Last year, in July 2020, US$ 19.4 billion Mahindra Group had launched its Mahindra University (MU) Hyderabad. Now, MU has launched its School of Management (SOM). Mahindra University has roped in well-known global management academic and former faculty at CEIBS China - Prof Rama Velamuri as its Dean. Prof Velamuri confirmed with MBAUniverse.com that he has joined as the Dean of SOM at Mahindra University and has relocated to Hyderabad. He also shared his University’s plans of rolling out many management programs.
Before we discuss about the School of Management, here are key details about Mahindra University. Spread across 130-acre campus in Hyderabad, MU plans to operate through six Schools:
- École Centrale School of Engineering, already operational (Ecole Centrale School of Engineering that was set up in 2014)
- School of Management, being launched in 2021-22
- School of Law, being launched in 2021-22
- Indira Mahindra School of Education, being launched in 2021-22
- School of Media & Liberal Arts, to be launched in 2022-23
- School of Design, to be launched in 2023-24
Launching the University, Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group and Chancellor, Mahindra University, said, “Mahindra University will strive to deliver a more balanced education, combining the latest technology with Liberal Arts, to create next generation leaders that have a holistic world view.” University plans to enrol 4,000 Students and over 300+ Faculty members in various Schools at Mahindra University over the next five years. Well known educationist Prof Yajulu Medury is the Vice-Chancellor of Mahindra University.
By roping in Prof Rama Velamuri to join the University as the Dean of its School of Management, Mahindra University has affirmed its serious intent. Prof Rama Velamuri has taught Entrepreneurship and Negotiation at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS). He was the Academic Director of CEIBS’s Global Executive MBA. In 2020, CEIBS was ranked #2 globally on the FT’s list of the top EMBA programmes and #5 in the world in its list of top MBA programmes.
Speaking to MBAUniverse.com, Prof Velamuri said, “Yes, I have joined Mahindra University as the Dean of its School of Management on March 1st, 2021. Me and my family have already relocated to Hyderabad.”
When asked about the management programs to be launched at Mahindra University, Prof Velamuri said that he plans to launch a BBA and BA Economics and Finance immediately in 2021. MBA and PhD programs are also on the anvil. “To begin with, we will offer the BA Economics and Finance and the BBA. In year two or three, we will launch our MBA program. We plan to offer a PhD starting year two,” said Prof Velamuri.
In keeping with the high standards, Mahindra University will keep the BBA batch small and selective. “We will start with a small BBA and BA Economics and Finance batch in August 2021. As of now, we are planning to admit 90 students,” said Prof Velamuri.
Prof Rama Velamuri was previously the faculty of IESE Business School for four years (2003-2007), where he was the Academic Director of the Global Executive MBA, Henkel Adhesives Technologies Profitable Growth, and Inside India programs. He has also taught as a Visiting Professor at the Indian School of Business (ISB) since 2004. ProfVelamuri’s two main areas of research focus include “how ethical behaviors of entrepreneurs influence their ability to mobilize stakeholder support” and “relationship between entrepreneurial strategies and firm growth”. He has carried out a number of assignments for the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Prof Velamuri completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from the University of Madras, an MBA from IESE Business School, and a Ph.D from the Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.
Interestingly, COVID 19 played an important role in Prof Velamuri’s return to India after more than three decades. MBAUniverse.com will publish an in-depth interview with Prof Velamuri soon. Stay tuned!
