Student Diversity: How JAGSoM is Focussing on Batch Diversity, and Attracting Students from 25 Indian States and UTs

While most Indian B-schools were struggling to grow their application numbers, last year JAGSoM stood out with its unique and differentiated admissions approach. Not only did JAGSoM manage to grow its application numbers by 50%, but it also improved Student Diversity. Indeed, JAGSoM’s strategy, initiatives and outcomes to improve batch diversity are worth documenting.

But, before we review JAGSoM’s Batch-Diversity strategy, here is a quick overview of the institution, which has transformed itself in the last decade.

JAGSoM’s Transformative Journey – Key milestones

• In 2010, BITS Alumni & Techpreneur Sanjay Padode took over as the Chairman of IFIM Business School, set up in 1995 by his Father late Shri VB Padode, founder of Dalal Street Journal (DSJ) Group.
• In 2018, IFIM Business School became the sixth B-school in India after ISB, TAPMI, IIM Calcutta, IMT Ghaziabad, and XLRI, to be AACSB Accredited.
• In the same year, Dr. Atish Chattopadhyay, former Director of IMT Ghaziabad, Dean of MICA, and Deputy Director at SPJIMR Mumbai joined IFIM Business School.
• On October 21, 2020, IFIM Business School Bangalore got rechristened as JAGSoM after globally respected management guru and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Jagdish Sheth.
• In 2020, QS ranked JAGSoM amongst the Top 100 Masters in Marketing Ranking 2021  programs in the world. It continues to feature in this ranking for last three years.
• In February 2022, JAGSoM became the first B-schools in India to get a Multi-Campus (Bangalore & Mumbai-Karjat) & Multi-Program (both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels) Accreditation from AACSB International.
• JAGSoM is now firmly established as No. 2 Business School in Bangalore, second only to IIM Bangalore. JAGSoM was ranked 26th All India by Business Today Rankings 2024 and ranked 11th in India among top private business schools by MBAUniverse.com Rankings 2024.

JAGSoM offers PGDM and MBA Programs Across Bangalore and Mumbai Campuses.

With this introduction, let’s come back to the JAGSoM’s Student Diversity strategy.

Why is Student Diversity Important?
Simply put, Student Diversity encapsulates the varied backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and talents that collectively enrich an MBA program learning community. According to JAGSoM, an important component of the MBA/PGDM program experience is batch diversity. Says Dr Atish Chattopadhyay, Director, JAGSoM, “Diversity is a vital component of the MBA/PGDM program experience. It makes a substantial contribution to the program's efficacy.” When asked for specific benefits of student diversity, Dr Chattopadhyay shared following benefits:

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Diversity offers exposure to different perspectives, and challenges students to think critically and consider alternative solutions to complex problems. Interacting with classmates from different backgrounds encourages creative problem-solving approaches, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.
• Cultural Competence & Global Perspective: In a diverse batch, students can engage with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. This helps students develop cultural intelligence and sensitivity. This cultural competence is essential for navigating global business environments and effectively collaborating with stakeholders from different cultures, leading to better decision-making and enhanced performance in international markets.
• Enhanced Learning Experience: A diverse cohort creates a dynamic learning environment characterized by rich discussions and exchange of ideas. Students learn not only from faculty but also from each other, gaining insights into different industries, regions, and perspectives. These interactive learning experiences deepen understanding and retention of course material, leading to better academic performance.
• Networking Opportunities: Batch diversity also expands students’ professional networks, connecting them with individuals from various industries, regions, and backgrounds. Building relationships with diverse classmates opens doors to new career opportunities, partnerships, and mentorship possibilities. Strong networks established during the program can have long – lasting benefits for students’ career advancement.

How does JAGSoM achieve Batch Diversity?
So how does JAGSoM achieved the desired diversity in its cohort…What is the overall approach and strategy? What are the key initiatives that are undertaken? In response to these questions, JAGSoM leadership revealed its Student Diversity strategy. Let’s uncover the building blocks.

JAGSoM Alumni and Aspirant Meets across India

“Calling all MBA/PGDM aspirants from New Delhi to experience "A Day with the JAGSoM Family". Be a part of the JAGSoM Alumni Meet in New Delhi on 9th March 2024 at "Lord of the Drinks", Connaught Place and get a chance to interact with the faculty, students and the alumni of the Institution. Come and experience an evening filled with some great interaction, delicious food and networking.”

A LinkedIn post by Prof Rajarshi Chakraborty,  Admissions Chair at JAGSoM.

Above social media post reveals one facet of the strategy being used by JAGSoM to engage with aspirants from different parts of India. JAGSoM effectively leverages its Alumni and Faculty strengths at these meets to attract bring students.

Says Dr Chattopadhyay, “Alumni & Aspirant interaction plays a crucial role in fostering a sense of continuity, mentorship, and mutual benefit between the Institution, potential students, and alumni. The future of JAGSoM is all about an effective partnership between its alumni and current students, between alumni and aspirants and between alumni and faculty.”

Let’s understand the JAGSoM Alumni Meet (JAM) and Aspirant initiatives. 

JAGSoM Alumni Meet (JAM)
JAGSoM has an alumni network that comprises business leaders, entrepreneurs, academicians, artists, and writers. JAGSoM also boasts of a world class faculty who are committed to achieve learner’s success. The JAGSoM Alumni meet provides the perfect platform for our successful alumni to meet and interact with the Star Faculty. These successful and engaged alumni then act as the brand ambassador and spread a positive word on JAGSoM.  

Aspirant Connect Initiatives
In addition to periodic in-person aspirant connect meets across India, webinars play a crucial role in the recruitment and enrolment process for JAGSoM. These initiatives have helped JAGSoM to reach out to aspirants across the country in following ways.

• Information Dissemination: Webinars provide an opportunity for prospective students to learn about the program offerings, curriculum structure, faculty expertise, campus facilities, and other relevant information.
• Engagement and Interaction: Webinars enable direct engagement and interaction between prospective students, admissions staff, faculty members, and current students. Attendees can ask questions, seek clarification on program specifics, and interact with individuals associated with the institution.
• Personalized Guidance: Our webinars provided personal career guidance to the aspirants. This personalized guidance helps prospective students navigate the application process more effectively, increasing their chances of submitting competitive applications.
• Building Relationships: Hosting webinars allowed us to establish and nurture relationships with prospective students. Through these interactions, applicants get a sense of the institution's values, culture, and commitment to student success.
• Accessibility and Convenience: Webinars provide a convenient way for prospective students to access valuable information from anywhere with an internet connection.

Outcome: JAGSoM Attracts Students From 25 States, including J&K, Northeast
A clear impact of JAGSoM’s focus on student diversity can be seen in the State Representation of Batch 2023-25. JAGSoM PGDM Batch of 2023-25 has students from more 25 states including J&K and Northeast. Interestingly, even though JAGSoM is based in Bangalore, the top two contributing States in admission are West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh! Karnataka comes at the third spot. Maharashtra, Bihar and Tamil Nadu are other leading States. Even remote states like Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim have student representation at JAGSoM.

State Representation (nos. in %age)

Academic Background and Gender Diversity (nos. in %age)

Sportsperson & Authors Join JAGSoM
Another facet of JAGSoM’s focus on Batch Diversity is that its students encompass a rich tapestry of talents, featuring accomplished sportspersons and prolific authors such as...

Outcome: Students Drop Offers from Reputed B-school to Join JAGSoM
JAGSoM informs that another interesting outcome of concerted efforts to improve student diversity. JAGSoM shared that many students who have received offers from other well-known B-schools have joined JAGSoM last year.

When asked for more details, JAGSoM Chairperson Admissions - Prof. Raj Chakraborty said: “Yes, our students have received admission offers from various Business Schools across the country. Some of the Business Schools from which they have receive offers are ICFAI Business School, Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, NMIMS, XIME, Welingkar Business School, IMT, BIMTECH. Great Lakes, BML Munjal, XIMB, etc.”

Given that these are well known B-schools, we asked JAGSoM leadership as to why do these students get attracted to JAGSoM from these well-known B-schools? JAGSoM shared following possible reasons for this:

• Role Defined 'Career Tracks: This is an intervention that prepare a student to match their aspiration with opportunity. It prepares students for a ‘Role’ in terms of their career goals based on one’s strength. This is different from traditional B-Schools which prepare students for ‘function’ (Marketing, Finance etc) and NOT ‘roles’.
• Industry Internship Program (IIP): While a typical ‘Summer Internship’ for most B-schools fall between the first and the second year, JAGSoM’s IIP is held at the end of the program in the sixth term, after the student has done their core courses, elective courses required for their Major, and importantly have prepared for a ‘specific career role’ over the fourth and fifth term. Hence, JAGSoM IIP is a long 16-week initiative, held between November-February, just before the program ends. This gives students a big edge in Final Placements with 60% PPO!
• Pathway Program with Global B-schools:  JAGSoM offers pathway programs with leading B-Schools like State University of New York, University of Texas Arlington, and Georgia State University in USA. In Europe, JAGSoM has pathway programs with KEDGE Business School, Renne Business School in France and with HSLU at Switzerland. Students of the MBA program at JAGSoM can study one year in India in USA or Europe. The programs in USA are STEM certified enabling graduates to work for three years initially post the completion of the program.

In conclusion, the pursuit of fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment, JAGSoM's commitment to student diversity stands as a beacon of innovation and excellence. Through strategic initiatives and unwavering dedication, the institution has not only witnessed a remarkable surge in application numbers but has also achieved a commendable enhancement in batch diversity. JAGSoM PGDM & MBA Admission 2024 are open for a few days. Apply Now.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM)