City 3rd most preferred destination for MBA aspirants

Despite thousands of MBA seats going unfilled every year due to plunging interest levels in the state, a recent national survey however revealed that aspirants still considered Bengaluru the third most preferred destination for pursuing the course.

The survey was conducted among 87,700 people who showed an interest in pursuing an MBA. For as many as 85 percent of the respondents, going to national B-schools like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) with MBA programmes, was a priority. This, irrespective of their location.

After the national B-schools, respondents chose Delhi and the NCR (National Capital Region) as the second most preferred destination. These accounted for about 62 percent of the total respondents. “A number of well-known private institutes like MDI (Management Development Institute) and others like the FMS (Faculty of Management Studies) are quite well known and it is no wonder students chose this region,” said Amit Agnihotri, chairman, MBAuniverse.com, an MBA preparation portal, that compiled the survey. 
   
Bengaluru came a close third with 57 percent of the respondents choosing the City as their preferred destination for the course. Besides the Indian Institute Management, Bangalore (IIMB) there are a number of private colleges offering the course. However, Agnihotri was of the opinion that many of these institutions were not getting the exposure that is required to attract more students. After Bengaluru, 43 percent of the respondents said they would go to Pune for their MBA.

Dr M S Subhas, vice-chancellor, Vijayanagara Krishnadevaraya University, Ballari said there was a need for MBA institutions in the City and the state to introduce measures for institution building like pedagogy, admissions and even placements. Experts also point out to a number of deterrents that discourage students from coming to the state to pursue the course. These include late entrance exams and a proliferation of low quality institutions.