The Hindu Business Line : B-schools urged to focus on soft skills

Mr Iain D. Coleman, Centre Manager, HSBC EDPI Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, being greeted by Prof B. Swamy, former Vice-Chancellor of Nagarjuna University, at a convention of management students at Gayatri College in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. - C.V. Subrahmanyam

Visakhapatnam , Dec 22

THE business schools in the country have failed to develop soft skills in the students, placing them at a disadvantage in the job market, said Prof J.V. Prabhakara Rao, Principal of the College of Arts and Commerce, Andhra University.

At the inaugural session of a convention of management students organised by Gayatri College at Rushikonda on Thursday, he said that the B-schools should address the problem as the students were unable to make the best of the opportunities opening up in the ITES segment and other areas.

"Communication skills in particular are crucial," he added.

Mr Iain D. Coleman, the centre manager of the HSBC call centre, said that his experience during the past two years here had shown him that many of the students aspiring for jobs in the ITES and other areas did not have a clear idea of what they wanted and whether they were equipped to do the job.

"Most of them are confused about their goals and consequently it is difficult to employ them. There are four areas in the ITES segment - call centres, data entry, processing, and professional services. The students should decide what they want to do and become. They should prepare themselves in advance."

Mr. T.B.S Rao, Chairman of the Qatalys group of companies, said that the students should make a conscious attempt to familiarise themselves with the western work culture and make the necessary adjustments to attain success in the field.