Get Your Mba

Get your MBA Many of us have an inert passion for learning, and today an MBA does work towards a brighter future. Courses offered through correspondence are a dream come true for many professionals, says Prachi Rege

Irrespective of age or profession people pursue their dreams of getting a smarter degree, and there is no denying the fact that an MBA is one of the smartest degrees today.Pravin Parab, who is in his late thirties had a passion for learning and decided to go for an MBA through distance learning.“I wanted to show my superiors that I am open to new ideas and new avenues in life,” says Parab, who pursued his MBA in Human Resources (HR) from Welingkers Institute.“The concept of distance learning was very feasible for me as no one would take me in a classroom,” he quips. Through his MBA in Entrepreneurship Management, Varun Mehta got a clear picture of effective business management.“My approach towards work has become systematic,” says Mehta who pursued his distance learning from Symbiosis, Pune. Admission procedure Getting admission for an MBA through distance learning is quiet easy and most importantly similar in all institutes offering the course. One can either go to the desired institute and complete the formalities or communicate through post or courier. If you are applying online, then after downloading the application form, fill in the relevant details and courier it to the institute. Enclosing the necessary documents, photographs and the fee through Demand Draft (DD) is mandatory. Duration and fees Just like its full-time counterparts, MBA courses offered through distance learning range from a period of one year to two years. The one-year courses are divided into two semesters of six months each and the two-year course is divided into six semesters, which is three months each. “If one is not able to complete the course within the stipulated time then grace period is provided,” says Mehta who could not finish the course due to business demands and has received a threemonth grace period to do the same.The fee structure depends upon the course and institute one has chosen for MBA. For his two-year course in MBA Parab paid Rs 30,000 while Mehta opted for a one-year course for Rs 8000. Course material and examination “Most of the course material was sent to me through courier,” says Mehta,“The books had detailed information on every subject included in the course.” Apart form this, distance Learning also includes e-books, which are run on Flash Media.“It is just a 15-20 minute read that is made interesting with pictures and graphics,” elucidates Mehta.For Parab, it was mostly text books relevant to the course,“The books are written well, were to the point and are self-explanatory,” he says. Examination for distance learning is conducted online and one does not have to travel to the institute. However, some institutes offer examination centers in area close to your residence and one has to register there for the same. Some others evaluatestudents through assignments that are more about strategising a business venture. Apart from these, there are also mid-term objective exams that can be given from home. Prospects “Don’t expect to get a job after doing distance learning MBA,” cautions Parab who pursued this

course while he was a Senior Manager in GTL Infrastructure and post his MBA was promoted as Deputy General Manager, Corporate affairs.“After distance learning one can climb up the career ladder,” he explains. “I don’t have to hunt for a job as MBA has given me a clear idea of how to conduct my business,” says Mehta who deals in Jewelry. Finally did any one of them miss the classroom? As for Mehta,“I think I learnt a lot from this than I learnt in three years of classroom BCom,” he signs off. Institute index Many management institutes offer MBA through distance learning. The courses are similar to the full-time courses with the only difference being in the method of training acquired. • Indian Institute of Management Training (IIMT), Pune • Indian Institute of Materials Management, Navi Mumbai • MET Institute of Distance Learning, Mumbai • Madhya Pradesh Bhoj (Open) University, Bhopal • Prin. L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development& Res, Mumbai • Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), Pune • All India Management Association - Centre for Management Education, New Delhi • Amity School of Distance Learning, Amity University, New Delhi • Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi • Jagan Institute of Management Studies, Directorate of Distance Learning, Delhi (Indicative listing) For answers to FAQs regarding MBA http://education.indiatimes.com/educationTimes/getArticleDetails.do?contentid=20070717152928843424f22ae&se ctid=4