IGNOU Signed MoU to offer Work-based BBA (Services Management) Program

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd. (MKCL) to offer the Bachelor of Business Administration (Service Management) program based on work (BBA @ Workplace). This memorandum of understanding aims to offer an innovative Bachelor of Business Administration (Service Management) program for young aspiring professionals who wish to pursue a brilliant career in the Pan India Services Industry. The MOU was signed by Dr. V.B. Negi, Secretary (Admn.), IGNOU, and Mr. Vivek Sawant, Managing Director of MKCL in the presence of Prof. Nageshwar Rao, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU.

Welcoming the Managing Director of MKCL, Mr. Vivek Sawant, and the other members of the delegation team that included Mr. Sharad Marathe, Founder, UTS (India) Pvt Ltd, Prof. K. Ravi Sankar, Director, School of Management Studies, IGNOU said that the unique pedagogy adopted by MKCL for the Bachelor program, which is based primarily on online learning while focusing on work, interested him in the joint program with MKCL. He added that he hopes for the success of the program, as it takes advantage of the strengths of the organization that benefits the student.

Mr. Vivek Sawant, Managing Director of MKCL expressed his satisfaction while appreciating the rapid implementation of the program by IGNOU, who said it would give the possibility of carrying the Work-based Learning model throughout India. Speaking about the uniqueness of the program for students, he said that students learn best by doing and following the “Nai Talim” principle as anticipated by Mahatma Gandhi, which emphasizes learning while working to obtain better learning outcomes. He also added that the structure of the program also guarantees better employability for the student and a lower dropout rate for the employer.

Mr. Sharad Marathe, Founder, UTS (India) Pvt Ltd, in explaining his role, stated that he has been here as someone who wants to see the smooth deployment of the program and is happy to play the role of a catalyst to accelerate such initiatives. He warned that unless we provide employability to our growing youth population, we run the risk that the demographic dividend will become a demographic responsibility.

Professor Nageshwar Rao praised the launch of a joint program with MKCL that, he said, would help not only in the learning of the students enrolled but also in obtaining stipends during the program. He hoped that the success of the program will pave the way for this association to extend to other university programs.

The MoU was signed as a PVC witness of IGNOU and other faculty members of the School of Administration Studies. Ms. Veena Kamat, CEO and Dr. Revati Namjoshi of MKCL were also present. They also shared their views on the program and other possible synergies between IGNOU and MKCL.