September 4, 2010
Amrita School of Business, Amritapuri
 

B-School faculty from all four Amrita campuses viz. Amritapuri, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and Kochi recently came together for a one-day retreat at the Amritapuri campus.
 

Addressing the assembled faculty, Br. Abhayamrita Chaitanya, Pro-Chancellor, recalled Chancellor Amma’s words, underlining her emphasis on research.
 

“When we conduct research, our own understanding of the subject deepens, and teaching automatically improves,” he noted.
 

Joining the Pro-Chancellor in advising the faculty was the husband-wife team of Dr. K. R. S. Murthy, Former Director of IIM Bangalore and Dr. Nirmala Murthy, Former Professor at IIM Ahmedabad and currently President of Foundation for Research in Health Systems, Ahmedabad.
 

Dr. A. H. Kairo, Former Director of IIM Kozhikode, was also invited to share his suggestions. The three experts initiated and guided a brainstorming session among the faculty regarding ASB’s USP or unique selling proposition.
 

The example of IIM Kozhikode was discussed, wherein students work on a socially relevant project, in order to complete all requirements for graduation.
 

“Amrita can have a USP (unique selling proposition) of value addition,” the experts emphasized. “You can showcase the success of the Amrita alumni who have succeeded after overcoming initial struggles. Your key proposition could be the school’s contribution to the life-long development of an individual, who graduates from Amrita.”
 

These remarks from the experts perhaps emanated from listening to the ASB faculty and management debate and discuss their students, systems, alumni and leadership.
 

“The value addition that Amrita makes to each student is very high,” Dr. Sanjay Banerjee, Dean-ASB, had noted. “I would say that it is higher than at other institutes in the country.”
 

Dr. Banerjee had proceeded to quote the example of an ASB student, whose father had passed away during his studies. “The help rendered by the Amrita Alumni Network helped him complete his studies.”
 

Br. Abhayamrita Chaitanya had recalled the outreach work undertaken by Prof. Shobhana Madhavan at the nearby village of Ettimadai, wherein she and her students, conduct literacy campaigns for village children.
 

“As a derivative of this work, electives on Social Entrepreneurship have been offered at ASB.”
 

Post the meeting, most faculty members crossed the bridge to the ashram to meet Chancellor Amma and take her blessings and guidance, as well.
 

“It was wonderful meeting all our colleagues from all campuses,” stated Prof. Sekhar Babu, Chairperson from the Bengaluru campus, post the meeting. “The sharing of ideas and the interaction will help us all contribute to making Amma’s vision for our B-School, a reality.”