SKIPS

Dr. Prof. Gurpreet Singh R. Arora is currently designated as the Director of St. Kabir Institute of Professional Studies (SKIPS), Ahmedabad. He has more than 15 years of teaching and 8 years of research experience. His qualifications include a degree in M.Phil, Ph.D. in Economics.

Prof. Arora has authored few books on Economics and has published his research papers at the national level. With this, he is an active guest lecturer at IBS, Ahmedabad, Amity, School of Social Science, School of Commerce. 

Experience in the education industry and what makes it the best 

My experience in the education industry has been wonderful. It is a demanding sector but also most fulfilling. One has to be passionate to be successful in this sector. There are many reasons for working in the education sector, as it is a big enabler and great leveler.

I have always had a chance to instill knowledge in young minds. This noble profession helps in making meaningful change in the lives of people. Those that choose to enter the education sector are contributing to the overall development of the society. 

Leadership philosophy and style 

As per my understanding, a leader is someone who develops ways to ensure implementation to achieve necessary outcomes. I have always planned the basic tenets of my role as a leader in the academic organization.

For me, the key focus includes:

  • Setting a vision and goals 
  • Exploring new strategies for the growth of the programme 
  • Empowering and engaging faculty and staff 
  • Identifying and resolving daily issues and conflicts 

Challenges faced as the Dean at SKIPS

If you are doing the job right, you will not be able to make everyone happy. Student-related challenges, faculty, and staff related challenges and curriculum related challenges are part and parcel of one’s life as a Dean. 

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Placement opportunities at SKIPS and USP of Curriculum

St. Kabir School of Business offers PGDM with Dual Specialization in Marketing (Digital marketing), Finance, Human Resource and International Business which is a job-oriented Program. A variety of profiles are opened up for PGDM students in various sectors such as - Banking, Financial Services, Manufacturing, FMCG/Retail, Consultancy, Pharma, E-Commerce, Logistics, Media/Telecom.

As far as the second question is concerned we ensure that our curriculum fosters current corporate trends and international standards. SKIPS provide special training to students for profile enhancement program where students are instructed to clear various certifications like Google certification, Hoot suit certification, Social media certification for digital Marketing, focused examinations like IRDA for 

insurance, certificate from Association of Mutual Fund in India (AMFI) for Mutual Fund, certificate from National Institute of Security Market (NISM). 

Prof. Arora views on various institutes level of education 

If any premier B-school has a specially designed program that aims to bridge the gap between skill set desired by the corporate and the skill set of a management graduate then definitely that institute can come at par with the eminent levels of IITs or IIMs. The difference can still remain but only with respect to the kind of intake that other institutes may have.

As you know the best of students get admissions in IITs and IIMs others who are unable to get admission there search for quality B-schools other than IIMs. It is with this respect B-schools have to differentiate themselves by providing quality education with best curriculum practices. I think we have been successfully doing so for a decade by now.

Ideal school environment and culture as per the Dean of SKIPS

Be ethical, take your profession seriously and be innovative. My objective is to provide students their right vocation. As a part of my own mandate to create global managers, I lay special stress on cross cultural sensitivities and etiquettes. 

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Goals for SKIPS in the coming years

In coming years we would like ourselves to be acclaimed nationally and internationally as one of the best management institutes in India. Our vision is to be a center for excellence in management education committed to developing socially responsible corporate professionals. We are striving to achieve our vision through emphasis on academic rigor, skill development, research based education, quality assurance in Education, recognized certificates and adherence to national qualifications and corporate exposure. 

I want my students to feel that when they post-graduate from SKIPS, they lead with more than just a qualification, and they are equipped with an exceptional skill set that ensures excellence in the corporate world. With that perspective in mind for coming years, I will make sure that our course pedagogy is designed to ensure that the students understand the complexity of management processes and management approaches.

Suggestions to the upcoming youth and aspirants 

There are plenty of career opportunities for management graduates. There is a shortage of skilled manpower in the corporate world. When students enter into the PGDM program, they should do live projects and internships seriously to learn the details about the profession. These internships can shape what specialized area the student may want to pursue. 

One should make an honest commitment to preparing for one’s future, ask as many questions as possible, be enthusiastic about one’s career.