CGC University Mohali Unveils MBA Plus: A Mentor-Driven Leadership Programme
CGC University Mohali has officially launched MBA Plus, an innovative, industry-integrated, and mentor-driven leadership programme designed to transform postgraduate management education. This initiative incorporates sustained corporate mentorship and deep enterprise engagement, moving beyond traditional classroom learning to create a dynamic interface between academia and the corporate world.
Programme Launch and Leadership Insights
The programme was unveiled at a ceremony held at Pride Plaza Hotel, Aerocity, attended by senior industry leaders who will serve as mentors under its structured leadership framework. The event was led by Founder-Chancellor Sardar Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, Managing Director Arsh Dhaliwal, Executive Vice-President Dr Sushil Prashar, and HR Success Talk CEO Govind Negi, whose organisation is the industry collaboration partner. This gathering marked the beginning of a mentor-led academic framework aimed at bringing boardroom insights, enterprise challenges, and leadership thinking directly into the MBA learning journey.
Mentorship-Driven Learning Framework
MBA Plus has been conceptualised to transcend conventional boundaries by fostering continuous interaction between academia and industry. Each semester, one industry leader mentors a cohort of 15 students, ensuring close engagement and meaningful guidance. Over the two-year programme, every student will be mentored by four different industry leaders, gaining diverse perspectives from various corporate sectors.
Core Components of MBA Plus
At the heart of the programme is the Executive Mentorship Council, where students are introduced to senior industry mentors each semester. These mentors guide small cohorts through boardroom discussions, strategic simulations, and live case analyses. Complementing this is Live Enterprise Interaction, where students tackle real business challenges, including strategy formulation, technology transformation, market expansion, financial analysis, and operational optimisation.
The programme also features an Applied Case and Decision Laboratory, enabling students to sharpen their judgement and decision-making abilities through contemporary business simulations, negotiation exercises, and strategy formulation in time-sensitive scenarios. Additionally, MBA Plus includes long-duration internships, consulting assignments, and sponsored industry projects, ensuring students remain closely connected with corporate realities even before graduation.
Emphasis on Industry-Academia Collaboration
During the unveiling ceremony, Sardar Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal highlighted the evolving role of higher education in preparing young professionals for complex organisational environments. He emphasised that meaningful education must cultivate thoughtful leadership and informed decision-making, with initiatives like MBA Plus allowing students to learn directly from accomplished professionals.
Arsh Dhaliwal noted that modern management education must provide a clear view of organisational operations and leadership decision-making. He explained that MBA Plus is designed to foster structured dialogue between experienced practitioners and emerging managers, helping students understand business realities within an academic setting.
Dr Sushil Prashar stated that the programme represents a thoughtful integration of academic learning and practical insight, with regular mentor engagement helping students develop perspective, judgement, and professional confidence. Govind Negi underscored the importance of sustained industry participation in shaping capable management professionals, aiming to create meaningful mentorship opportunities where corporate leaders share practical knowledge from real organisational contexts.
Focus on Industry Exposure and Leadership Development
The presence of industry mentors at the launch reflects the programme's emphasis on meaningful professional engagement. These leaders will guide students through mentoring circles, enterprise discussions, and strategic problem-solving exercises, fostering a continuous exchange between the university and the corporate sector. With MBA Plus, CGC University Mohali aims to strengthen its academic ecosystem by integrating industry engagement into management education, preparing students for leadership roles through a blend of academic learning and practical exposure.
