Demand for professionally trained environment managers is on the increase since economic growth entails environmental degradation. Hence, trained manpower is vital to deal with environmental issues and achieve sustainable development.
Placement of candidates with MBA Environmental Management, a two-year course offered since 2005 at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchi, has been encouraging. They have been posted as Environment Research Officers/Consultants/ Executives in organisations in India and abroad. They include Grass Roots Research and Creation Private limited, New Delhi; Sahara Computer private limited, Johnnesburg; Water Treatment Technology Services India Private Limited, Tirupur; Geo- Envirocare, Chennai; Birla Sensory Textile- ETP, Gujarat; Evergreen Managing Consultants, Coimbatore; AF Mercados Consultant Firm, New Delhi; and General Electrical Company, Pune.
The department is in the process of approaching public sector undertakings like BHEL and TNPL prevailing upon them to absorb quality manpower.
Eco-sanitation, reuse and recycle of plastics, preparation of pellets from plastic refuse as raw material for industry, composting solid waste, decentralized waste water treatment, organic farming, ISO 14000 certification and energy auditing are opening up myriad of opportunities for fresh MBA graduates to become environmental entrepreneurs, says M. Ravichandran, Professor and Head, Department of
Environmental Management, Bharathidasan University, adding that graduates with engineering background would also suit this program, as introduction of green measures from construction of houses to nurturing solar energy warrant engineering skills coupled with environmental wisdom.
Placement prospects are bright as corporate sectors open large vistas of green products, market for green technologies and environment impact assessment which is mandatory for every new project.
The MBA program, been specially designed by experts in environmental sciences, is holistic and has a comprehensive course structure, enabling students to learn environmental problems from natural science, geography and social science perspectives. Students undergo courses
such as corporate environmental management, environmental risk assessment, energy and environment, GIS and environment, ecological economics, forest resource management, bioremediation, waste management, industrial ecology, environmental ethics and legislation, environmental planning, climate change, and clean development mechanism.
Besides, students will be engaged in village adoption program to promote sustainability and taken on frequent industrial visits. Special
invited lecture series are organised every week, roping in experts from outside the department to initiate discussions on current environment topics.
This unique MBA program has been supported by the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, under UGC- Innovative Program. Excellent class rooms equipped with personal computers and round the clock internet access; state of art laboratories equipped to monitor water and air quality; bioremediation research facility; and GIS mapping are among the department's strength.
Moreover, the composite nature of the faculty from various branches of environmental sciences is the mainstay of the department. The MBA programme offered on an inter-disciplinary basis was first of its kind in India, Dr. Ravichandran said.
The eligibility for this MBA programme is any degree with fifty percent marks. Admitted candidates are eligible for backward class and schedule caste scholarship from the State Government. The two year post graduate program will cost Rs. 40,000, inclusive of course fee and examination fee for all the four semesters.
