The future is managed exceptionally well by those who are guided by visionary Gurus with the pragmatism of ages. A ‘Home-grown guru in management education” was how Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME), Bangalore’s Principal Founder, Chairman, and builder, Prof. J. Philip, was described by Mr. Thothathri Raman in a special write-up on him in the feature ‘Heritage’ in an issue of ‘Indian Management.’ With its campuses also in Kochi and Chennai, today XIME is recognized as one of the top Business Schools in the country.
Recalling her alma mater, a student, Ms. Aditi Khare of the 2017-2019 batch from XMIE, Kochi, said, “The sessions at XIME inculcate a culture of understanding global perspectives, inspiring us to effect change at similar levels in the near future.”
While another student, Yash Jain, from the 2017-19 batch of XIME Bangalore said, “With sound domain knowledge in various fields and with the development of other soft skills, XIME has not only helped me in enhancing my knowledge but also paved the way towards becoming a vibrant manager. The exposure given to me through participation in various fests and other events has allowed me to gain valuable experience. The international tours have helped me expand my horizon and gain additional knowledge which is proficient in my career.”
Under Prof. J. Phillip’s exemplary leadership, XIME has been guiding thousands of students to become responsible future leaders. He has a unique professional career spanning almost 60 years – having started at XLRI in 1960. He became its Dean in 1970. While at XLRI he co-founded the prestigious PGDM Programme of that Institution. After a very productive stint in the industry, he returned to academics as Director of IIM Bangalore (1985-91). Of the several distinctive contributions that Prof. J. Phillip had made to Indian Management Education, two unique ones are:
- The founding of the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS) in 1988 and
- The founding of the BRICS Business Schools Association in January 2009 (ABBS).
He was honoured by the All India Management Association with its prestigious
- Kewal Nohria Award for Leadership in Management Education in 2011.
- In 2009 – XLRI honoured him with its Alumni Life Time Achievement Award.
- And The Hindu honoured him in 2017 as a ‘Doyen’ of Education in Karnataka.
In a candid discussion with Insights Success, Prof. J. Phillip elaborated on how XIME is shaping India’s future commerce and management leadership.
Please brief our audience about XIME, its Vision, Mission, and USPs, and how you are currently positioned as one of the most Reputed Commerce and Management Colleges.
The only constant in this world is change. The ebb and flow of change are perennial in economies, industries, and businesses. It is indeed a challenging task for managers to constantly adapt to these changes.
Welcome to XIME! We will prepare you for such a turbulent world.
In the 62 years that I have spent in the field of management education, I have seen wave after wave of changes that have assailed management education. Here at XIME, not only have we not gone under those waves, but we have also succeeded in riding many of them.
Built on a culture of merit, integrity, and liberality of outlook, XIME, grooms future managers through a comprehensive and contemporary curriculum supported by courses in ethics, international business, and ample industry exposure. Appreciation of societal issues is inculcated through various social action programmes and notably a three-week project on ‘Socially Useful and Productive Activity.’ On the whole, our endeavour is to develop managers who by dint of their capability and character can measure up to the diverse challenges of the world of business and industry.
At XIME you will be part of an exciting journey of exploration, learning, and development of your personal and professional potential.
Our vision is ‘To be a globally oriented Business School that is counted among the leading Business Schools of India as well as abroad with high levels of international accreditation. The institution will forever have students at the centre of its aspirations and endeavours while manifesting a wholehearted commitment to all its stakeholders. Competence, dedication, and contribution to society will be the watchwords of XIME. Being staunchly devoted to the excellence of quality, every unit of XIME will admit to its portals only an adequate number of students so as to accomplish that objective.’
In this regard, our mission is ‘To contribute to nation-building by providing a steady stream of competent, value-driven and globally oriented managers.’
To support we have set core values of Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Openness to Ideas, Diversity, and Societal Concern.
Please brief us about XIMEs offerings and how you made the college excel in its niche.
The story of XIME’s journey is also one of sheer determination and grit. It has come to symbolize the resilience of our founders, rising as it has done from its humble beginning to a world-class Institution with fully residential campuses in Bangalore, Kochi, and Chennai.
In developing this Institution, some fundamentals in our approach to Business Education were tenaciously upheld:
- Value-based Education
- Receptivity to new ideas and currents of thought
- Global Orientation
- Commitment to Entrepreneurship
- Continued Innovation
And over the years, we have achieved most of them. But, we keep raising the bar for ourselves.
Early years were difficult – just a paltry sum of ₹60,000/- as the initial capital, no building or land of our own, and no rich man in the group. But, we were driven by a strong concept, a clear vision, and a passion to dare and achieve. XIME’s story of growth and achievement is singular, and we are proud of it.
Some of the significant achievements during these years:
XIME has produced in these years nearly 4000 brilliant alumni who are presently holding managerial positions in diverse areas of business and industry.
Having come a long way from a humble beginning, the Institute has progressed rapidly and emerged as one of the top business schools in the country and is generally listed in the top 1%.
From an asbestos shed of 3000 sq. ft. in St. Martha’s Hospital compound at Bangalore, XIME has progressed rapidly and now operates out of three fine campuses, with the first one at Electronics City (1.65 lakhs sq. ft built-up area), Bangalore, the second one at KINFRA Tech park (1.17 lakhs sq. ft built-up area), Kochi, and the third at Oragadam (1.15 lakhs sq. ft built-up area), Chennai, the Detroit of India.
Commencing with the initial 60 seats for admission to its programme, XIME now operates with a sanctioned strength of 420 seats (180 in the Bangalore Campus, 120 in the Kochi Campus, and 120 in the Chennai Campus); the biggest private sector B-School in South India.
The Institute’s first geographical expansion was to Kochi, with a beautiful campus in KINFRA Hi-Tech Park in Kalamassery, Kochi.
XIME’s growth momentum has taken it to Chennai, where a new campus is up and running at Oragadam – the automobile hub of Tamil Nadu.
It is gratifying that all the 3 campuses of XIME are in Industrial areas belonging to governments – KIADB of Karnataka, KINFRA of Kerala, and SIPCOT of Tamil Nadu. All the 3 locations are truly great!
From the original faculty strength of five, it has now a strength of 52, which includes some outstanding professionals.
The geographical diversity of its students is one of the best [almost all Indian States are represented at XIME] with about 45-50% of girl students almost every year – with a glorious record this year in having 56 percent girl students, 65% engineers, and nearly 40% with work experience.
XIME’s students win laurels at very many intercollegiate competitions including those hosted by professional associations, such as AIMA, CII Chennai, MMA, and NIPM. In 2014 and 2017 its students won the coveted ‘Champions of India’ title at the AIMA National Competition. And in 2018 it won all three prizes at the AIMA South India Competition for MBAs.
We have always maintained an excellent record of placement. In 2019, we achieved a record of sorts by placing 96% of its students by 31st May with an average salary of Rs. 7.65 lakhs p.a.
In 2014 XIME Bangalore received the coveted International Accreditation for Quality from Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs [ACBSP], USA.
All campuses of XIME are fully residential with a combined built-up area of about four lakhs sq. ft.
XIME has several unique firsts that include the partnership of industries and philanthropists in building XIME’s main campus: Dorabji Tata Trust for the XIME Library; The Oberoi Group for the Auditorium; Biocon for the main Executive Conference Hall; etc.
As repeatedly demonstrated in the business context, it is not the infrastructure or the capital that builds a good organization, it is the vision, values, spirit, and culture. We believe XIME is firmly anchored in all these basics.
How have you coped during the pandemic, and adopted the changes in technological and educational norms?
The year 2019- 2020 was a testing time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. XIME made significant changes in the process, and methodology and ensured all faculty members were trained to effectively train the students.
During the pandemic times, Zoom licenses were procured across all campuses for conducting classes. Training to faculty members was also given which ensured the smooth conduct of classes. Training sessions for taking attendance through reporting in zoom were also enabled.
Exams were conducted using the Mettl platform which is one of the leading test service providers for exam certifications. Automatic Proctoring was put in place to eliminate malpractices by alerting the proctor by tracking the eye and body movements using cameras. The training was provided to all faculty members which ensured the smooth conduct of classes.
Faculty members used Slido, Socrative pro, and Kahoot 360 to conduct quizzes. Slido could be integrated into PowerPoint slides to take effective case study surveys during the pandemic.
Moodle and Google classrooms were used as effective Learning Management Software systems to collect assignments and share presentations and case studies. The students used google Classroom effectively for sharing resources as well.
Game-based teaching and learning methodology training was done for faculty members. This play way methodology of teaching also helps in
- Increasing the Attention Span of students
- Incentivizes Persistence
- Encourages Peer Learning
- Fail Safe Environment
- Learner-Centrierent student levels)
- Real World Correlation
- Growth Mindset
- Instantaneous Feedback
This was a largely hands-on workshop. Each participant was oriented to different tools and techniques available with sample illustrations of how to build games and facilitate using them. The program was conducted by Mr.Kartic Vaidyanathan. Kartic Vaidyanathan (is an alumnus of IIT-Madras and IIM-Bangalore with 24 years of corporate experience (Infosys/Cognizant). He is also certified in Gamification from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a practitioner in the Play/Game-Based learning methods for the last ten years.
He has designed games for corporates in various Industry Domains like Insurance, Finance, Marketing, and HR to make knowledge transfers, trainings simplified, fun, and engaging and has won corporate innovation recognitions. Now XIME uses CollPoll a Complete ERP System for conducting Quizzes and effective LMS.
