central to our vision.
Our ultimate goal is to expand this programme into a more comprehensive business school, adding additional programmes while maintaining our original philosophy. We are committed to breaking down geographic, intellectual and cultural boundaries, equipping students to compete effectively in a rapidly changing global environment.
The HSB MBA programme is launching with a specialisation in Digital Product Management. Why was this particular specialisation chosen?
Product management builds on the core strengths of JKLU, a design, engineering and technology-driven university. This field synthesises all these domains, making it increasingly important and in high demand. Often, companies hire general MBAs due to a lack of specifically trained product managers, which then requires additional training. It’s challenging to find someone ready to think like a product manager and effectively integrate various domains right from the start.
Our programme equips students to seamlessly transition into product management roles or related positions, ready to operate on the ground from day one. While our MBA programme is interdisciplinary, emphasising product management, it also draws from a broad range of industry mentors. These mentors include experienced product managers and professionals from related fields, helping students with diverse interests apply their specialised knowledge to various domains.
How does the curriculum of Digital Product Management prepare students for the evolving business landscape?
At the heart of our programme is preparing students to be future-ready. We focus on breaking down barriers between industry and academia. Each student is paired with a dedicated industry mentor aligned with their interests, helping them apply classroom learning in real-world contexts. From day one, students engage actively with industry and the outside world, ensuring that their education is not just theoretical but practical and applicable.
This approach fosters both industry and academic partnerships, moving away from the insular environment typical of many business schools. What excited me about joining this institution was the opportunity to integrate the best external resources into our curriculum. Our philosophy is to build a dynamic, engaging learning experience over two years by actively involving the outside world, ensuring that our students benefit from the best available knowledge and practices.
Can you provide examples of practical projects or internships that students will engage in during their studies?
Many of these students will join the same companies where their mentors are working. This means they may work directly with their mentors, who have been guiding their holistic educational journey. This journey includes not just books and tests but also the development into future product managers. Since mentors know the students well, the roles and responsibilities will be designed and tailored to their strengths. Instead of starting fresh in an unfamiliar company, students work alongside leaders who understand them. This approach maximises the experience for the student and enhances their contributions to the organisation.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid options available for students in the HSB MBA programme?
We offer a variety of scholarship options to ensure that no student misses out on this opportunity due to financial constraints. Our scholarships are available for underprivileged students, those facing financial difficulties and exceptionally talented individuals. It's important to us that talented students can fully realise their potential through our programme.
We provide both need-based and merit-based scholarships, with varying amounts, which is standard practice at most business schools. However, our emphasis is on ensuring we attract talented students regardless of their financial situation. If a highly talented student lacks the means to join us, we are committed to finding a way to support them. We actively work with students to ensure they have the necessary resources to participate in our programme and we strive to ensure that no one is turned away due to financial reasons.
BW Reporters
The reporter works as Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld
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