At a time when the world of business is being reshaped by technology, artificial intelligence and global competition, management education must evolve beyond traditional models. Dr. Subir Verma, Director, FORE School of Management, believes that every student must develop the mindset of a champion – flexible, adaptable and relentless in the pursuit of excellence.
Dr. Verma says, “Today every student has to become Sachin Tendulkar and keep the pitch out of question. If you are not as talented as Tendulkar, then become Virat Kohli.” “Work hard, persevere and persevere – these are the traits that define success today.”
Preparing managers for a changing world
Dr. Verma says that the Four School is reshaping its curriculum to prepare students for the world of tomorrow. “We changed our curriculum last year. Our entire faculty is certified in teaching with cases by Harvard Business School. We are also sending faculty on international development programs to keep pace with the demands of AI and new technology,” he said.
He says the focus is on making learning more experiential, practice-based and globally relevant. He adds, “Gone are the days when we produced homegrown managers for homegrown companies. Today, every company is global – even if it operates locally.”
Global exposure and industry immersion
The school is expanding its international footprint through collaborations with top global institutions. Dr Verma explains, “We have tied up with ESSEC Business School in Paris, Frankfurt School of Finance, SDA Bocconi in Milan and UNITAR in Geneva. From next year, we are also signing up with Warwick Business School and CAGE for dual degree and global immersion programmes.”
To strengthen industry connections, the institute is bringing in more professionals to teach. He says, “For every good medical college, you need a good hospital. Our corporates around Delhi are our labs. Every student should work on live projects with them.”
Entrepreneurial Mindset and Innovation
The Fore School has set up an incubation center and an AI lab to encourage innovation. “Some of our students have already manufactured and sold products to companies like OneVersity,” says Dr. Verma. “Most innovations today are technology-enabled, and even though we are not an IIT, we provide the managerial capacity to turn those ideas into viable businesses.”
He admits that scalability remains a major challenge in India. Dr. Verma says, “Worldwide, 96% of inventive ideas become innovations, and 98% of innovations fail in the market. But should we stop innovating? No.” “The mind of the entrepreneur lies in conceiving ideas, understanding market realities and creating value on a sustainable basis.”
Selection Process and Placement
Dr. Verma says that FOR School follows a profile-based admission process with a focus on CAT percentage, academic performance, work experience, communication skills and general awareness. “Our students generally fall between the 83 to 98 percent range, with the average being much higher,” he says.
Regarding placements, he admits that the last few years have been challenging. “Earlier we achieved 100% placements, but now the market is tight. However, our average package remains around Rs 16-17 lakh,” he says. “Getting a job is like luring someone – you have to try. College creates opportunities, but students have to establish themselves.”
Look Ahead: FORE’s Perspective
Dr. Verma’s vision for the Four School is clear – internationalization, industry focus and technology integration. “We are focused on creating globally minded managers who can lead the future with confidence and capability. Our goal is to connect education with the realities of AI, global business and new age skills,” he concluded.
