“For a professional course like MBA, location has its advantages in terms of logistics and corporate support” -

…says Raunaq Dubey, a second year student of the MBA++ programme offered at the Department of Management Sciences, University of Pune also known as PUMBA in short. Raunaq has a background in business administration after having done a BBA with a major in Finance prior to joining PUMBA. He has also worked with CareerForum as a faculty member teaching students for competitive exams like CAT/XAT/CET for a period of 26 months. Here, he talks about his experience at PUMBA and his decision to do an MBA ++. Raunaq Dubey in an interview with Serena Kallian…

Was joining PUMBA a conscious choice? What were your reasons to pick the institute?
Yes. Certainly it was a conscious choice to join PUMBA. I rated the college on four parameters:

• Faculty support
• College Brand: The MBA++ advantage
• Placements and
• Infrastructure support

On an integrated comparative analysis, I found PUMBA at par with many top B-schools in the country. Placement scenario in the year 2009-10 was bleak throughout the country but it was very overwhelming to see corporates turning up in good numbers in the year 2010-11 and PUMBA achieving 100% placements last year. On the three other parameters, I am very confident PUMBA can out do most of the B-schools in the country.

Tell us some of the benefits of studying here. Also tell us a little about MBA++.
PUMBA offers 360 degree benefits to the students through the best possible faculty support, syndicate activities, dedicated 7 students’ cell and certainly ROI (Return-on-investment).The students are given a very dynamic exposure through these 7 dedicated cells under different heads Alumni, Cultural, Entrepreneurship Development, Media, Placement, Seminar and the Systems Cell. As the joint undertakings stand a better chance when they benefit both sides, both the department and the students are benefited tremendously through these activities.

MBA++ offers dual specialization of which one is functional i.e. finance, marketing, human resources, operations and the other specialization is sectoral specialization including one of retail, engineering management, ITES, Banking & Insurance.

How was your selection process?
Selection Process was a centralised admission process, conducted by DTE, covering a 240 marks evaluation including 200 marks for the written test, 17 each for GD and PI and 6 marks for your past academic record and work experience.

Do you see yourself working in the same city? Do you think location matters when it comes to pursuing an MBA?
I believe every location has its own advantages and associated opportunities. On a personal level, there is no restraint about a specific location as far as working is concerned but yes for a professional course like MBA, location has its advantages in terms of logistics and corporate support. It is because Pune has this strong manufacturing and IT infrastructure at almost all exit points of the city, we have fabulous visiting faculty support and regular corporate interaction.

Anything you would like to tell future aspirants. How should they prepare themselves for the selection rounds, the campus life, the work in general etc?
200/240 evaluation marks are for the written exam. Students should undertake a rigorous preparation in the areas of aptitude. And secondly, they should be more analytical and real in terms of their objectives in pursuing an MBA. It is good to consider an MBA as a means of developing your managerial abilities. Each one of us, has that private dream which when fulfilled, can be a great personal achievement and therefore an added strength to our economy and nation.

What has been your best experience that has happened to you at PUMBA?
Though everyday is a great experience at PUMBA, I would rate working for the Entrepreneurship Development Cell as one of my best experiences, as through incubation activities I got tremendous exposure to the entrepreneurial opportunities and realities.

Also, working for the CSR of PUMBA, (teaching disabled soldiers pursuing their PG diploma) was a very satisfying experience.

Apart from academics what should one look forward to during the campus life at PUMBA?
Around 411 acres of green university land, all sports and other facilities, table tennis along with mega events like Dhruv, National Seminar, Alumni chapter meets, Yukti and PUMBA premier cricket league are the highlights of the fun-filled learning atmosphere here. I also recommend Sam’s special chai to all the visitors.