Dr. Alok Bansal is the Professor and Head in Systems and Quantitative Techniques Department of Prestige Institute of Management & Research (PIMR), Indore. He has 21 years of teaching experience and one year of Industry experience. His areas of interest include subjects like Information Systems, IT for Managers, Business Analytics, Business Research Methods, and Decision Making Skills. He is a recognized Ph.D. Guide of Management. Ten Ph.D. degrees were awarded under his guidance. He has seventy-five publications to his credit. He completed the research project entitled Management Research in India and developed a monograph entitled Management Research in India: A Bibliography of Doctoral Topics in the year 2006. He has received the best teacher award of the Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Indore two times for the years 2015-16 and 2017-18. He is a corporate trainer of SPSS, MS Excel, R, etc. and conducted many training sessions for executives, faculty members, and students.

PIMR Indore

What are the key factors that keep you connected with the education sector?

“Passion for this noble profession where I have direct interaction with the future generation of the nation”

I had a very gratifying experience with the higher education sector. I have been fortunate to have worked in various positions, as a teacher, mentor, trainer, Ph.D. guide, and administrator in this sector. I loved to be around youth when they are growing into responsible mature adults, and I loved to contribute to their professional growth. This sense of fulfilment makes higher education the best sector to work in. 

How does the curriculum of PIMR, Indore ensure the best practice of industry?

“We regularly revise the curriculum of all the programs with the help of industry experts”

  • The Institute has a dedicated Board of Studies and Academic Council with at least two members from the Industry. 
  • The Institute signed MOUs with many industries for curriculum updates, guest lectures, industry-oriented certificate programs, etc. 
  • The Institute also takes advice about revisions of curriculums from other sources of the industry such as guest faculty, recruiters, alumni, etc.
  • We incorporate their feedback and suggestions into our curriculum in regular intervals so that the students will truly be industry-ready. 

What do you think your responsibilities to the University and the students are?

“To meet the program educational objectives and motivate the team to own up to their roles”

Senior academic position in the Institute means I have to interact with all members of my team and try to sort out problems they are facing at their professional fronts. What I find challenging in this position is to generate regular consultancy from the industry. My roles and responsibilities towards the students are to develop them as expert professionals. They will provide innovative and sustainable solutions to business problems.

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What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next 10 years?

“To gain international acclaim and introduce in-demand courses with modern electives”

For an Institute like PIMR having NAAC ‘A’ or ‘A++’ Grades in the last three cycles, it should now have international accreditation. PIMR is marching towards this direction by accommodating several streams as diverse as management, commerce, law, journalism and mass communication, and social sciences. With due importance to interdisciplinary courses, we have introduced open electives under the choice-based credit system. The goal is to increase the rigour and reach global standards in every discipline. 

What has been your vision since joining the university?

“To develop myself as a good teacher, researcher, trainer, and administrator”

My association with PIMR, Indore has been a very fulfilling experience for me. The professional growth-oriented platform provided by the top management helped me to evolve myself as a leading senior professor. I evolved myself as a recognized trainer of Research Methodology, IBM SPSS, Advanced MS Excel, R Programming, and Data Analytics. Getting regular invitations to conduct Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), EDPs, and MDPs from various institutes show that my vision is implementing the systematic growth path set by my seniors.

What do you see as PIMR, Indore’s greatest strengths?

“Quality and affordable MBA programs, with unique offerings of choice-based curriculum and specializations options”

The PIMR, Indore’s greatest strengths are:

  • Good Intellectual capital in terms of well-qualified faculty members and the richest library having a good collection of books, journals, periodicals, etc. 
  • Upgraded Education ERP Software ACCSOFT 2.0 is capable of serving all the stakeholders wherever they are.
  • Strong existing relationships with Economic/Management Development Organizations such as CII, IMA, AIMA, AICTE, UGC. 
  • A good number of MoUs with the Foreign University, and with some business houses/Government organizations.
  • The Institute participated in three cycles of NAAC, Bangalore accreditation consistently in the last 15 years. In the first two cycles it was accredited by “A” grades (with CGPA of 3.11 and 3.33 respectively). Now in the third cycle completed recently, it received an A++ grade with a CGPA of 3.76. As a result, the Institute is recognized by UGC as a Mentor Institution for NAAC Aspirant Institutions.
  • Institute conducts various activities to address societal concerns like collaboration for Swachh Bharat Mission with Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). It has also helped the government in developing and conducting e-learning programs for the IMC officials under capacity building scheme.
  • PIMR fee structure is reasonable in size and acceptable for a common student. Also scholarship facility available for SC/ST/OBC categories students. 

What are the biggest challenges for higher education in the current scenario?

“Inability to create industry-ready professionals with the changing market and industry needs”

With specific reference to management education, the challenge is students’ perception of education as solely a means to a high package job. But to fully engage all the students in the process of industry-specific grooming exercises is a real tough job. The most challenging aspect for PIMR, Indore is to create a niche in the higher education sector with the ever-increasing competition in academic offerings (online and face to face). A large number of private universities and off-campus deemed universities entering the state, specifically in Indore, have already started imposing tough competitions.

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Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth?

“Be ready to face all the changes and advancements of a dynamic business environment”

To make a successful career, students need to work hard and smart. They must be well versed with the existing industry trends and make themselves future-ready. They should focus on internships, OJTs, industrial visits, real-world projects/assignments along with regular studies.