Category: Miscellaneous

03 Jun 2024 11:48

Joined:	20/04/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	55757

Points:	5

Remove project and make internship compulsory for the BBA courses

In almost every BBA course across the country, the students are forced to do a project in some industrial organization. This is nothing but a serious loss of precious paper and natural resources as billions of trees are cut for making paper. The solution is elsewhere. On the one hand, the students find it very difficult to get any permission from any industrial organization. In several cases, the entire project is copied from the previous outputs of former students. The entire exercise is a farse, as there is no research methodology that goes into the minds of the students. Instead, a short-term six months course in research methodology can be taught in the second year, and in the fourth semester.

Instead, a good internship can offer good lessons. Even a simple photocopying shop can offer good lessons. Who are the customers? When do they approach the shop and for what purposes? And what happens to the typing services on the computer? With some basic training, the student can also learn to type a letter and so on. Internship does not mean only big organization's. Internship can be done in an NGO or even a self-help group, so that the BBA student learns something.

Let us think on the lines suggested.

#779795

03 Jun 2024 14:02

Joined:	10/12/2016
Level:	Diamond
Points:	109183

Points:	5

The author has given a good suggestion. There was a time when doing a project had some advantage and learnings for the student. With time it only bacame a ritual more than a desired activity. It didn't yield any advantage to the student.
On the other hand internship is a practical hands on approach to learn relevant module to a course and has become a popular means of learning in an industrial environment working and learning with the professionals. Doing an internship program is better than going for a project writing which is more and less a theoretical academic activity.
Incidentally in this portal ISC, we have a good information on internships and there are many good resources where students can get details of various internship programs.

Knowledge is power.

#779796

03 Jun 2024 14:08

Joined:	02/06/2009
Level:	Diamond
Points:	145594

Points:	5

That is true. Project works are not very useful if not done in true spirits. The very purpose of a project is to take a problem and go to an organisation study how they are addressing that issue and try to suggest improvements over the method they are following. But it is not done in that way. As mentioned by the author, people get copies of old project reports and copy-paste them as their project work and teachers also know this and they award marks very liberally.
When I was doing my M.Sc, the final semester was having a project work. Our professor gave us (a group of 4 persons) a problem, so we conducted practicals and recorded the observations. Then we discussed among ourselves a draft report was made and submitted to our professor. Then he suggested some changes and the final report was submitted and valued by an external examiner. If every institute follows this method even project works are also good. Anyhow internships are far better than project work, I agree.

drrao
always confident

#779864

05 Jun 2024 21:18

Joined:	10/07/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	33872

Points:	5

I would request the author clarify certain things in the post. It is mentioned that lots of paper is wasted during the projects of BBA courses but I would like to remind the author that projects are not limited only to BBA courses and even students in schools are assigned projects nowadays as a part of their curriculum. If projects are a waste of paper then the whole idea of projects has to be abandoned.

It is also suggested that some works are copied from the seniors and nothing goes into the minds of the students. I agree that some works may be copied, but that applies even to the other sections and is not limited only to a specific branch of learning. If it is very difficult for the students to get permission from industrial organizations for projects then I do not know whether it will be easier for them to get an internship in such organizations. While both projects and internships can help students acquire the required practical knowledge in the field if done seriously I am sure the students will not go to the shop to learn to type a letter on a computer.

Sankalan

"Life is easier when you enjoy what you do"

#779914

06 Jun 2024 20:23

Joined:	20/04/2018
Level:	Gold
Points:	55757

Points:	5

Mr Bhattacharya. I wish to clarify on every point that you have raised. While it is true that project work is done even in schools, I can only write about something I know. Am associated with over 100 colleges teaching the BBA course. I am external consultant for the final evaluation. In almost every single case, the research input is zero. The teachers are too busy to do anything constructive. On the other hand, the internship is found to be very useful. A rural student who could not afford to travel to a city, was offered an internship in a huge photo copy shop that also has the internet services and the typing services. It is a massive operation and involves very busy work. The rural student, a girl, did so well by learning the nitty-gritty. Typing is also a skill. In the huge center,she learned everything. How to handle services related to real estate documentation, Aadhar Card, PAN card and so on. Today, the same girl is employed in a BPO near her village, after doing the BBA courses. I have mentored at least 20 students like her.

I repeat, I will always write what I know intimately and not about what other courses and so on. Today, some Chemistry students also undergo internship. I know this, but I do not remember one thing in Chemistry, which was my main subject in graduation. It was an accident. I never liked it .
I did my post graduation in HR. And then acquired my MBA and another Master's Degree in Sociology. I have over 40 years of work experience in HR.

I simply reject work offers, since am so busy anyway. But only with BBA and MBA courses. I still feel the internship should be encouraged and the project work discontinued. But this decision cannot be taken by any college. It has to be taken by the University concerned.

Now, whether all projects are a waste, I really do not know. So, I cannot comment. Regarding internship, I have myself networked with so many NGOs and small scale companies. In so many cases, the job offers have been made, based on performance of the girl students. Sometimes boys as well. Many stop with BBA and go for any job. Many build their resources and do a full time MBA after four years of work experience. I do hope I have clarified to a large extent whatever you wanted to know.

Remove project and make internship compulsory for the BBA courses

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