ACBSP IMPACT

Written By Dr. Ying Tombler, Dean of Instructional Excellence, University of Phoenix

Dean Dr. Ying Tombler visited India from February 14-17, 2016 with Dr. Craig Mitchell Brewer, Dean, Notre Dame de Namur University, as members of the Peer Review Team of Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) to review the accreditation process at Asian School of Business (ASBM), Bhubaneswar. The team members arrived in the city on February 14, and had their consultation meeting with the Director, the Dean and the Associate Dean of the Institute to set the agenda for the site visit. That day they also visited the Sun Temple at Konark, a 13th-century monument, devoted to the Sun god,‘Surya’. The temple, built in the form of a giant ornamented chariot with twelve pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels which are three meters wide and pulled by a set of seven horses, is known for its elaborate and astounding stone carvings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is regarded as one of the Seven
Wonders of India.

On the 15th, Dr. Tombler and Dr. Brewer were warmly received at ASBM campus by the members of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell of the Institute. After the welcome meeting with the Director Prof. Dr. Biswajeet Pattanayak, a presentation session on overview of ASBM was conducted. Then, they had extensive interaction with members of the faculty, members of the Board of Governors and various functional heads of the administration. The teaching and learning methodology and the evaluation system of ASBM was presented before them, and they had an elaborate discussion regarding the HR systems of the Institute, work load review and appraisal of faculty and staff. They also went through faculty profiles and other relevant documents, including research publications of the Institute like books, journal, working papers etc. The day ended with a meeting with a representative group of recruiters across high tea.

The PRT Members went for a campus round on the next morning by visiting different facilities like Hostels, Guest House, Canteens, Coffee parlor, Fast Food Centre, Dispensary, Auditorium, Gymnasium, Entertainment, Open Air Theatre, Essentials Store, Post Office, ATM etc. They spent considerable time in the Library of the Institute and were happy to see the resources – books, journals, periodicals, research documents, e-resources etc. They then visited the academic & administrative blocks including the computer & language Lab, classrooms, the academic office, placement, admission and general administration offices, and had discussions with the officials to understand all the systems and processes of the Institute.

It was heartening to note that apart from academics and co-curricular activities, the students were also involved in social work such as a health camp, tree plantation, cleanliness drive, health education, blood donation, provision of drinking water etc. through the ASBM Centre for Social Responsibility that works for the betterment of the society. What impressed the visiting team most was the Finishing School of the Institute, which works for holistic development of the students.

The PRT members had interaction with the students, the alumni members, and parents. They were pleased to note that all the stakeholders were appreciative of the efforts put in by the Institute in making its students better human beings. The day ended with a glittering cultural programme by the ASBM students of the Institute, which opened a vista to Indian culture and tradition. It was particularly pleasing because of active and spontaneous participation of Dr. Ying in that programme.

On the last day, Dr. Ying and Dr. Brewer had an exit meeting and shared their preliminary findings with the Director, the Dean, the Associate Dean, the Assistant Dean and the members of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell. The level of passion and commitment of the ASBM team – right from the Director to the support staff, and also of the various constituent groups – to serve the interest of the students was found to be astounding. It was overall an incredible learning experience for the site visit team and gave an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the largest democracy of the world.