MBAs have always been in demand and the trend will continue in the future too.
Stating that India requires 20 million managers in the next 10 years, Mr Swaminathan K., founder, CEO of online the business school, myBskool.com, said, “Online courses are here to stay and there are a lot of job opportunities for those who complete an online programme.
Students can log on and study, participate and interact with other students anywhere and anytime. India needs 20 million managers in the next 10 years and employers themselves sponsor online programmes to equip their employees,” he informed.
Unlike traditional correspondence courses where study materials reach one’s home and there’s hardly any contact with the university, these online programmes help students interact with faculty, who have vast experience in the field of management.
Mr Swaminathan had launched myBskool.com in association with IMT-Ghaziabad last year to facilitate working professionals as well as students. “A one-year executive MBA programme costs Rs 60,000 while it will cost much more in top B-schools; a two-year programme costs Rs 1 lakh,” he informed.
“I’m working in a logistics company and the reason I chose online MBA is because it’s very interactive as I can chat with lecturers, listen to online classes and interact with other students,” said Ms Krishna Pallavi, a MBA student.
Though online MBA helps working professionals and the cost involved is quite less, Prof. S. Sriram, executive director, Great Lakes Institute of Management, pointed out that while online courses have great potential, they can only supplement regular courses.
Mr Ananda Krishnan, HR manager in a private concern pointed out that online courses were suitable for working professionals but when it came to recruiting freshers, they preferred students from regular colleges, as they had more exposure in practical management.