Thursday, December 13, 2007

ICFAI Distance Learning





Hi All ICFAI MBA - Distance Learning Aspirors and existing students.

With my personal experience with ICFAI distance learning MBA, I want to educate people who are willing to join this course.

I would like to warn each student who might want to pursue this course that it is high level risk of your career and time. Please think 100 times after reading the below info if you want to join this course.

Lets start from good points ( probably some of them lured me to join the course )

1 COURSEWARE - They have an excellent courseware with high quality knowledge. They almost cover all the aspects in a particular subject for which negative part I will cover later.

2 The Brand Name - I have heard I dunno how true this is that ICFAI is one of the top Business schools.

3 No Entrance Exams - You dont need any CET / CAT or other entrance exams to join this course. Even a person winning a luna ( getting dot 35%) can join the course and think of becoming an MBA.

4 Flexible Payment - Major working low / middle class students can think of joining this course.

5 MBA degree - This can be the shortcut to get an MBA degree. Highly recommended.

6 The course is not that easy though but atleast that gives u hopes that you will learn something good.

Now Enough Lets see the other end.


$ - Fees are too high

$ - Their lectures are pathetic a normal first class graduate would have a better knowledge in certain areas than their professors ( mumbai )

$ - They are granting admission to students without any planning there is no limit. It becomes like a govt school.

$ - They charge considerably high for almost everything which they are not worth of. And this seems it is only coz of their name and books probably. But if that is the case then they are highly unproffessional.

$ - Though the books are amazing they cover major topics but how easy is it to finish studying all of this within 3 months. E.G accounts subjects start from basic FYJC accounts till MCom level accounts. Commerce students will tell you the difference in the level.

$ - The course is difficult but you dont expect to get MBA kind off knowledge wen the portion is so vast and time is so less.

I have just created this blog since im unhappy with this course and thinking of many students who have great dreams and less opportunity ( money as well) who join this course with high hopes and then cannot accept the ground reality of this course. They are somewhere fooling so many of us. People like me are not bothered of loosing money and being patient but my question is when will all this stop.

Lastly

I have written a couple of emails to this organisation ( where I never got any reply and Im not expecting either ) which clearly says how disgusted I am at the moment.


Dear SSD,

Since many days I was trying to register for my Group C exam and always used to realise that the registeration are not on yet. I always used to get the message shown in the attached file.

Please check you website records as well if you think im worng.

Please give me a clear understanding if I am getting such notes how will I proceed and register for exams.Untill yesterday I was under an impression that registerations are not on yet.

Lately after my friend intimated me today that registrations are on and will now have to bear late fees. I was still calm till I was sure that I didnt miss the date. The problem now is that now I am not able to register for my exams in any nearby location from my house and almost all the centres nearby to my residence in Mumbai are full.

Some simple questions which I know ICFAI will not bother to address me till any further step is taken.

Why was this link not rectified?

Why does ICFAI do not send intimations for exam registerations if they can send double reminders for cheque clearance?

I think with ICFAI being so big they atleast must be knowing the expected footfall for certain exams with no of admissions they have. If they can make arrangements for admission who will make arrangements for exams?

Who will be responsible of my waste of three months if I cannot give the exam?

Why should I register in a village or an area miles far away from my house if have no options ?

Lastly with so high fees that you charge for the course can you please let us know if you people are actually justifying 1000rs that are charged for each exam when they cannot solve infrastructural problems.

No response to this email will only be considered a glorifying achievement in ICFAI's unprofessional approach towards educating people or another learning for me of how to run away from problems.

Finally again let me reiterate that I understand that there are problems with every organizations but they are not solved unless people

Thanks

Tushar Khakhar



It would be great if someone can at least read the below email as well where I haven't got any response yet.


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: tushar khakhar
To: SSDTC@ICFAI.ORG
Sent: Friday, 1 June, 2007 12:10:39 PM
Subject: Re: MBA group C classes

Dear Sir / Madam
This is to inform you that we are unhappy with the unprofessional approach towards conducting the training classes for MBA.
There are a serious of concerns that we have are mentioned below.
It has been repeatedly noticed that the classroom which is for school students is given to us. Adding to it we being a batch of 80 students ( noticing since three groups) try to accommodate in the classroom. We need to adjust ourselves to 3 student per bench. It is very difficult to concentrate in these circumstances. The joke being the professors tell us to note down the proceedings of the lecture. Normally, in those benches only two people can accommodate and write down notes easily and when three people fit in neither of the three can write anything. Also do I need to mention that we cannot use the Lift service, no coolers or air conditioners in the classroom (that is not necessary ) etc. It just makes me realise that I was a fool to join for training lectures and I don't attend classes for many such reasons. Believe me the actual scenario in the classroom is very difficult to explain.
We were still OK with this treatment till the first two groups (Group A and Group B). But now that I know that Group C is the most difficult and your past records show that the pass percentage for this group is the lowest. Being a commerce graduate myself I understand that these subjects cannot be covered in few lectures. But looking at the current situation if we still cant get the most out of what we are getting now then it is just useless to go for such training programs.
And let me add we have been complaining about this to our coordinator Poonam Padia and the least is we could expect anything from her. It seems she does not have much authority to change things or she cannot do anything as she has less options or she is not doing anything for her benefit. The responses that we get is students strength tends to reduce every week and hence they cannot conduct two batches. But how does that matter when you people have received fees from all the students.
Whatever the reason might be but also the fact is we pay Rs 3000 for training of one group. If at an average we count 50 students ( where there are actually around 80 students in my batch) the total for that batch would be Rs 1,50,000 (50 x Rs 3,000).I understand there is some rent that needs to be paid for the classroom and also remunerations to the professors. But practically speaking the rent is negligible compared to the income that you get per batch. Also considering that my batch is not the only batch conducted, there are so many batches at the same time so rent hardly matters if I consider the income from all these batches. I'm sure professors do not charge anywhere close to Rs 50,000 per batch that you cant afford one more if you split the batches. This where I need to add that, Do we even get any luxurious treatment against this?
The question I want to ask is that, in these circumstances it is difficult to sit for the lectures and If someone fails who is the person responsible.
A suggestion, please do not play with peoples career this way it takes pain to earn money and most of the students joining your MBA program cannot afford high donations and are working personnel's.
I have no hatred for ICFAI but I am upset with the way things are placed.
Again this is in the interest of the people who normally will never speak up, as in India people are used to adjust themselves in life.
I know it is difficult to change such things easily but I want my institute to get awakened and also want to let them know that they are one of the best but they can be the best in the market and this is exactly what I am trying to address.
Finally I am happy and proud that I am pursuing my masters from ICFAI but...
Hoping for your positive approach towards my email.
Thanks & Regards
Tushar Khakhar
MBA 2082399
Joined MBA (distance learning) in Borivali, Mumbai Branch.
Currently in MBA Group C
P.S - Please address this to the higher officials


Ha ha I must be very sarcastic here but ppl my intentions are also to teach these people of what I have learnt from their so called 360* Learning MBA Course.

Many of the ICFAI faculties and employees and loyal students who must have cleared very easily or must b having loads of money will revert back to this blog in anger which is what I anticipate.

Let the game begin.

Tushar Khakhar

tushar19k@gmail.com

22 comments:

Bubbles in Mind said...

Hi ,

I think my comment will disappoint you as you are expecting some angry remarks from others.
On the contrary i completely agree with you. Some times I feel like a big fool to take admission in this so called "flexible learning programme".
There is no flexibility, that is for sure but they are making it more complicated to clear any group and the reason behind it (at least which i can think about) is to gather more more and more money.
there is no point of such restriction as clearing the whole group at once so that all ur hard work given to other subject of same group is in vain.the sarcasm in this is, u have to get 65% to b eligible to appear only in 1 paper next time. but wat if u got 64 or 63? i really unable to understand this provision & the "why" behind it.
i'm working and its really tough to study rigorously after that.I dont have complaints for syllabus or its toughness for common students like me but they should have organize more interactive classroom sessions coz at this time its a complete wastage of time and money (at least in Pune and after reading ur post, even in m'bai). i dont know about my IQ level but till joining this course i thought myself as a good student if not brilliant. Now i'm struggling with the course material as well as my self confidence.
I’m completely unaware of this whole accounting business coz till yet i have been a science student thru out my education. And the syllabus is so vast that u feel like gasping for breath of relief. I was just looking for past papres coz i thot abt not wasting more money for downloading it frm icfai site and came across many students with similar thoughts.it is a kind of relief to see the similar dissatisfaction and to know that im not the only one who dont get answers of genuine mails. :)
Anyways right now feeling a bit light after sharing my frustration and if u r appearing for exams in Jan…all the best.

Binil said...

Hey do you guys know of any way to get out the MBA track of Icfai without legal problems?

Unknown said...

Hi,

I enrolled for MBA within so called FL scheme, initially I paid 10,000 bks via CC and rest 17 PDCs but after few month faced real scenario when I was unable to download registration due to unknown reason. I continuously called SSD desk but as usual no response and I was unable to appear in the examination, later on I got the reply on the same issue that it might be a server problem , its so easy to say server problem for these people.

There is scheme “Edwintage Books” through which student can get the books of his choice absolutely free… after booking books twice or thrice I never received single one. AND NOW after so many communication with them when I decided to drop in the mid of course first I got calls from the local branch (person used abusive language), ignored all these but I was in soup as there was an arrest warrant for me from so called sister concn of ICFAI, Hifco Marvel. Now they have suite a case against me regarding remaining PDCs (stop payment sec: 138 cheque bounce) which they never returned. Still fighting in the court with these people bt don knw wat else I can do.. Pls join n help me to raise this issue as matter is still in the court …u can reach me: ashishgaur01@gmail.com (09911188747)

Ashish

Rits said...

Bravo tushar,

finaly found someone who dared raise the voice against this ill-mannered institution. I am suffering the same ... though you have wrote enough yet wanna add that this is not only who is getting irritated but lot many students like us also who never get replied or responded or updated with the insititution. I am just counting my tears that have rolled down from my heart. its not about money I've wasted, its all about the time ... shame on ICFAI.

Brutal Passion said...

I am a new bakra. These cut-throats didnt send me books even when the exams are scheduled first week of next monrh!

Unknown said...

hi,
I am also dissatisfied with the management at ICFAI. I sent them a few mails for the initial ones of which I did receive some response. But now they have stopped responding. I shall paste the mails and ICFAI's responses for all ur reference

Unknown said...

I began mailing them bcoz there was an issue with my exam registration which the mail would explain

To: registrar@iutripura.org

Good Morning,
I,Sandhya.N.Ramchandani (Enrollment Number - 6010020724785) had registered for July, 2008 Exams. I had seen a message online confirming the completion of my registration. Despite constant efforts it has not been possible to get a positive response from the Student Services Department, Hydearabad, Andhra Pradesh. Being unable to understand where the fault lies, I request you to kindly look into the matter and do the needful.



I hope ICFAI understands that the website prompted completion of the registration due to which I was relaxed. And that, I would have been more alert had there been an error message or non-confirmation of the registration. Also I believe ICFAI knows it is not a cakewalk to pursue the MBA it offers along with managing a full-time job.



I would be obliged if you kindly do the needful at the earliest.



Thanking you,

Regards,

Sandhya.N.Ramchandani

(MBA-6010020724785)


and this was ICFAI's response to me -
6010020724785
Dear Ms.Sandhya N Ramchandani,

Please note that our records indicate that your registration is incomplete for July '08 exams and examination Registration facility for the july 2008 examination session is closed.The next session of the examination will be in October 2008 and the necessary details like examination schedule, last date to register for the same will be uploaded on the website in the first/second week of August 2008. You can register accordingly.

Student Services Department

Unknown said...

Good Afternoon Sir/Madam,
Subject: Dissatisfaction with ICFAI management



Enrollment number: 6010020724785



Summary:

Issues of concern:

Improper handling of restructuring of curriculum without sufficient shock absorbers

Lack of sufficient notice period before change of curriculum

Insufficiency of online examination Registration process

Indifference to students’ problems and the attitude of penalizing rather than helping out

Incorrect answers posted on website

And therefore, dissatisfaction with the management



Action needed:

Students should have been informed that July, 2008 exams were the last in accordance with the old curriculum.

Students be given sufficient notice period to cover the course as promised at the time of enrollment (which would include the course Project Management also).



Elucidation:

This is to express that the restructuring of the program is not welcome. The education offered by ICFAI holds good value and name for its comprehensive approach and qualititative education. The sudden removal of the subjects - Quantitative Methods, Project Management and bringing down Financial Accounting and Management Accounting to one course - Accounting for Decision Making is robbing away the essential essence and charm of the program.



It is highly demotivating and demoralizing to a student (especially since I had been trying to get an admit card for the exams just gone by). A student who has studied the subjects and could not write the exam would be highly disappointed.



The management here could not help a student with a problem with regard to generation of the admit card. The SSD did tell me that the details entered for the exam registration were observed in the website database; but that the registration process was not completed and therefore an Admit card was not generated.Despite bringing this to the notice of the University authorities, the management made no attempts to rise above technical glitches. It is very unpleasant to see the sorry state of affairs wherein the management does not consider the importance of students’ time or that of even notifying the students before hand about the expected changes and that the exam for the specific courses would not be conducted thereon.



We are now forced to follow the new course curriculum. I understand - the students deserve to be told this much in advance; or the new program be put into effect after a notice period such that those who enrolled with the previous curriculum have the opportunity to complete the course as they were promised at the time of enrollment.



The university website also has a feedback form, through which a feedback had been given immediately regarding a discrepancy in answers of Group A papers, January, 2008. The answers were not in compliance with the textbook information and yet nothing was done about it.



I would be obliged if you kindly do the needful in order to hold high the spirits and keep up the interest of the students.



.............. Eagerly awaiting a positive response

As we are aware, everybody’s time is precious and losing out 3 months and then going back to square 1 is a criminal wastage of time.



Being a Management School we expect ICFAI to set up wonderful examples of good Management for its students and therefore look forward to it doubtlessly.



We may refer to the period of 1980's when Jawaharlal Technological University (JNTU) brought in the credit system (Theory and Practicals) for the courses it offered; and that this change was brought in wonderfully.



Regards,

Sandhya.N.Ramchandani

MBA - 6010020724785

Unknown said...

to the above mail the following was the response I obtained-

6010020724785
Dear Ms.Sandhya N Ramchandani

Please refer to your email dated August 02, 2008 and our earlier briefing during your visit to SSD and reply on the subject.

We again wish to clarify that the restructuring has been effected by the University after due deliberations on the subject. Point-wise clarification is as under:

1. Restructuring is done in the course curriculum to make it more logical and student friendly and definitely not simplified as indicated by you.
2. As indicated earlier, students would be required to write only 20 subjects instead of 22 and definitely not more.
3. Students who have completed upto Group D by July 2008 are being facilitated to write subject Organization Behavior in Group B, IT & Systems in Group C and HRM of Group D. Hence, no additional quarter is wasted.

As explained above and during earlier visit, all the subjects under existing structure are duly covered in some form or the other in the revised structure. The relevant knowledge level in the specific areas expected from the management students is taken care of.

In view of this, you are advised to appear for the examinations under new structure.

Student Services Department

Unknown said...

Hope all you people out here care to see how ICFAI is deviating from its "meritum ethicus"

Unknown said...

Hi All,

Just one word, ICFAI is just behind $ and nothing else. New entrants, please do not pursue any courses from ICFAI. If i write about ICFAI, i can write a Encyclopedia.

Thanks
hariprem4@yahoo.com

Vandana Sharma said...

I'am facing the same problem.I enrolled in the month of June 08.Due to job stress and some financial problems I decided to discontinue.I canceled 3 of my cheques . I never knew we cannot withdraw from the course. I have already paid 21000 and have not taken a single exam.Despite of sending mails requesting to take me off all they are bothered about is taking money.I donot demand a refund but at least I work hard to earn and why do i pay for something I don't want anymore.

They just reply by saying it is clearly stated you cannot withdraw(honestly I could never find that out in the prospectus... they have some hidden policies)and weekly e-malis(i never recied any aoart from payment reminders!!) and that I will have to pay. They keep sending me letters and threaten me that it's a legal matter.I mean I have not taken any mortgage......Gosh they are harassing me!! I just want to discontinue.that's it.Is it not possible without any legal problems.

Could you kindly let me know about the developments in your problem !!
DO I have to pay??
SO many people have cancelled their cheques.You have any idea.
I'm in total mess...n regret this descision completely.

Unknown said...

You can only change your Corresponding address within their web portal so that they wont reach you

Unknown said...

All the so called proffessionals dont you know that you need to read the rules, regulations and legal aspects of the document before signing it. ICFAI is doing nothing but its cashing the opportunity from some fools who even doesnt know that they have to read the whole document before signing it.
Please do that and crip about anything you signed. If ICFAI recieves any mail regarding to students problems caused by them then they respond, Why do they respond for your foolish questions like test centre is full, i want to discontinue, e.t.c.,
Better get enrolled with the students of ICFAI who will be working from ICFAI Business School, they provide you all kinds of genuine information because they are not sales men who will be working for some bugs, they work to get on field experience and gain some practical knowledge. You can contact me on my e-mail id for contacting one of those students contact details because i cannot publish hare his details.Any queries he clarifies very well and gives correct information for new joinees.
I am delighted with ICFAI Business school students services to ICFAI customers, Thats Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contact me at p_sirish@yahoo.in

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Mayuri Bid said...

This was an enlightening bit of information.

I was contemplating to join this institute... but after reading this .. i wont...

sateesh bandi said...

Hi Thushar,

Could you please tell me, which is the best institue for distance learning (MBA)?? After reading your blog, i could not consider ICFAI at all. Now i am thinking of Manipal, how would it be?

sateesh

sateesh bandi said...

Hi Thushar,

Could you please tell me, which is the best institue for distance learning (MBA)?? After reading your blog, i could not consider ICFAI at all. Now i am thinking of Manipal, how would it be?

sateesh

Abhijit said...

I think being good professional we should find out some way to get compensated for our money and time we lost during this time period.

I am Engineering graduate and working as manger with US MNC also had PMP certification still I am not able to cross these Exam due to structure.

There must be some way legally to file case against institution. For this we to form a group and need to approach lawyer

Writing blog and comments will help us to get integrated so contact as many as possible get their written consent letter and we can approach to court for petition against ICFAI

.

jeffreyangley said...

Nice post.Distance learning program is more helpful for them who does not attend regular classes and could not pay enough money.
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