Demonstrating yet again that Indian higher education sector can also go global like the Indian IT industry, in 2023, SP Jain Global announced the launch of SP Jain London School of Management in the highly competitive UK education market. This was another landmark in the history of SP Jain Global, which began with a Dubai campus in 2004 and soon expanded to Singapore and Australia. With five physical campuses across the world, and growing digital presence, SP Jain is indeed a unique case study of entrepreneurial spirit, and quest for excellence.
So how did SP Jain London come into existences, what were the key challenges in entering a highly competitive and complex education landscape? MBAUniverse.com decided to interview Mr Nitish Jain, the Founder and President of the SP Jain Group. A cornel MBA, Mr Jain is the Grandson of late Padma Bhushan Shriyans Prasad Jain, a parliamentarian and industrialist. In a candid interaction, Mr Jain shares why he launched SP Jain London School of Management, the vision for this campus, early response and plans ahead. He also shared insights on how Artificial Intelligence will impact the world of MBA education.
Edited excerpts from this insightful interaction follow:
Q: Let’s start with the recently launched SP Jain London School of Management. How is the progress?
A: We had the good fortune of receiving degree-awarding rights even before our official launch in November last year. Since then, we have made significant progress. Our location in Canary Wharf, the heart of London’s financial and business district, is truly exciting as it puts our students in the midst of all the action, within walking distance of major national and multinational corporations.
Currently, we have a diverse mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students on campus from the UK, India, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Morocco, and we are looking at welcoming more students from around the world during our upcoming intakes in September and October. We've been fortunate to have some exceptional local British and international faculty and staff join us, enriching our community with their expertise and perspectives.
A major focus for us right now is strengthening our corporate partnerships in London, aiming to provide our students with even more valuable opportunities for internships, projects, and career placements.
Q: What programs are you currently offering in the London campus?
A: At the undergraduate level, we have the Bachelor of Business Administration, a four-year program designed to provide students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with leading companies in London and around the world. We also recently launched a Bachelor of Data Science program. This programme has achieved remarkable success in Australia, with graduates from our sister school, SP Jain Global, securing salaries in the range of AUD 78,000 - AUD 120,000. We also have a new and unique BSc Management and Technology programme combining business and technology.
For postgraduates, we provide four specialised programs: MSc Global Business for recent graduates and young professionals; a Global MBA for experienced professionals; a part-time Executive MBA for those aiming for leadership roles; and a new Master of Financial Technology program, taught by industry experts.
What makes SPJ London stand out is our global campus network. While all programs are London-based, students can experience terms at the Dubai, Singapore, and Sydney campuses of SP Jain Global. This unique opportunity provides students with a global perspective, crucial cross-cultural experiences, and a network that spans continents.
Q: Compared to Australia or Singapore, how different is London/UK as an education market? What are the key learnings from setting up this campus?
A: The UK is known for its prestigious universities, steeped in centuries of academic excellence. In contrast, while Australia and Singapore also have a number of reputable institutions, they may lack the same historical prestige or global recognition.
For a young, modern provider like us to set up a campus in London meant entering a market already saturated with renowned schools, which posed a significant challenge. However, this challenge also presented an opportunity for growth and innovation. It forced us to differentiate ourselves by offering a distinctive value proposition tailored to the needs of modern-day students who were looking for an education that prepares them for the demands of today’s job market.
We’ve also had to navigate complex regulatory frameworks, build partnerships with local institutions and industries, and decode cultural nuances. Moreover, the emphasis on innovation in the UK, particularly in fields like finance and technology, has kept us agile, compelling us to continuously raise our standards and foster innovation to stay ahead in a dynamic and evolving market.
Q: In the past, all students graduated from your Australian Campus? Has there been a change in legal/regulatory structure after the London campus?
A: Historically, all our students graduated with an Australian degree. However, with the establishment of our London campus, we now operate as two distinct entities: SP Jain School of Global Management, a registered Australian entity, and SP Jain London School of Management, a British business school that grants UK degrees.
Students who enrol at SP Jain School of Global Management can study across our campuses in Singapore, Mumbai, Dubai, and Sydney, ultimately graduating with an Australian degree. Conversely, students who choose to study at SP Jain London School of Management graduate with a UK degree.
Despite operating as separate entities, both institutions have established extensive exchange and articulation agreements. These agreements enable students to take advantage of our global network by participating in study abroad programs and transferring credits seamlessly across our five locations.
Q: What are the key nationalities of your students? Is the perception of Indian-origin B-school an advantage or disadvantage in attracting international students today…
A: We have students from over 21 countries studying across our undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive programs across our campuses. While the exact breakdown may vary, some of the key nationalities of our students include Indian, British, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Russian, Mongolian, among others.
As for the perception of an Indian-origin business school, it presents both advantages and challenges in attracting international students today. On one hand, our Indian heritage brings with it a reputation for academic rigour, innovation, and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, which can be appealing to many students. However, perceptions vary among different segments of the international student population. Some may see an Indian-origin business school as offering unique insights into emerging markets and opportunities in South Asia, while others may have preconceived notions or stereotypes that could potentially act as barriers to enrolment.
Q: Looking back, when you started in 2004 with the Dubai campus, did you imagine that you would become a global B-school with five campuses…What was your vision then, and how did it evolve?
A: When we started our journey in 2004 in Dubai, imagining ourselves as a global business school with five campuses might have seemed ambitious, but it was certainly part of our long-term vision. From the outset, we recognised that “if business is global, then business schools should also be global”.
As we expanded our footprint over the years, opening campuses in Singapore, Sydney, Mumbai, and most recently in London, our goal was to create an educational experience that enabled students to gain first-hand experience in diverse cultural settings, preparing them to navigate the complexities of the global business landscape with confidence and agility.
Students love our multi-country model that prepares them for global jobs and equips them to work effectively in global teams. And recruiters appreciate the ability of our graduates to adapt to new environments and fresh challenges. This has positioned us as a tier 1 school for many leading companies in India, who recognise the value of our globally minded graduates in driving innovation and growth in today's interconnected world.
Q: What are the key milestones and breakthroughs in this journey…
A: The opening of our global campuses has been a significant milestone. From our humble beginnings with the establishment of our Dubai campus in 2004, we have since expanded to include campuses in Singapore, Sydney, Mumbai, and London.
Another major breakthrough has been the development of our Engaged Learning Online (ELO) platform. In just a few short years, ELO has emerged as a revolutionary online learning platform, recognised for its innovative approach to digital education.
Additionally, SP Jain Global has achieved significant recognition in various global rankings by renowned international publications such as Forbes, Financial Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Economist, and Times Higher Education-Wall Street Journal. Notably, in many of these rankings, we are the youngest business school and ahead of several well-known legacy institutions. What makes this recognition even more special is that many of these rankings are based on graduate outcomes, highlighting the tangible impact our education has on our alumni's careers.
Speaking of graduate outcomes, the success of our alumni stands as a true testament to the impact of an SP Jain Global education. Our alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable success in their respective fields, serving as leaders and innovators in industries around the world. Their accomplishments reflect the quality of education and the transformative experiences they received at SP Jain Global.
Q: What role does the Mumbai campus play?
A: Mumbai is the heart of our operations, providing essential administrative support across all our campuses.
Beyond its administrative role, the Mumbai campus also plays a vital role in delivering various partnership programs, executive education courses, and short-term courses. These programs cater to the diverse needs of our students, alumni, and corporate clients, offering tailored learning experiences and professional development opportunities.
Q: Your institution puts a lot of emphasis on ‘Global’ education. Why is this important when Nationalism is on the rise across the world…
A: Global education transcends geopolitical boundaries, cultivating an appreciation for diverse cultures, viewpoints, and thought processes. In our globally networked economy, international cooperation is key to tackling complex issues like climate change, economic disparity, and worldwide health concerns. Our focus on global education equips students with the understanding and skills to navigate this intricate landscape, instilling empathy, adaptability, and cultural literacy.
We aim to nurture a generation of leaders through this global perspective, leaders who are not just adept at fostering economic growth and innovation, but are also dedicated to advocating peace, sustainability, and social justice on a global scale.
Q: Artificial Intelligence is perhaps the biggest post-Covid development. How will the rise of AI impact jobs, skills, and education sector?
A: The impact of AI on the job landscape will be significant, leading to both job automation and the birth of new roles in fields like AI development, data science, and machine learning. This shift will not only boost the demand for technical skills in programming, data analysis, and algorithm development, but also elevate the importance of soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, all crucial for leveraging AI and adapting to fast-paced work environments.
The rise of AI will also deeply affect the education sector. Institutions will have to remodel their curricula to include AI, preparing students for a future driven by this technology. This could mean infusing AI tools into teaching methods, offering specialised AI and machine learning courses, and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle the multifaceted challenges AI presents.
Q: What initiatives are you planning to leverage Artificial Intelligence at your institution?
A: In response to the accelerating rise of AI, we launched our Master of Artificial Intelligence in Business program in 2020. This innovative program responds to the growing need for professionals skilled in both AI and business applications. Offering a blend of AI theory and real-world business applications, this program equips learners with the tools to navigate the fast-paced business world. It is a great option for students who want to stay relevant and ahead of the curve in a rapidly shifting business environment.
Additionally, we've integrated AI technologies such as Genrative AI and data analytics into our curriculum across multiple disciplines. This infusion of modern tools and techniques offers students hands-on experience and skills not just relevant, but indispensable in today's tech-driven world.
Q: Finally, what are the new initiatives are being planned for 2024 and beyond?
A: As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, we are excited about our London campus and the opportunities it presents for growth and innovation. We are planning to broaden our programs, enhance our facilities and explore new partnerships to strengthen our presence in the vibrant business community of London. Our goal is to position our London campus as a hub of excellence and innovation, where students from around the world can come together to learn, collaborate, and prepare for successful careers in the global marketplace.
In response to the increasing demand for online education, we're also focusing on growing our Engaged Learning Online (ELO) platform and enhancing its features to reach a wider student audience. We are committed to developing this technology to deliver top-tier, interactive learning experiences that compete with traditional classrooms.
