Let me Thank the Students, Faculty and Management of PUMBA for organizing the PUMBA Alumni Meet yesterday.

Kudos to you!! Good Job!!

I also apologize if I hurt sentiments in this post, however, I think it is important to communicate what I think, as we collective put in 300- 400 hours ( assuming there were 100 participants) last evening.

If I were a press reporter covering the 2009 event, I would have published the following:

PUMBA Alumni Meet 2009

September 13, 2009, Pune:
The Alumni cell of PUMBA organized the Chapter Meet in there new
sprawling campus yesterday. The event was a huge success in drawing the
alumni and was attended by PUMBA’s alumnus from the first batch to the
2009 pass outs.

The event started with a slick presentation highlighting the history,
struggle and achievements of PUMBA (though royalty was not paid for the
images and the owner’s watermark was visible). It was followed by a
talk by the Dean highlighting the achievements of PUMBA and the forum
was then thrown open to the alumni.

The alumni in their speeches invariably went nostalgic about the campus (or
the lack of it) and highlighted the need for changing the syllabus to
make the students ‘Industry Ready’. They let the students know in no
uncertain words that they are ‘not good enough for the industry’ and
that the PUMBA management should leverage their experience to arrange
workshops to make students ‘industry ready’.

At this point the Dean again took the opportunity to let the alumni know
that workshops and industry interactions are integral to PUMBAs
curriculum and that more will be done in the coming years. He then
reiterated that these programs FAILED as students did not
participate and were mostly off campus. He also mentioned that though
the alumnus made big claims their contribution was minimal.

This session was followed by a lavish dinner.

OK, so that was the press report. I had a chance to attend two other alumni meets. The first in 1998 (when our batch organized and the next one in 2006/7 (at that time the auditorium was not air conditioned). Believe me if I change the date in the report the event report would be just as factual (well you would notice I did not mention names in my post, add the names to make it more authentic for any year! But then it would be slightly more than a pure copy paste job and I am a lazy bum..)

Yesterday what I observed was clash of egos between the alumni and the Faculty at the expense of the students. Every speaker made the students feel, in no uncertain terms, that they are useless. The theme for the evening “Networking” was lost in the ego massages.

I have some questions for the Alumni and the Faculty:

To the Alumni:

1. Do you really expect PUMBA graduates to prepare a turn key project report the first day on Job?
2. Someone mentioned how great Stanford MBA is and how they encourage individuals to do stuff beyond the class room. Do you really think attending classes at PUMBA will get Students that edge? BTW the combined wealth that Stanford dropouts have created is far more than the combined wealth of ones completing their stint at Stanford.
3. Why did we fail to address the agenda- Networking; apart from the casual mention of Rajiv Gandhi and his Gang.

To the Faculty:

1. Do you think the students are irrational if Job is the right at the top of their priority?
2. Do you think the Management Education curriculum and format at PUMBA is good enough to nurture Management Thinkers (read academia)?
3. Do you think the class rooms are exciting enough to retain student interest?
4. In the management ( Faculty) briefings at such meets in PUMBA  I have always heard brick and mortar being discussed; new buildings, new air conditioners etc. Why are the research papers and thought leadership papers published by the faculty not mentioned to encourage alumni and students pursue academics?

Students here’s my 2 cents for you:

2. “Experience” is learning from “past” and it is important. However, Experience is not the only factor that makes you successful.
   What alumnus can share with you is events from their ‘past’ and their mistakes. However, there is this huge world that even we (the alumni) have not explored. Dare to explore the unexplored.
3. Make a choice. Make a career choice; do not bother about the first job. If you ask me, MBAs out of schools are First Class Corporate Mules (and most remain the same through their working life). The bosses ( read experienced alumni) will make you do everything they do not want to do so that they spend their time doing quality stuff that adds value to the organization like Golf, Network and Dine. Connect with the right people, leverage your skills to be the Boss early in life.
4. SWOT analyze yourselves. Stop cribbing about the Ws and Ts. Play on the Os of the world with your Ss. To put in plain English, stop thinking what could be, build on what is.
5. What industry looks for in a MBA is a little aptitude and a lot of attitude. Learn what you can while you are at PUMBA but more importantly be ready for a steep learning curve at work.
6. Finally, you are young only once (read you organize the alumni meet only once) and you grey and grow wiser all your life (read: attend alumni events and show how smart you are all your life). Live and Enjoy Life. You need not have grey hair or look serious to be serious about your career and successful in life.

As for Networking, I run an active blog on Internet Marketing and Web 2.0, you may want to visit.

Thank You for the Free Scrumptious Meal! Though, I believe, charging a nominal Registration Fee to cover the cost is not a bad idea.