Thiagarajar school of Management

Dr. Murali Sambasivan is the Director at Thiagarajar school of Management. He is a dynamic leader who keeps a taper down approach to build a robust foundation for students. He believes and emphasizes the importance of learning through practical sources and thus attaining knowledge. Read here what he has to say in his interview. 

Tell us about your experience in the education industry and what makes it the best industry to work in?

“To bring positive transformation in the lives of individuals keeps me connected to the sector”

After completing bachelor and masters’ degrees in engineering from India and PhD from the USA in Management Science, I was attached to the corporate world for ten years. Then, I moved on towards the academic sector. I have been in the education industry for precisely 21 years. I firmly believe that the reason for my existence is to touch the lives of as many people as I can in the most positive way. It is easily achievable in the education industry. Looking back, I have helped more than 60 PhD students graduate and have taught thousands of students over the years. Inner satisfaction that one can derive by being in the education industry is immense and incomparable.

When heading an educational institute, it is very important to have a dynamic approach towards both student and faculty development. How do you achieve that?

“I make sure to adhere to my responsibilities and improvise wherever necessary”

An educational institution consists of three main internal stakeholders: students, faculty and staff. Developments of these stakeholders are vital for the success of the institution.

Students – The tagline of TSM is ‘learn to learn’. We equip students with the necessary technical skills (depending upon the area of specialization) and soft skills that will help them learn and adapt as quickly as possible to the uncertainties/challenges that they will be facing.

Typical developmental activities for students includes:

  • Club-related activities, 
  • Volunteering in the admission process, 
  • Volunteering in the internship and placement processes, 
  • Conceptualizing, arranging and managing Yukti program (where students from all over India participate), 
  • Rural immersion program (RIP – students spend two weeks in the rural areas to understand the problems and provide solutions),
  • Internship program (SIP – students spend about six to eight weeks in organizations), 
  • Industry simulation program (offered as a module)
  • Opportunity to interact with industry experts in various modules.

Faculty – the quality of an educational institution depends upon the quality of faculty members. The faculty members play a very active role in the holistic development of students.

Typical developmental activities for faculty members are: 

  • Providing opportunity to attend relevant training programs (TSM bears the cost)
  • Encouraging faculty members to present papers in conferences (TSM bears the cost) and publish in quality journals 
  • Providing opportunity to collaborate with faculty in other business schools and organizations 
  • Providing opportunity to play a very active role in MDP programs.

Staff – the support services to the faculty and students are handled by the staff. Staff members are encouraged to enhance their skills by participating in relevant training programs (TSM bears the cost).

How does the curriculum of Thiagarajar School of Management Studies ensure the best practice of industry?

“We make sure to make use of best industry practices to teach our students”

Typical avenues that are used by TSM to keep the curriculum current are: 

  • Board of Studies – This board has academics from other business schools, representatives from Alumni club, and industrialists. BoS meets once as a year, and the curriculum is discussed in detail, and changes to the curriculum are introduced during the meeting with BoS 
  •  TSM has regular meetings with Alumni, and during these meetings, best practices in the industry are discussed
  • During the placement season – many companies visit TSM. Typically, after the interview session, a brief discussion is conducted to understand the industry expectations.

Check Thiagarajar school of Management Courses & Fees

Any of the significant challenges you faced as the Director of Thiagarajar School of Management?

“There is a drastic difference in the international and Indian curriculum”

My academic experience has been international. Therefore understanding the procedures and processes (internal and external) and requirements of regulatory bodies were quite challenging. Although, recently, I have been able to understand and function according to the existing system

When you first came to Thiagarajar School of Management, what was your vision for the institution? Has it evolved over time, and how far have you come in implementing that vision?

“We are moving in the right direction to achieve what we want”

When I joined TSM, my vision was to move TSM to the next (higher) level by implementing the future plans . We have started moving in that direction. We have already signed MoUs with Saito University, Malaysia and Peradeniya. We are aggressively pursuing the implementation of the PhD program.

The education systems in India and other foreign countries are structured very differently. In your experience, what can an inbound student gain from studying here in Thiagarajar School of Management?

“The difference is in the delivery of courses and the type of experiences students receive”

I do agree that education systems in different countries are different. The modules taught, content and even the references used can be the same. The difference is in the delivery, cultural context, and the experiences the students get. The students who enrol with TSM will get groomed cognitively, effectively and with conation. TSM believes in grooming future leaders who excel in human governance.

Any suggestion you would like to give the current youth and aspiring students?

“Students should make wise career decisions”

When you are in the process of selecting a business school, look at the following factors: 

  • Quality of faculty members, 
  • Quality of programs,
  • Experience that you are going to get (can get views from alumni, reliable social media platforms, magazines, and from the institute’s website),
  • The companies offering internships and placement, and 
  • CTC (this should be the last criteria).

Click Thiagarajar school of Management Placement