Mrs. Rekha K V is the Head of the Department of Commerce at St. Thomas Arts And Science College. She has 18 years of experience in the field of education. She finished her undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Commerce from Mahatma Gandhi University and pursued her postgraduate studies with a Master of Commerce from Mahatma Gandhi University. Thereafter, Mrs. Rekha did her B.Ed. at Mahatma Gandhi University along with an M.Phil. from M.S University, Tirunelveli.

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What is the latest program that you are offering in your institute/dept. which will help students outperform and stand apart from the crowd?

Presently, we are offering a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree with specialisation in Finance and Taxation, Financial Markets and Co-operation. At the undergraduate level, we offer a Master of Commerce in Finance and Taxation.

What are the factors that make this program the best for the students to opt?

This program helps students acquire the skills needed to excel in various roles. The college also provides career opportunities in different industries in areas like finance, marketing, management, etc. Besides regular classes, there are extracurricular activities, interactive sessions with industry experts, placement preparation sessions, mock interviews, and more.

What would you say are the “best practices” in the course you’re offering?

As a part of the curriculum, we make the students ready to face challenges through different activities. They are mandated to take part in group discussions, projects, assignments, industrial visits, social activities, etc. There are also extracurricular activities that students can partake in to improve their communication, teamwork and management skills. Our courses aim for the overall development of our students which makes our graduates the perfect perfect for any job role.

How does the program ensure that students are being prepared for the future?

We focus on imparting both academic and professional knowledge in the classroom. We realise the importance of practical education and provide several opportunities for students to practice their classroom knowledge in workplace settings. We try to mould our students to become responsible citizens having moral values and upstanding ethical principles.

How did you train yourself/faculty to deliver this program to the students?

Our college provides opportunities for us to attend faculty development programs and related workshops and conferences. We are also encouraged and receive assistance from the college to participate in subject area seminars, workshops and symposiums. All of these are aimed to enhance a teacher’s skills and knowledge in their field which will help them teach better.

How do you tend to build an industry connected with this program? 

We have established industry connections with popular brands and organisations. These connections facilitate knowledge exchange, research, internships and more for our students. Throughout the academic year, our students engage in industrial visits, internships, and entrepreneurial talks with professionals and experts. This allows our students to understand the industry better before they graduate.

What are the types of projects that the students are working on through this program?

The projects students can work on through this program are based on their interests, career goals and curriculum. The past batches have worked on projects like customer satisfaction studies and surveys, performance evaluations, employee satisfaction, and product comparisons. Students pick a financial institution or a financial product to base their project on and complete it to earn course credits.

What are the benefits and career options after pursuing this course?

After completing this course, students are eligible for career opportunities in different industries in areas like finance, marketing, management, etc. Additionally, students can opt for higher education by enrolling on post-graduate programs or they can apply for professional courses like C.M.A., A.C.C.A. etc. Any of these options will make them fit to serve our nation in any capacity possible.