Brainware University to offer AI-integrated MBA, BBA courses from 2026

Kolkata: Brainware University in West Bengal is reimagining management education to meet the evolving needs of a rapidly changing business world driven by technology and innovation. The university is shifting its focus from rote learning to real-world application, from traditional classrooms to experiential and industry-linked learning. Saileswar Ghosh, professor and head of the department, Management, speaks to Careers360 about the university’s new-age curriculum, placements, international collaborations, and more. Edited excerpts:

How is Brainware University redefining management education to meet the needs of a rapidly changing business world?

The management department started in 2016 with the vision of offering contemporary and industry-oriented programmes. From the beginning, we wanted to create a department that would be technology-enabled, research-driven, and globally aware. The focus has been on developing a new generation of management graduates who are not only theoretically sound but also practically capable. The NEP 2020 framework has helped us further integrate flexibility and multidisciplinary exposure into our courses.

What are some of the unique aspects of your curriculum that make it new-age?

Our curriculum is regularly updated to match industry trends. We have introduced data analytics, business intelligence, AI applications in management, and digital marketing as part of our teaching. The syllabus includes live projects, case studies, simulation exercises, and fieldwork.

The aim is to move away from rote learning and focus more on practical exposure and problem-solving skills. Students are also encouraged to take certification courses through platforms like IBM, which add extra value to their profiles. IBM provides training, and even internship and placement assistance. They also award a global certification.

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What kind of internship opportunities do students receive?

Internships are a mandatory component of both the BBA and MBA programmes. MBA students go for internships after their second semester, while BBA students take them after their fourth.

Many of these internships convert into full-time roles. We maintain close relationships with industry partners to ensure that students get meaningful, project-based internships where they can apply what they’ve learned in class.

How have placements evolved in recent years? Who are the key recruiters?

Our BBA programme has a 100% placement record. For MBA, placements range between 90-95%. A few students choose not to participate in placements as they prefer to start their own ventures or join their family businesses. But overall, our placement record remains very strong.

In BBA, most students receive multiple offers — two or three in many cases.

Top recruiters include TCS, EY, ICICI, HDFC, Amazon, Flipkart, Pantaloons, and several other leading brands. The average salary package ranges between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh per annum, while the highest offers have gone up to Rs 11–12 lakh.

What are the key challenges management education faces today?

Technological change today is happening at a tremendous pace, especially after the advent of AI. Every quarter brings new developments that impact management education – whether in marketing, HR, or finance.

The speed of change is tremendous. This is the biggest challenge. The required skills, the curriculum, and even the training of teachers have to keep up with that speed. What we learn today may become obsolete tomorrow, so adaptability and continuous learning are essential.

Government institutions often face limitations due to bureaucratic processes, but private universities like ours have the flexibility to adapt quickly.

We consult industry experts, organise faculty training, and revise our curriculum to match corporate expectations. That agility helps us stay relevant.

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Do you offer an integrated course, and what are your future academic plans?

At present, we don’t offer any integrated programmes, but we plan to introduce them from next year onwards.

Currently, our BBA programme offers four specialisations — marketing, finance, HR, and entrepreneurship along with BBA in digital marketing and BBA in business analytics. The business analytics programme is integrated with IBM, which provides semester-wise certifications, training, and global certification opportunities, along with internship and placement support.

All BBA programmes are four-year courses with multiple exit options – a certificate after one year, a diploma after two, a degree after three, and an honours with research after four. The MBA will be offered in both one-year and two-year formats, depending on whether the student has completed a four-year or three-year undergraduate degree.

Do you offer any special scholarships for students from economically weaker backgrounds?

Yes, we do. The university offers several scholarships to support students from financially weaker sections. These include the Swami Vivekananda Scholarship, various Minority Commission scholarships, and the university’s own Vidyalankar Scholarship, which can cover up to 100% of the tuition fee. We also consider students’ merit and individual circumstances while granting financial assistance.

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How many students graduate from the management department each year?

Around 400 to 450 students graduate every year, including BBA and MBA. This year, about 590 students took admission in management courses. Many of our BBA digital marketing students prefer entrepreneurship over traditional jobs. Some have already started consultancy work with international clients, even in their third or fourth semester. For instance, a few fifth-semester students launched their own online venture, ‘GiftYours’, an e-commerce platform that allows users to send gifts to friends and loved ones.

Could you tell us about the student exchange programme and how they are selected?

Yes, the selection process is quite rigorous. It involves three stages — a written examination, a presentation, and an interview to assess the student’s English proficiency, since the entire course abroad is conducted in English. Every year, five selected students travel to the US for one semester. Many even get the chance to convert their J1 visa to an F1 visa, allowing them to pursue master’s studies and get jobs there.

So far, three of our students have settled in the USA, pursuing higher studies alongside employment. This year, five more students have been selected to go in December, with classes beginning in January