Though the world is slowly but surely recovering from the pandemic, it is clear that we are not merely returning to a state of normalcy, but reimagining the road ahead. A fundamental transformation is underway, from the way we live, learn, work and play, to the very building blocks of our economies and societies.
Businesses across the globe have been disrupted by the crisis, with some being forced into closing the shutters, others taking massive blows to production or productivity, and yet others pivoting strategies to stay afloat. Amidst the economic blowout, the ongoing situation has also presented unexpected opportunities. Many start-ups, SMEs and businesses have been wildly successful. In fact, start-ups powered by technology are being hailed as the harbingers of economic recovery. The pandemic has sparked trends that are here to stay. It has underlined what is important as we move towards an unpredictable future.
Globally, management professionals are playing vital roles as world economies look to rebuild. Innovation, dynamism, creativity, agility, strategic thinking, holistic problem-solving, and data literacy are coming front and centre. While these have always been the ideal among management/business students and professionals, the thrust of the recent times has accelerated the need for more robust management education that will drive businesses to success. The opportunity to build and rebuild businesses in the post-pandemic era is a fascinating challenge for young students who aspire to enter the world of business.
Shaping businesses to be resilient in the wake of crises calls upon a new generation of business leaders equipped with a dynamic skillset and multifaceted outlook, who are capable of thinking ahead, mitigating and managing such uncertainty.
This is where a contemporary business school comes into the picture. The Jindal Global Business School (JGBS) is built on the foundation of transformative management education that integrates impactful multidisciplinary learning with a strong focus on research, industry partnerships and global collaborations. At JGU, we believe in nurturing students to adapt to dynamic roles and challenging environments instead of preparing them for categorical jobs.
As a result of this institutional ethos, learning at JGBS draws from global management perspectives and innovative pedagogies at the intersection of business, finance and technology—a cutting-edge breeding ground for future-ready management professionals. Adding to the general three-year Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Honours programme, JGBS now offers three unique new BBA specialisations: Family Business, Business Analytics, and Financial Markets. Interestingly, these are very relevant domains that will play important roles in paving the way, post-pandemic.
Family-owned businesses already hold a significant place in the Indian economy. Students who have an entrepreneurial mindset and a clear vision of following in their family ventures can bring something new to the table with the Family Business specialisation. It grooms students to be equipped for the challenges in professionalisation and transformation of family businesses. Savvy with contemporary global business practices, they can fill the gaps in existing business models and make valuable contributions to their family businesses, taking them to new heights.
Similarly, the Business Analytics pathway seeks to plug the gap for talent that can transform the way businesses function across industries. Data analytics helps organisations make better decisions, respond quickly, prevent downtime, mitigate risk, and improve overall performance. When data is rapidly becoming the most valuable asset, this is an opportune time to consider futures in business analytics. The programme will impart the necessary skills, exposure to the latest analytics tools and techniques, coupled with a strong business acumen, that will uniquely position students to explore careers as analysts, consultants, researchers, and so on. It is ideal for students who enjoy numbers and are interested in technology; those who want to build future-proof careers in a wide range of industries impacted by data.
The Financial Markets pathways taps into a trillion-dollar industry that forms the backbone of any economy. It brings insights into equity market, debt market, fixed income market, derivatives market, money market, and other financial institutions. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of various products and services, and learn the tools to analyse financial data for decision making. They will also be able to understand and participate in policy debates related to innovation in products and services offered by these markets and institutions. It is best suited for students with strong quantitative skills who are interested in understanding fast-evolving financial markets and their role in the business world.
In the backdrop of the pandemic, the three new programmes are designed to place students at the forefront of businesses of the future. Students learn about the basics of accounting, finance, economics, quantitative techniques along with other basic foundation courses including history, governance, society, economy, and climate. They are exposed to core business, financial markets, problem-solving, and data-handling tools and techniques. Students can choose from a range of courses designed for each specialisation. They will also take up tailored experiential learning projects, have access to dedicated mentorship, and have a chance to pursue study abroad options at leading business schools at Singapore Management University; The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; University of California, Los Angeles; Deakin University, Australia; and Pace University, New York.
The multidisciplinary learning environment at JGU offers an inherent advantage to undergraduate management students. They can choose electives from different schools depending on their interests and career goals. Students of JGBS have interned with industry powerhouses such as Deloitte, PWC, and HDFC Bank, and start-ups like WeWork. They work on projects in professional teams, handle responsibilities, remain accountable, and gain exposure to working in the business world. Focused on evolving industry trends and demands, JGBS equips students with the knowledge, skills and tools that are poised to set the benchmark among future business leaders.
