VITAL STATISTICS

WHAT IS IT? A school for business and administration. WHO’S THE BOSS? Dr P.L. Maggu is the director. HOW TO GET IN? The institute conducts an admission test through MAT, with group discussions and interviews, for all the programmes. HOW CHEAP IS IT? About Rs 1.55 lakh per annum (including hostel and academic fees). WHERE IS IT? GSBA, Sector Alpha – 2, Greater Noida - 201306, UP. Phone: (0120) 2320521/ 523/ 524/ 525. Fax: 0120-2320522 E-mail: netgsba@nda.vsnl.net.in Website:www.gsbaindia.org

Away from the bustle of Delhi, the Graduate School of Business and Administration (GSBA) campus is something like an oasis ? shrouded as it is in the greenery of Greater Noida, a Delhi suburb. The campus is a sight for sore eyes, for almost 75 per cent of its area is covered by trees and gardens.

Founded in 1993, GSBA is today seen as one of the better-run business schools in Delhi. Though not in the top league, a recent BusinessWorld ranking puts it between 20 and 27 among all B-schools in the country. For instance, it is 20th among all B-schools when it comes to admission and delivery process, 23rd in infrastructure and 24th in faculty resources.

Charting the course

GSBA offers four major courses ? a full time two-year postgraduate diploma in business administration, a three-year master of computer applications degree, a one-year BEd degree and a four-and-a-half-year bachelor of physiotherapy programme.

Says GSBA director P.L. Maggu: ?Taking a small step in 1993, we are now one of the few A-category business schools. Along with professional knowledge and skills, what is important is professional attitude. And we make sincere efforts to inculcate that attitude among its students.?

The school says it believes in integrating theory with practice, knowledge with skill and attitude with aspirations. GSBA provides the latest audio-video learning equipment for lectures and provides practical training to students in industries.

The institute?s campus is residential, consisting of separate hostels for boys and girls. There is a mess, which is run by students, a common entertainment room, an academic block, administrative lawns, an institute canteen and a mini shopping complex with banking facility. ?The canteen is the place where we unwind after a hectic schedule. Here we get anything from samosas to a meal,? says Priyanka, a student. The mess decides the menu for the canteen.

The right environment

The library has a comprehensive collection of books, periodicals, journals and magazines. Classes rely on interaction and group participation. A class is divided into sub-groups, and placements and summer training are based on a student?s performance and attendance. The institute has experienced and well-qualified faculty members. Aashish, a first year student, however, stresses that though many of the faculty members have an industrial background, the student-teacher ratio is not compatible.

But the faculty does have its share of admirers. Says former student Amit Shukla: ?L.A. Khan, who taught us finance, is great.? Smriti Singh, who was in the 2002 batch, says, ?GSBA opened many doors. It provided the right environment through formal and informal interaction with peers and industrialists.?

About placement

There was a time, some years ago, when placement was not its strong point. Arvind Pant, who graduated in 2002 and now works for Nokia, recalls that only four or five students from his batch got a suitable placement. But Pant stresses that the placement situation has improved in the last few years.

Despite the lengthy curriculum, the institute encourages students to take part in recreational activities. There are a host of clubs ? such as the indoor sports club, cultural club and an academic club. The institute also has an advisory board which sets up and maintains communication channels between the institute and business leaders.

Renu Negi

OLD MEMORIES

Manas Saha, marketing executive, Hindustan Infosystems, reminisces about his days at GSBA

Manas Saha has many fond memories of GSBA. He still can’t forget the lipsmacking taste of aloo paranthas he used to have at the hostel mess. “They were delicious,” recalls Saha, who got his MBA there. A good breakfast was important, for the study schedule was tough. Every student put in a lot of hours at the library. But, Saha recalls a number of teachers who made his job easier. “L.A. Khan who taught finance was superb,” he says.

During free time, Saha and his friends used to play table tennis and carrom. “Sometimes we would watch television. Or simply chat. It was just the normal things you do in your free time,” he says.

He has kept in touch with the placement guys. “It helps,” Saha tells you in a knowing tone. “But actually, I still feel a kind of attachment with GSBA. I miss my hostel life. I had a great time there.”