Discover BIMTECH's Top-Ranked PGDM in Sustainable Development Practices

Words Rusen Kumar

NEW DELHI (IndiaCSR): BIMTECH (Birla Institute of Management Technology), ranked 7th among India’s top private B-Schools as per National HRD Network in 2013, has been successfully running a world class Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Sustainable Development Practices-PGDM (SDP) for the last 4 years.

PGDM (SDP) has been ranked 95th among the top 100 Masters programs globally. It has also received Gold Award at Indian Management Conclave 2013. The programme is closely associated with the MDP Global Network by Earth Institute, Columbia University to provide access to high standard global pedagogy and alignment with around 36 world’s leading Universities. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of PGDM (SDP) programme.

Dr. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director, BIMTECH shares his vision and views on PGDM (SDP) and how it contributes to the society.

What is the vision and mission towards PGDM-SDP?

To prepare business leaders who will not only care for profit but also for people and planet.

When it was launched?

Course was launched in the year 2010.

Why India needs Special PGDM in Sustainable Development Practices?

Since 1992, the concept and applications of Sustainable Development (SD) have gained global prominence. Both public and private sectors have been forced to critically review their strategies, policies and interventions to incorporate ‘Sustainability’ as an integral and essential foundation of survival and growth but there is tremendous shortage of ‘Sustainability Professionals’ in India to meet the growing need.

Experts estimate that around 8,000 to 10,000 green jobs have been opening up each year for the past 10 years. Recent government policies and CSR requirements will further generate demand for professionals in development sector and CSR divisions.

Traditional courses do not address the need to link the three fundamental dimensions of sustainability – social, economic, and environmental systems at conceptual and operational levels. The interlinkages and their implications are not adequately reflected in the courses and pedagogy. In our course, the core building blocks of Management are provided and followed by interdisciplinary domains in order to apply the principles of sustainability.

What are the unique features that make PGDM-SDP a better option to the students?

The course provides multidisciplinary knowledge and practical skills to meet the needs of development and corporate sector. About five months are devoted to field work/internship/short term projects. Regular conferences and workshops by leading international organizations such as United Nations, Global Reporting Initiative, KPMG etc. provide the necessary knowledge and global exposure to the students.

During the programme, students get international exposure through inter university sessions of Global Classroom coordinated by Earth Institute of Columbia University, USA. They get an opportunity to learn from international experts practitioners and engage in discussions with foreign students through web conferencing.

The programme is ranked 95th among Top 100 Masters Programmes in International Survey of EDUNIVERSAL, France. It has also received Gold Award at Indian Management Conclave 2013.

Briefly explain the course curriculum and faculty members?

Programme is being offered under trimester system inclusive of immersion programme, summer internship, short term projects, and winter internship. The Foundation Year prepares students to learn the basic concepts and practices of Management. During the final year, applications and models of intervention in different domains and electives such as Sustainable Business Models, Livelihood, Food and Nutrition Security and Financial Inclusion are offered. An appropriate balance of academia and practicing professionals as faculty is maintained.

How is the corporate response to the programme?

During a short span of 4 years, the programme has evoked much interest among corporate, public sector, national and international developmental organizations, donor agencies etc. and more than 100 organizations have forged relationship by providing employment/internship opportunities to the students.

Students of this programme have been given space for internship and placement in leading organizations such as Ernst & Young, Dabur Ltd, DLF Foundation, Bharti Foundation, ITC Ltd, National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), Asian Institute of Technology (Bangkok), Grant Thornton, International Development Enterprise (Bangladesh), Swisscontact (Bangladesh), GiZ, JK Paper Ltd, ACC Ltd, Mother Dairy, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), ACDI/VOCA (Walmart CSR Project), Foundation for MSME Clusters, ACCESS Development Services, Development Alternatives, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), Sahara Q Shop etc.

What are the key competencies PGDM-SDP aims to develop in the students?

Students are prepared to gain both conceptual and practical knowledge of the various dimensions of sustainability. They acquire practical knowledge during five month internship and regular case/report writing assignments. Global exposure provides awareness of the cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary, multinational dimensions of the field.

A spirit of collaboration both inside and outside the classroom is fostered among students from diverse backgrounds and distant regions through increased communication skills and social networking tools so that they are prepared to work in the complex professional world of development practice.

What are the various career opportunities open to PGDM-SDP students?

PGDM-SDP offers a wide range of career opportunities with national and international NGOs, international development agencies, corporate and public sector, industry associations such as CII, FICCI, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries etc and research and consultancy organizations.

How PGDM-SDP is better option for those who are looking for career in Corporate Social Responsibility?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the core modules of the programme which is well structured to provide conceptual and experiential learning in the domain of CSR through field trainings and short term projects. Modules on community investment strategy, research methods, data analysis etc. prepare students to effectively function as CSR professionals.