Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai Dean Dr. Suresh Ramanathan Talks About How it is Important for Management Institutes to Listen to the Market Constantly
Dr. Suresh Ramanathan, Dean at Great Lakes Institute of Management Chennai shared his views on the institute’s vision & mission and how the institute continuously focuses on innovation. He said “At Great Lakes Chennai, we take pride in our agility and innovation. We continuously listen to the market, heeding the feedback of recruiters, alumni, and our advisory board. This ongoing dialogue provides us with valuable insights that we swiftly adapt to. We have introduced numerous innovations into our curriculum and engaged with corporates to create an effective educational framework. One such example is how we have collaborated with McKinsey to conduct workshops that enhance our students’ problem-solving abilities.”
Sharing insights on Great Lakes Chennai’s community engagement efforts, Dr. Ramanathan shared, “To establish a stronger connection with our community, we have launched the Karma Yoga program. Through this initiative, we have partnered with 27 different villages surrounding our campus, many of which comprise marginalized communities with limited access to resources. To support these villages, we provide tools and funding to help them initiate projects, and we closely monitor their progress. At Great Lakes Chennai, we consider our role in society as more than just educators; we are dedicated to serving the larger community. As educators, we embrace forward-thinking ideas that promote diversity and equality, fostering a culture within our organization that reflects these values.”
Speaking about the ENCORE initiative, a Professional Certificate Program for Digital Marketing designed exclusively for women, he said, “The ENCORE program is designed for all women, but particularly those who have taken a break from the workforce for various reasons. Under this program, we collaborate with companies like Accenture, and LTIMindtree to offer placement assistance upon program completion. This certificate program equips women with a comprehensive knowledge of digital marketing and product management. Additionally, we provide soft skills training and offer support so that they can confidently take on the challenges of today’s business landscape. We are also offering scholarships to deserving women who want to join the workforce after taking a sabbatical, with the possibility of a 100% tuition waiver for exceptional candidates. Our goal is to encourage women to re-enter the workforce, with a strong focus on reaching as many women as possible.”
Dr. Ramanathan further discussed the founder’s vision and the institute’s journey, saying, “In 2004, we were established by Prof. Bala Chandran, a Professor Emeritus from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University in the US, who was also involved in setting up of Great Lakes Gurgaon. At the age of 65, he spearheaded the establishment of this institute. Since then, we have experienced remarkable growth and for 20 consecutive years, we have been ranked among the top five private business schools. We offer thriving one-year and two-year MBA programs, as well as executive education. Our specialization in analytics is widely recognized. Recognizing the importance of technology for future managers, we introduced analytics as a major for our MBA students. We take pride in our diverse student body, attracting individuals from across the nation to our exquisite 30-acre campus, Southeast Asia’s first LEED Platinum-rated campus. Our institution’s dedication to eco-friendliness and sustainability is evident in every aspect, showcasing our commitment to a greener, brighter future.”
On the intersection of business and innovation, he said, “The integration of AI tools such as Chat GPT, a prime example of generative AI, empowers us to refine our sales and marketing strategies. It prompts us to ask, ‘How can we better convey our unique offerings and deliver tailored solutions to our clients?”
“Our vision for the future extends beyond mere expansion. We aim to excel in our core mission before considering growth, including launching a pioneering PhD program to foster new knowledge through cutting-edge research. We’re also exploring ways to democratize access to our programs, transcending physical constraints and embracing the possibilities of online and hybrid learning” he said on the growth plans of the institute.