CEO of IIKM Business School, Ms. Raakhee Shashikant shares powerful lessons of life with the youth

Interview by Sakshi Aggarwal

Ms. Raakhee Shashikant, the Chairperson of RaakS Global Ventures (OPC) Pvt. Ltd is also the Co-founder Director / CEO of IIKM Business School. She has nurtured it to the greatest heights and under her stewardship, IIKM continues to scale higher peaks. Born in 1980, in “God’s own Country”, Kerala, and brought up in Chennai, Ms. Raakhee started her professional career with a GCC approved Medical Centre then on with a US-based education Institution and an International Inspection Company at Dubai, UAE.

After this stint in Dubai, Ms. Raakhee returned to her homeland to take up the task of setting up a Business school in Chennai and Calicut, which today is known as “IIKM Business School”. IIKM within a short span of time has achieved many creditable rankings by all the reputed Business Journals and Market Research Agencies and today it is considered to be one among the top Business Schools in the country.

Ms. Raakhee Shashikant’s educational qualification includes M.Sc. M.Phil in Microbiology, EMBA, EPLM (IIM –C). To her credit, she had won the Best Woman Entrepreneur Award of Lions Club, Chennai of Lions Club International. Also, she was nominated for the Youngest Woman CEO, Prime Leader in Globe Luxury Awards, as well as Women Leader in Education sector by National and International bodies. IIKM Business School stands tall today, as a testimony to her commitment, dedication, hard work and most of all her ability to attract and retain the best talent for her institution.

Experience in the education industry

Prior to entering into this Education Industry, I have worked with Healthcare and Multinational companies in India and abroad. In my opinion and satisfaction, I believe imparting Quality education is above all enterprises. It is not just a means of Business but imparting knowledge gives you immense fulfillment at the end of the day. You can see the students nurture in front of you and transform themselves into a professional, ready to face the corporate world. Also, being amidst these young minds there is always a challenge for continuous learning which motivates us to be updated on the emerging trends.

Significant challenges faced as the Vice Chancellor or Director IIKM Business School

Every day is a new page with these young sparkling minds in the campus. They are so very talented and technologically updated that we have to provide them with the right faculties who can understand them and channelize their resourceful energy and thoughts in a productive way. And finding such mentors is always a challenging task today. With the grace of God, we are blessed with such faculty members who are not just academicians but also have rich industry experience.

Explore more about the faculty at IIKM Business School here.

Curriculum in IIKM Business School

Though we follow the prescribed University Syllabus for our Management Degree, we enhance them with our PGPM (Post Graduate Program in Management) a Unique collection of Industry Integrated curriculum with the latest pedagogy which is updated every year based on the new trends adopted globally.

Goals in mind for IIKM Business School

IIKM Business School must be the most sort after Management Education Institute in India and must spread its wings across the Globe. IIKM Business School should also be the trendsetter in creating a maximum number of socially responsible entrepreneurs. And most essentially makes its presence felt among the leading Business Schools, Globally.

Quality of education in the institution

Our students frequently interact with an Industry expert from all areas, Entrepreneurs and are engaged in many Social activities. IIKM is a member of NEN (National Entrepreneurship Network), EDI (Entrepreneurship Institute), American Library, MMA (Madras Management Association), and much more which gives them a better exposure to enhance their skills.

There is a systematic feedback mechanism from both students and faculties, followed by a review of the Management. This practice ensures us to take immediate remedy where ever needed for the smooth functioning of the Institution. This is one of the successful strategy practiced by us.

On building a positive school culture in IIKM Business School

The positive school culture can be built only if you preach and practice positive attitude. More than taking sessions on the culture of Positive-ness we need to set ourselves as the right examples for the students to follow.

Relationship with the students

At IIKM we have an integrated holistic approach to teaching, in which there is one to one mentoring for every student. By this, we are able to understand each student better. We are not only able to direct them for their better career but also to be a good human being in all spheres of their lives. Such Holistic approach helps us to establish a cordial relation with our students.

Growth of students through placement opportunities available at IIKM Business School

We train our students to aim for an excellent career with their passion in mind to achieve their dream. We ensure that they get the right platform to showcase their talents in the most effective way, which will bring honor to the institution. Down the lane, IIKM is looking forward for placement abroad in their campus drive.

Check the list of companies recruiting in IIKM Business School here.

Raakhee Shashikant’s philosophy of leadership and her leadership style

My leadership skills are more of a mentor or a coaching style. I believe there is potential in every individual, if I am able to analyze the potential of my team member and lead them according to their strengths and abilities it’s not just the Institution who is going to reap the benefits of their work at the end of the day but each employee would have built a career by then.

Suggestion for the current youth and the aspiring students

Current youth is far more intelligent than we can imagine, but they are not channelized. Today knowledge is at their fingertips, but to distinguish good from the bad is their need of the hour. I would like to tell them not to forget the rich heritage they belong to, explore them, imbibe them and take pride in it.