Prof. Jyoti Tilak studied at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, and has been with IBS Pune since 2002 teaching subjects like Managerial and Macro Economics, International Trade and Wealth Management. She was associated with the Center of Studies in Social Sciences and Center of Quantitative Research, National Institute of Banking (NIBM), and Sydenham College (Mumbai). She has conducted workshops for mid-level managers (Tata Honeywell) and consulted (Thyssen Krupp) on short projects. She was awarded “Best Faculty (Teaching)” by IBSAF. She has been a scholar also in Library and Information Science and has experience in translating, editing and proofreading articles and books for eminent publishing houses. She has completed her education at Savitribai Phule Pune University and Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics respectively.

IBS Pune

What is that one thing that made you excited and be a part of IBS and share your experience of 20+ years in IBS?

The challenge that excites me year after year is the opportunity we look forward to changing the lives of average students beyond the ordinary. We take pride in the fact that we believe today many such students are in prestigious organizations in very responsible positions in India and abroad.

What motivated you to pursue a career in academia and leadership in management?

Unlike a career in Industry, the choice of opting for a career in academics has distinct advantages. A teacher irrespective of the level at which he/she interacts makes a significant impact in molding a student’s thinking, feeling, and actions. The fact that one can play the role of influencer within and beyond the boundaries of the institution and be a timeless mentor for life-long support makes this choice perennially immensely satisfying.

As a director of the IBS School of Business, what do you feel is the USP or what are the differentiating factors that make IBS stand out from other Business schools?

For a professional institute offering a full-time two-year PG program in Management, it is imperative to be perceived as agile and industry relevant. Our key differentiators are closely interconnected with academics. We take pride in integrating the case method of pedagogy by effectively transforming the teaching methods from traditional “Top Down Delivery” to “Participant Centric Learning”. In addition to this, we differentiate from others by way of Industry driven SIP which integrates an Industry Mentor in a direct guidance role. Our strength lies in offering currently relevant certification programs.

What steps would you take to ensure that the business school’s curriculum remains relevant, aligns with industry demands, and prepares students for successful careers?

Constant industry-academic interactions with industry professionals both on and off campus provide a window for us to look at, understand and evaluate our syllabi. The institute has numerous forums which enable these interactions. A system of regular feedback from recruiters and alumni also gives us an idea of the changing industry practices. These changes are evaluated by faculty teams and thereafter changes in syllabi/new topic introductions are carried out.

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How would you engage with faculty to promote research excellence, encourage innovation in teaching, and support their professional development?

Enabling the faculty careers and ensuring involvement and engagement is our primary objective. Faculty are our intellectual assets. They need to be encouraged to deliver excellence in teaching and this is possible only when they stay updated, connected, and relevant to the changing times. In order to facilitate the same, institutional support takes care of participation in paper presentations at premier institutions and special recognition for paper publications in rated journals.

How do you plan to leverage technology and online platforms to enhance the delivery of business education and adapt to changing educational landscapes?

Post-pandemic, the realization has dawned that online medium could be very effectively dovetailed with face-to-face teaching. Adapting and adopting new technology interventions is the new buzz word and academic institutions can make the best use of it by inviting senior industry functionaries for Guest sessions thus bridging the cost, time, and viability aspects. There is a world of opportunity that awaits the one who can visualize and IBS Pune is not one to be left behind.

What is the challenging part of being in the Director of business school role and how do you handle them?

In comparison to the role played by a CEO, the Director’s role is much more challenging. It is not about being an effective administrator or implementer. The role involves being an intellectual leader, Teacher, Advisor, Mentor, Disciplinarian, Visionary, and Motivator. The Director has to be the face of the institution and must be an embodiment of values. As a Director, one is subjected to constant scrutiny and therefore every step needs to be watched with a little the the margin for error in what is said or done. The challenge is to be able to handle the campus diversity with dignity and decorum ensuring that actions do not signify bias.

Can you describe What is the significance and support IBS provides for entrepreneurship and innovation?

Entrepreneurship is currently in a nascent stage. Presently, there is an “Entrepreneurship Club” which has been revived this year. The student response has been quite spectacular, especially from the new batch currently in the first year (Batch 2024- 2026). Competent faculty have been assigned to mentor the club to ensure a strong foundation for the future. In due course, it is intended to open an “Entrepreneurship Cell” which is expected to upgrade entrepreneurship-related activities and may set the tone for a larger landscape for operations.

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How do you envision the role of the Director in shaping the strategic direction and growth of IBS Business School?

The multiple hats one is expected to wear underlines the fact that the success of a B-School rests squarely on the shoulders of the Director. Primarily, my focus is to ensure that every student who passes out from our portals is adequately equipped in the following areas including Capacity Building, Capability Building, and Character.