Dr. Ravi Kumar Jain has assumed the role of Director at IILM University, Gurugram. He brings to the role a distinguished career encompassing both academic and industry leadership.
A distinguished career spanning academia and industry, Dr. Jain brings a wealth of experience and leadership and his expertise in fostering academic excellence, driving innovation in teaching and research is expected to guide IILM University towards new heights of academic excellence and innovation in education. Dr Jain who holds a Doctorate in Business Management, along with a Masters in Business Administration (Finance) and a PGD in ICT management, was the founding Director at Sparsh Global Business School.
Before joining Sparsh Global Business School, he was the Founding Director and Professor of Finance of Symbiosis institute of Business Management, Hyderabad; Head PhD program and faculty of finance IBS Hyderabad campus; Founding director and Associate Dean – Research at Symbiosis Institute of Research and Innovation
With over 25 years of diverse experience in family business management, teaching, research, consulting, and academic administration, Dr Jain is an avid researcher having more than 150 international and national publications and edited over 40 business management, banking & finance, and ICT management books.
We had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Ravi Jain regarding his transition from Sparsh Global, a startup B School he meticulously built from its inception, literally from the ground up – a development which we witnessed very closely. Starting from setting up a board and academic council with stalwarts to creation of a futuristic infrastructure, built faculty strength including highly qualified research rich full timers, distinguished professors with a portfolio of 100+ research publications in a record time of two years.
CS : We recall our first meeting at Sparsh Global which was a bare construction site, marked by piles of iron rods, heaps of sand, granite slabs, and cement mixers scattered everywhere. Reflecting on that initial scene, how do you view the progress and the accomplishments in the past few years ?
Dr Ravi Jain : “Very difficult to list out a few accomplishments from an exhaustive list of things that are required to set-up a premium B-school. Achieved record breaking admissions in the first batch and achieved Operational break-even in year two. Attained regulatory approvals and 100% compliance, initiated full digitalization of campus and students life cycle and forged international partnership with AACSB accredited B-school in US, Singapore, Denmark and a few other countries
CS : How difficult was it to make this decision to leave the institute which you have literally seen growing from its foundation stone ?
Dr. Ravi Jain : Sparsh Global Business School has etched its name among the stars, earning a place in the prestigious Digii100 Summit as one of the Top 100 Higher Education Institutions Pioneering Digital Transformation. The decision to handover the healthy baby, having developed a lot of attachment and affection, to its parents was emotionally draining indeed. But we all must move on to follow life’s calling. A lot has been covered at a record break speed, but a long way to go to realise the vision in its true spirit.