In the often quoted article titled ‘Data Scientist: The Sexiest Job of the 21st Century’, published in Harvard Business Review in 2012, authors Thomas H. Davenport and DJ Patil highlighted the emerging importance of Data Science, and its Practitioners. “Data Scientist… is a high-ranking professional with the training and curiosity to make discoveries in the world of big data.” In the ensuing decade, Data Science has become a central part of every company’s decision making.

The Vivekanand Business School (VBS) carries with it the rich legacy of Management teaching methods of its parent, VESIM. VBS was initiated as the standalone Institute to offer the autonomous programme of PGDM, which is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA), and has received equivalence as an MBA Degree of an Indian University from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)*. VBS is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). 

Set up in 2010, IIM Raipur is the tenth IIM established by the Government of India. Today, IIM Raipur offers many programs including flagship PGPM, Executive Post Graduate Program in Management and FPM. The newly built IIM Raipur campus is situated across 200 acres in Naya Raipur, the new capital city of State of Chhattisgarh.

Often, Industry leaders decry that B-schools approach them with a transactional mindset – to merely seek Placements and Internships for their students. On the flip side, B-schools opine that most industry professionals are short on time, and are unavailable for developmental goals. One B-school that has developed a strategic pathway for effective corporate engagement is JAGSoM, an AACSB Accredited B-school with campuses in Bangalore and Greater Mumbai.

Indeed, the faculty is, or should be, at the core of any learning institution. More so at a B-school where students and young executives are groomed to become future business leaders. After all, most MBA alumni don’t remember the fancy buildings and labs but vividly recall a few faculty members who helped them transform. However, attracting top faculty is often the biggest challenge that B-schools face. Good faculty members have many suitors and are often looking for the right academic challenges to expand their horizons – in teaching, research or consulting roles.

The Government of Tamil Nadu has selected Bharathidasan Institute of Management  Tiruchirappalli (BIM Trichy), as the Academic Partner for its newly introduced Tamil Nadu CM’s Fellowship Program. It will be a 2 year program and at the end of the two year Fellowship program the participants will receive Post Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Management with an option to enrol for PhD with due credit transfer.

After the Russian President Vladimir V. Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, many countries including USA and UK have announced significant economic sanctions banning imports of goods and services from Russia. Leading MNCs like McDonald’s, PepsiCo and Shell have announced to pull out of Russia. Now B-schools and business education accreditation organizations too are taking action. Three top global accreditation bodies -- AACSB, EFMD, AMBA– have jointly decided to suspend membership and accreditation activities in Russia.

Prof Ram Kumar Kakani, faculty at IIM Kozhikode, has been appointed as the new Director of IIM Raipur. Dr Kakani, who has taken over the charge on March 8, 2022, succeeds Dr Bharat Bhaskar who has served as Director of IIM Raipur since 2017. Dr Bhaskar extended a warm welcome to Dr Kakani on his joining as new Director at IIM Raipur, to which Dr Ram responded, “Thank you IIM Raipur family for this warm welcome. Feel proud to be part of this. Regards Ram.”

US, EU B-schools dominate 2025 FT Global MBA Ranking
Two US business schools — Wharton and Columbia — top the 2025 FT Global MBA Ranking, while five of the next six leading institutions are in Europe. IESE Spain is ranked third, followed in joint fourth place by INSEAD of France and Singapore and Bocconi in Italy. 2025 FT MBA Rankings were released on February 17, 2025. Check details in table 1 below. 

Table 1: US, EU B-schools dominate FT Global MBA 2022 Ranking