Flame School of Business MBA Review By Pradip Lakhani

Flame Business School is meant for the rich ones as the fees is something which is unacceptable with the kind of placements they provide. My aim was learning and I was impressed with the course MBA in Communication. I checked the options and there were just 2 more colleges that are MICA and SIMC that offer this course. I failed to clear the entrance for both the colleges and then went to Flame. They asked me what all entrances I have given and then an interview will be conducted and your selection will be based on that. Some 10-12 people were called for a fake GD session as I spoke one line and within a week after GD, I was delivered a letter that congratulations you have been selected to join our college. After facing one scam already with MITSOM College, I was not ready for the other but packed my bags and came to Pune again. Well Flame has the ingredients to come under the creamy layer of B-Schools as the infra, faculty, and all are great but they should have a criteria for intake and not just seek for the students who can afford them.

The institute in a way is not accountable still to make us realize that the fees they charge is right, they installed AC’s in each classrooms. Our course Communication Management was a bit liberal as practical business exposure was given more importance and during those 2 years, I entered some 30 companies saw their working style and how a communication management student can contribute with their inputs in the industry. This was so impressive and I was like at least, I am getting some return of my investment. If they filter the intake the college way of teaching will certainly take the college far.

If you see all the best b-schools in the country, Flame also had the faculty that had same experience and same degrees. The teaching method was more research and practical oriented. To make sure that students have overall development 3-4 faculty took us to different venues in the city and took the class’s off-campus. The bright and innovative ideas that faculty had was mind blowing. For sure I knew my subjects deeply and finally did some learning that will stay with me for life.

After so many industrial tours the expectations obviously were high but as the colleges in Pune are Flame was no exception. The advertisements showed highest package of Rs. 22 lakhs and average of Rs. 13 lakhs. Again it was a marketing gimmick as the placement ratio was certainly better but the placement that we got was of 6-9 lakhs. No one got a placement higher than that and I am not 100% sure but I don’t think anyone had a placement opportunity of less than 6 lakhs.

The hostel is compulsion as the MBA at flames is a compulsory residential program. There are 5 hostel buildings and 2 students stay in each room. The rooms have 2 separate beds, a balcony, AC, and all the furniture that is essential. The campus also have staff hostel as many staff members stay in the hostel. The rooms are as good as a 3 star hotel room and the balcony gate that open towards the lawn made me mornings even more beautiful. The food at the hostel was great as finally we had North Indian food twice to thrice in a week. The hostelities also engaged in fun banters as we had a common area and there was no time limit as we used to chill there till late at night. Smoking was strictly prohibited not just for students and the staff as well.

One needs to wear a 3D glass to see the infrastructure. The main building shape was something that even 2 years after passing I am not able to figure out what shape it was. The Flame Business School and other colleges of Flame groups were inside the same campus that was spread across 60 acres. Most picturesque campus that you will ever come across for sure. A lake (kund) and a mountain backdrop were the main highlights of one of the finest infrastructure you will come across. The college cricket ground will remind you of Dharamshala or Cape Town Cricket stadium. The Plaza was the place where all the students used to come and relax as there were couches and TV rooms. Sitting beside Kund and chilling with my friends is one of the finest memories of mine about the college. For eateries there were 6 cafeterias in the canteen.

There were over 10-20 recreation areas in the campus. The coffee shop was one where all the planning about the classes and events were made. The events unfortunately were lesser and projects and research or going on industrial visits is how I bided my 2 years at the campus. Met some of the finest people who are now my friends for life. The campus is located far from civilization if I may say that and therefore for 2 years we were jam-packed inside the campus itself.