Evolving Learner-Centered Management Education: A Holistic Perspective

Abstract

The institutes engaged in imparting management education (B-Schools) have to prepare the right manpower as required by the industry and collectively act as a key component of the industry ecosystem. The manpower requirements of the prospective recruiters in general and of the corporate sector in particular are to be built into the educational programmes. The focus of this paper is to make a case for learner-centered management education (LCME) especially in the context of two-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme. The paper presents an overview of current scenario of management education in the country, lists out the essentials of LCME and proposes innovations in academic governance for evolving an efficient, powerful and long lasting LCME. This model essentially treats students as the customers and commits to deliver value to them. The paper underscores the need for going beyond curriculum as part of delivering value to the learners. The responsibility of B-Schools include fulfilling the expectations of the learners, maximizing learning among students in general and helping slow learners in particular to achieve the desired level of academic achievement, grooming students for better placements, and finally, making them complete human beings. There are challenges as well in fostering LCME as the students seeking admissions to MBA programme are from heterogeneous backgrounds. The paper recommends a level playing field for leveling up their understanding of various management facets and functions.