B-school trends come and go, but one that seems to have legs is the creation of specialized MBA programs, particularly by second-tier schools. The schools find them useful for attracting students and cementing their brand identities at a time when competition among schools for the best students is intense. In recent years, they’ve becoming increasingly common (BusinessWeek.com, 7/19/07) even at high-profile schools. Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, and the Wharton School now offer specialized MBAs, majors, or dual degree programs in areas like real estate, sports management, biosciences, electronic commerce, and health care.

But is a specialized program always a good choice for an MBA student?

Not necessarily. While established programs have placement records on par with those of their general MBAs, many newer programs have not yet established the kind of recruiting relationships that guarantee students high-paying jobs at graduation. And graduates always run the risk of getting hamstrung by their specialties later in their careers, when an industry downturn forces them to look outside their specialties for opportunities.
Chart Your Own Path

Some who have gone through the specialized programs say they are best for those with a firm idea of their future goals, and who are keen to chart their own path. “I knew what I wanted to do,” said Carrie Stern Rathod, who received her MBA from Wisconsin’s Brand ‐ Product Management Center in 2005 and now works for Procter & Gamble (PG), which recruits regularly from the program. “There’s a range of people for whom this program is ideal. If you have an entrepreneurial bent but are not sure you’re ready to take the leap yet, the program might be right.” But, she added, “I think it would be tough if you wanted to go into consulting or something like that.”

For students who aren’t comfortable breaking away from the pack or seeking out professional contacts in unconventional ways, a specialized MBA might not be the best choice. This is especially true at less well-known schools, where big companies often don’t recruit. Students in these programs agree that making industry connections can require a lot of initiative from the student. “If you have a very specific company in mind, you might need to be a trailblazer in making relationships with those companies,” says Rathod.

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Would-be MBA students getting ready to take the GMAT might be in for a little surprise when they show up at the testing center. In addition to all the usual security measures—including video monitoring and the computer adaptive test itself—test takers will soon be asked to submit to a new one: a biometric device that uses an infared light to capture the test-taker’s unique “palm vein pattern.”

Pearson VUE, the company that administers the GMAT for the Graduate Management Admission Council, plans to announce the new security effort tomorrow, but BusinessWeek got a sneak peak at it today.

The Fujitsu “PalmSecure” device will be rolled out next month at 16 testing centers in India and Korea for GMAT candidates. It goes live in the U.S. this fall, and when fully deployed will be used in 400 facilities in 107 countries by May 2009.

The announcement comes as the b-school world is embroiled in a cheating scandal involving the GMAT–users of a now-defunct test prep Web site, Scoretop.com, have been accused by GMAC of using it to post and access live test questions, and GMAC has said it will cancel the test scores of anyone who violated its rules.

But the new security measure is designed to stop a different kind of cheating–the use of professional test takers, or proxies, to take the exam on behalf of someone else. GMAC’s been burned by this type of cheater before. Back in 2003, it busted a half dozen people who took the GMAT for others for about $5,000 a pop. GMAC canceled 166 scores as a result, and five of the six imposters ended up at Rikers.

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Chairman and Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies Limited (BSE: INFY) NR Narayana Murthy was presented on Saturday, the “brand-comm’s most admired Business Leader Award.

brand-comm, leading brand consultancy, advertising and relations company, said that after its third annual b-school study, Murthy has been admired for the most visionary and its value for the third consecutive year, managing students from ten institutes across India.

The distinction was Murthy director of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, Professor PG Apte, said today, the management of students were seeking job opportunities in an environment that was created for their overall growth .

“You need leadership to exceed the global market and in a world increasingly competitive, a visionary, as Narayana Murthy is indeed an inspiration to all of them,” said Apte.

It is that time of the year again when thousands of students across the country appear for a slew of entrance examinations conducted by various business schools in the country.

This year, the examinations begin on November 11 and end on January 6. Unfortunately, Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) and ICFAI Business School Aptitude Test (IBSAT) are scheduled on the same day (December 16).

Speaking to The Hindu, Ajay Arora, Director, Triumphant Institute of Management Education, Bangalore centre, said that the clash in the dates of a few management aptitude tests is not uncommon. “I do not know what the fuss is all about. Every year, something similar happens,” he said.

Last year, the entrance exam for Faculty of Management Studies and Narsee Monjee Aptitude Test were held on the same day. “One cannot blame the institutions for the clash in dates. The best time to conduct the entrance tests is between November and January, as the students will not be over-burdened with mid-term examinations,” Mr. Arora said.

The admission cycle is such that for a programme to commence in June, the entrance test must be conducted between November and January, so that the results may be announced in April. Mr. Arora said that around 20,000 students of the country appear for the IBSAT and 18,000 to 20,000 appear for SNAP. “The question is how many of those students will appear for both the entrance tests. That group is not very big. The number of students ‘affected’ is minimal,” he said.

The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, which appealed against slapping of a whopping Rs 3.19 crore income tax by the department, will now pay only 50 per cent of the amount, a top IIMB source said.

“Tax authorities raised a demand for Rs 3.19 crore for the assessment year 2003-04. We have appealed against this and have now been asked to pay 50 per cent of the amount,” Ketoki Basu, Financial Controller, IIMB told PTI today.

Taking into account the returns filed by the B-school for the assessment year 2003-04, the IT department denied exemption under section 10 (23C) (iiiab) of the IT act, 1961, on the grounds that “we (IIMB) are not wholly or substantially financed by the government,” she said.

The IIMB, she said, has filed an appeal against this and “we are also contesting the denial of the benefit under sections 11 to 13 of the Income Tax Act, 1961.” The B-school has also written to the Human Resource Development Minstry (MHRD), for a notification stating it (IIMB) is “wholly or substantially financed by the government,” Basu said.

However, till date the IIMB, has not received any response on the application, she said.

Michael Dell, chairman and CEO of computer major Dell, has joined the governing board of Hyderabad-based Indian School of Business.

ISB’s governing board is chaired by Rajat Gupta, MD of McKinsey and Company, an ISB release said here on Thursday.

“I am happy to be associated with a world-class management institution that is in the business of creating tomorrow’s industry leaders”, Dell said.

Calcutta: It took the Ministry for Human Resource Development (MHRD), two months after the date of notification of the claim for damages Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta swallow the bitter pill.

But finally, Murli Manohar Joshi mürrischen team broke the defence of IIM-C faculty.

The prestigious B-school agreement Tuesday on annual tuition fees of 1.25 lakh bar RS RS 30000

The dissolution of the IIM-C Board of Governors, surrounded by its chairman, YC Deveshwar, went for the MHRD order. But sharp, it should be noted that the MHRD has ensured the establishment of autonomy and their ability would not be affected by the tax bar.

The resolution stipulates that: “It is important to resolve conflicts, to advance and move around. That is why, in a bid, a way forward for the Government may, in the belief that it is for faith Institute and that it is in the field of MHRD policy framework on subsidies to education. ”

He said that the Council accepts the foot of the line Murli later, he was by the MHRD that the financial consequences of the tax bar would be entirely taken by the government.

Would it any obstacle to the preparation of development plans world-class teaching and learning infrastructure.

He assured the faculty that the decision did not affect their interest.

“If the experiment be otherwise, the board and subject to any question of a revision.” The Board of Directors of the decision of the college of members of some seething in anger. “The resolution, he failed to address the interests of all parties concerned, the Faculty of one of them,” pyrogéné Ashish Bhattacharya, dean of management and planning.

IIM-C director Shekhar Chowdhury said: “I’m always understand, if the bar is subject to fees for the Institute. In addition to consideration of the resolution is necessary. “

The best minds of the State budget main Business School, press their “know-pool” to do more work-friendly industry. The effort is part of government’s initiative to introduce labour reforms for the sector unorganisierte.

The State Ministry of Labour-Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), implementation of an extensive study on the progress of industrial disputes and union Acts, as workers more gracious, with an emphasis on social security. The proposal was adopted by the B-school to a high-level meeting today.

At the meeting which lasted nearly two hours on campus XLRI, labour department officials, headed by Minister Raghuvar suggested that the study should XLRI industry disputes Law, the Law Association and the Confederation the problems faced by workers unorganisiert the industry.

When contacted, said the Labour Department was committed to the welfare of workers in the sector of unorganisierte, he said, were most affected because of the worst “of indifference and apathy” l ‘employer.

“We XLRI during the study on the social aspects of security in the secondary sector unorganisiert studies of commerce and industry dispute European Union. B-school authorities have shown a positive response and gave to the implementation of the exercise, said the DAS. The survey was thinking that in a month.

However, a team of the division of labor, composed of the Secretary of Labor and the Commission’s work would be Kerala and Maharashtra Tour of February 2 to labour legislation.

“We will check the labour laws of both countries to help one political work and the union Act. We asked the XLRI necessary given that the know-how in the field of industry of the relationship. We hope that XLRI entries help the framework of a effective labour market policy,”he said.

The Ministry of Labour also has a High-Level Commission, headed by the Commissioner current labour market on the revision of labour and trade union laws.

The top recommendation of the commission should also be taken during the development of the labour market policy or for that matter, any necessary changes to labour law.

Sources said during the meeting the question of creating their own work animal welfare-XLRI Fund discussed with the authorities, welcomed the proposal and agreed to consider the issue in its report.

Others present at the working meeting with the secretary AK Sinha, the work of Commissioner Dhirendra Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of Labour, is Singhbhum Akhileshwar Paswan and XLRI team was represented by the dean, academics, EM Rao.

With five days to definitely on the campus of Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), students are a part nervous.

Although the three days Campus Recruitment Program (CRP-2003) starts from February 9 companies have already begun the selection of candidates from Assessment Center - a new function was added that the recruitment process last year.

Representatives of four companies - Citi Bank, Icici, Colgate Palmolive and Accenture - have begun to recruit students of the campus center.

Candidates whose names are listed Assessment Centre must be a costly selection process with discussions and interviews.

However, the names of candidates during the program.

The course of pre-placement talks, the mouth of the people called PPTs, offer students the opportunity to informally with representatives of different companies.

It serves as an important tool for understanding the perspective of the business.

Companies such as ABM-Amro, Britannia, Larsen and Toubro, Berger colors, Essar, customers on campus XLRI have confirmed their participation in the program.

Among the new businesses of insurance, PSU and Business Process Outsourcing sector have also shown interest in the appointment by students of XLRI.

According to the B-school members of the investment committee of more than 50 companies expected to own while the final placement.

“We have confirmation from more than 50 companies. We hope that all our 130 students from staff management and Industrial Relations Management and Business Development Charge obtain jobs in recent recruitment process,” said a member of committee. During three days of the cessation program, several businesses would be time window after his convenience.

Last year, students had received their internships on the second day of the program.

This year, the Institute has created a new function - Video Conferencing Installation - for companies that are not to participate.

In addition, it also has the online registration to be done away with paper.

After spending three eventful years at the institute, it is time for the class of 2003 to put its skill to use. The business managers of tomorrow are looking forward to the 47th annual convocation of the Xavier Labour Relation Institute(XLRI) tomorrow.

The annual convocation ceremony will be held at XLRI’s Tata auditorium. XLRI authorities said the convocation would begin with a procession of students wearing the traditional gown followed by a prayer song by the students’ choir.

Director-general of Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Raghunath Anant Mashelkar will deliver the convocation address while Fr. Marian Zelazek, director Ishapanth Ashram, Puri, would be presented with the prestigious Sir Jehangir Ghandy Medal for industrial and social peace.

“We look forward to this day as the annual convocation is the culmination of our moulding process at XLRI. It is undeniably a day cherished by each and every student. It is a day that projects the brilliance of the institute. The day serves to remind that students of XLRI are committed to becoming business leaders,” said Gaurav Goopta, a student of business management, who will be graduating this year. Another student, Subrat Panda, who has signed up with SBI Capitals, in the recently-held campus recruitment drive, said, “The institute and my batchmates will always remain close to my heart. Though we will hardly get to meet each other once we leave the campus,we will be in touch over the Net.”

The classes of 1978 and 1993 have been invited for a get-together on the eve of the convocation and they will also be present for the function the following day. The ceremony will enable families of the students to interact with the B-School fraternity. Family members of outstation students have started arriving in the city for the convocation.

Altogether 156 students will graduating this year. The outgoing batch includes 65 students from post-graduate diploma course in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations (PM&IR), 60 from the post-graduate diploma course in Business Management, 29 from Executive Post-graduate Programme in Management and three students from the Fellow Programme in Management (which is equivalent to Ph.D programme).