In an endeavor to address the need for comprehensive education for product managers who play a crucial role in driving innovation and shaping their company’s strategies and objectives, Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business (HSB), an institution affiliated with Jaipur’s JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), has introduced India’s inaugural full-time MBA program specializing in Product Management.
This 2-year MBA program is structured around three primary tracks: General Management, Product Management, and Leadership, and will be delivered by faculty members hailing from prestigious IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management) and seasoned industry professionals, all with the aim of equipping the next-generation managers with practical learning and skills relevant to the industry.
RP Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director of JK Tyre & Industries, as well as the Pro-Chancellor of JKLU, emphasized the importance of leveraging technical tools to create, develop, and market products and processes in today’s digital landscape.
He also stressed the significance of strong leadership abilities to guide organizations to new heights. This new program is designed to empower learners with cutting-edge skills, enabling them to make informed business decisions and navigate seamlessly in a technology-driven world.
RP Singhania further pointed out that Product Management stands as a unique and distinct field, setting itself apart from design, sales, marketing, and engineering. The current program, however, integrates all these fields to provide students with a multidisciplinary education, ensuring they remain technologically agile.
HP Singhania, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of JK Paper, and Pro-Chancellor of JKLU, highlighted the integral role that product managers play in the digital transformation of organizations. He emphasized that the program aims to meet the industry’s substantial demand for full-stack product managers capable of fostering innovation.
Sujit Kumar, the Director of HSB, explained how the program distinguishes itself from other MBA programs that include Product Management. While IIMs offer Product Management as a 30-hour course, HSB’s program is a comprehensive 300-hour curriculum that includes both classroom learning and a 6-month internship in leading companies such as Tech Mahindra, Mahindra, Max, Infosys, and well-funded startups. The program aims to prepare students for diverse roles, not just as product managers, but also as supply chain and marketing managers, and strategic consultants.
The program is developed based on the global curriculum of the International Software Product Management Association (ISPMA) and will feature Hans-Bernd Kittlaus, Chairman of ISPMA, as a faculty member. The integration of technology, design, and business, along with exposure to engineering and design institutes on campus, will create a dynamic environment for students to collaborate with their peers from JKLU and engage in interdisciplinary projects.
Dheeraj Sanghi, Vice-Chancellor of JKLU, clarified that the goal is not to create mere technologists but to provide exposure to technology that will enable product managers to make informed and strategic business decisions in the future.
Admission to the MBA program is open to young candidates with a STEM background and 2 to 4 years of full-time work experience. Non-STEM students with a passion for coding and tech innovations will also be considered. The selection process involves evaluating scores from CAT, XAT, GMAT, GRE, or the HSB Test, along with a review of the Statement of Purpose (SOP) and personal interviews.
The academic year for the founding cohort is scheduled to commence in June 2024. Candidates should have scored a minimum of 60% in all academic exams until graduation. The MBA degree will be conferred by JKLU, a university recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and accredited by NAAC with an A rating.
