An Interview with Dr. Harikrishnan K, Dean at VIT Business School Chennai

VIT Chennai is a private institution established in the year 2010. Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). VIT Chennai admissions are offered based on the VITEEE exam conducted by the institute. Courses offered by VIT Chennai include B.Tech, BBA, BBA(Hons), B.Com, MBA, M.Tech and MCA among others.

Careers360 brings you an exclusive interview with Dr. Harikrishnan K, Dean at VITBS Chennai. In this interview, Dr. Harikrishnan talks about programmes, curriculum, and internship facilities offered by VITBS, Chennai.

Careers360: How do you ensure that the curriculum is continuously updated and can integrate the changing trends of the relevant industry?

Dr. Harikrishnan: Our curriculum is revised frequently to ensure that the gap between industry and academia is bridged. Also, we have our notable alumni and industry experts in our board of studies who provide inputs and guide us on the curriculum and syllabi to make sure that the graduating students are industry-ready.

Careers360: What are the different programmes taught at VIT Chennai? Please give the eligibility details for these.

Dr. Harikrishnan: At Business School, we offer UG programs – BBA (Hons), B.Com (Hons) and PG programmes – MBA and PhD in management. B.Com (Hons) is accredited by ACCA, UK. Our BBA(Hons) program has an option for 2+2 (2 years at VIT and 2 years at RIT, USA, where the BS degree will be conferred by RIT, USA). Both BBA and B.Com have an option for an Accelerated one-year MBA/MS with Rochester Institute of Technology, New York.

In BBA (Hons), we offer specialisations – General Management, Digital Marketing and Communication Strategy, Business Analytics & AI

In B.Com (Hons), we offer specialisations – Banking and Finance, Audit and Assurance, Financial Markets and Analytics

For BBA and B.Com programs, a minimum overall aggregate of 70% in the qualifying examination is required.

Careers360: Can you tell us more about the PhD courses and their different research domains?

Dr. Harikrishnan: At Business School, we have faculty guides who can guide the scholars in their respective areas of expertise, which broadly fall under 5 categories – Marketing, Finance, Operations, HR & OB and Systems.

Careers360: What is the key to a healthy balance of academics and extracurriculars for a student? How is this developed at VIT Chennai?

Dr. Harikrishnan: There are more than 100 student-run clubs in the institute, which are responsible for liveliness in the college. A student can enrol themselves in any clubs that suit their interests.

Careers360: Please share statistics on the latest internships - roles, companies, and salary packages.

Dr. Harikrishnan: Our BBA and B.Com students have been placed in reputed companies like PWC, TCS, PickyourTrail, etc, with a package of 5 lakh per annum.

Careers360: What is your vision for the future of VIT Chennai?

Dr. Harikrishnan: To be among the top reputed business schools of choice among prospective students and recruiters by providing intellectual, behavioural knowledge inputs to students and practising managers who become effective leaders and responsible citizens in the global environment.

VIT Business School prides itself on producing transformational catalysts who understand the profound interplay of business, society, and the environment, in line with the growing call for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) enabled business education.

Careers360: What advice would you give to future students who want to pursue courses at VIT Chennai?

Dr. Harikrishnan: My advice to future students aspiring to pursue MBA, BBA, or B.Com courses at VIT Business School is: to “approach your academic journey with curiosity, commitment, and clarity of purpose. Choose your program not just for its name, but for how it aligns with your strengths and long-term goals. Develop a strong foundation in business fundamentals, but also be open to learning from real-world experiences, internships, and interactions with industry leaders. Most importantly, invest in building your communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills — these will set you apart in any field. At VIT Business School, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded professionals prepared to lead with integrity and innovation”.

Disclaimer: This article has been published as a marketing initiative between Careers360 and VIT, Chennai.