Director Dr. Sandip Sane is transforming the PGDM program at IBMR with an industry-focused approach, integrating live projects, internships, and certifications. Under his leadership, ASM IBMR boasts a 99% placement rate.

Dr. Sandip Sane is the Director of the PGDM Program at  ASM IBMR- Institute of Business Management and Research in Pune.

Shedding light on the institution, Dr. Sane shares insights about the PGDM program he oversees, emphasizing its distinctly practical approach. According to Dr. Sandip, the core strength or USP of their PGDM program lies in its strong industry orientation. Half of the students' assessments revolve around hands-on industry experiences, including live projects, summer internships, and winter internships. The remaining half comprises traditional assessments or examinations.

Another significant USP of the program that Dr. Sandip highlights is the availability of specialized certifications. These certifications are carefully curated, ratified, and delivered directly by industry professionals. He describes this as obtaining real knowledge straight "from the horse's mouth," providing students with authentic and relevant industry insights.

Furthermore, Director Dr. Sandip Sane mentions a crucial feature of ASM IBMR’s PGDM program—the guarantee of placement. Admission into the program is intentionally rigorous, ensuring the selection of suitable candidates who can be effectively groomed for outstanding professional opportunities. This meticulous grooming process has resulted in an impressive placement record of approximately 98 to 99%.

Additionally, Dr. Sandip Sane describes various extracurricular programs integral to the PGDM experience, such as 'Insignia' and international clubs like the Young Indian Club. Through this club, students frequently interact with international peers and young entrepreneurs, organizing and managing events independently. Another significant student-run organization within the PGDM structure is the Rotaract Club, affiliated with Rotary International. Dr. Sandip highlights that Rotaract facilitates meaningful corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives led entirely by PGDM students.

The third noteworthy club Dr. Sane mentions is the Toastmasters Club, an international platform dedicated to enhancing public-speaking skills—an essential attribute for professional growth. He emphasizes that Toastmasters provides students valuable opportunities to interact with international peers, further enriching their overall educational experience.

Expressing satisfaction with all these activities, Dr. Sane states that students actively leverage these opportunities and benefit significantly from the structured offerings.

IBMR PGDM Director Dr. Sandip Sane recounts the pivotal moment when his transition from industry to academia began. He shares that he was invited by the National Insurance Academy to deliver a session on Third Party Administrators (TPAs) to an audience comprising Managing Directors, CMDs, and senior officials from various insurance companies. Initially expecting a straightforward presentation, Dr. Sandip found himself extensively questioned by these experienced executives. Although he admits there were instances where he was unsure, he candidly acknowledged his limitations, promising to follow up later with accurate responses.

After the session concluded, the CMD of United India Insurance Company approached Dr. Sandip, revealing that the intense questioning was intentional—partly because of Dr. Sandip’s young age compared to their seniority. At the time, Dr. Sandip was only in his thirties, significantly younger than his audience who were mostly in their fifties and sixties. The CMD praised Dr. Sandip for his confident handling of their rigorous queries and commended him for openly admitting when he lacked certain knowledge. Impressed, the CMD strongly recommended Dr. Sandip consider a career in academics, believing he would excel in teaching.

Following that memorable experience, Dr. Sandip was regularly invited to speak at various conferences and seminars. These interactions allowed him to engage frequently with senior industry professionals, significantly boosting his confidence and solidifying his interest in teaching. Gradually, Dr. Sandip recognized his growing passion for academics and began accepting roles as a visiting faculty at multiple management institutes.

Dr. Sandip Sane highlights one notable instance when students at an institute specifically requested him to teach Project Management—a subject outside his usual expertise—over a seasoned project director who was also a chartered accountant. Despite initial reservations, he accepted the challenge, and the students' enthusiastic feedback affirmed his effectiveness and reinforced his decision to pursue teaching further.

Dr. Sandip attributes his success in academics primarily to his unique, practical teaching style, heavily influenced by his industry background. He emphasizes that the knowledge available within the industry significantly differs from traditional classroom learning. Consequently, he adopted an interactive, practical methodology in his sessions, incorporating role-playing exercises, market surveys, and observational activities. Dr. Sandip regularly teaches subjects such as Marketing Research, Marketing Management, and Sales Management, and he emphasizes that this experiential approach aligns perfectly with ASM IBMR’s PGDM curriculum.

Dr. Sandip reflects that consistently positive student feedback solidified his conviction that academia was indeed the right professional path for him.

Dr. Sandip Sane shares deep insights into his personal background, reflecting on how his upbringing shaped his personality and professional ethos. Coming from a defense background, Dr. Sandip mentions that his father was a retired Air Force officer. Although born in Maharashtra, Dr. Sandip spent his formative years living across various parts of India.

His early childhood began in Chandigarh, followed by a stay in Meerut, and later Hyderabad, where he attended school until the fourth grade. Subsequent transfers took him to Assam for a couple of years before relocating to Nashik, where he completed his 9th, 10th, and 12th standards at Central School, Nashik.  Eventually, he moved to Pune to pursue his graduation at Fergusson College, followed by a master's degree from Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Development, IMED, Bharati Vidyapeeth.

Dr. Sandip Sane emphasizes how his experiences living and working across numerous Indian cities—including Delhi, Bangalore, Ratnagiri, and Hyderabad—shaped his identity, leading him to consider himself genuinely pan-Indian, devoid of attachment to any single place. He recounts a significant moment when he was working in Delhi, and his retired father, then based in Hyderabad, expressed a desire for him to return. Unable to reach a consensus between Delhi and Hyderabad, father and son eventually settled in Pune, a city where both found comfort and familiarity.

Reflecting further, Dr. Sandip says he considers his father the foremost inspiration in his life. He vividly recalls the disciplined lifestyle his father maintained, specifically highlighting his unwavering dedication toward his professional responsibilities. Dr. Sandip points out that his father rarely took leave from his duties unless genuinely unwell—a strict discipline enforced within defense circles, where even sickness required official reporting at the hospital. This discipline profoundly influenced Dr. Sandip’s professional approach; he admits that he, too, rarely takes leave, often feeling hesitant or even shy to mention illness.

Additionally, Dr. Sandip speaks of influential mentors he encountered during his corporate experience. One of his managers taught him a crucial leadership principle—that 99% of tasks could be accomplished through politeness and friendly interactions. Resorting to force, according to this mentor, was indicative of a managerial failure. Dr. Sandip absorbed this lesson deeply and applied it consistently throughout his career. Even though he usually managed small teams, he succeeded in maximizing their output through positive encouragement rather than force.

On a personal and inspirational note, Dr. Sandip shares his fondness for the motivational song by Kishore Kumar, "Ruk Jaana Nahi Tu Kabhi Haar Ke," which he frequently listens to and occasionally sings himself. He describes this song as a powerful motivator, suitable for anyone beginning their career, dealing with struggles, or facing mid-career challenges. Dr. Sandip candidly acknowledges that professional life rarely follows a continuous upward trajectory; setbacks are inevitable. During challenging times, this song consistently provided him comfort and encouragement.

Revealing his spiritual side, Dr. Sandip Sane mentions a recent experience to the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj and to the holy city of Kashi, where he acquired significant spiritual literature, including the Vedas and texts on Kriya Yoga. Though he admits he hasn’t fully explored these texts yet, he finds inspiration in spirituality and intends to delve deeper whenever possible.

Finally, Dr. Sandip acknowledges that his corporate path was not always smooth, underscoring the importance of resilience and continuous motivation derived from both spiritual and personal inspirations.

Dr. Sandip Sane candidly shares a phase in his life marked by uncertainty, acknowledging that for the initial four to five years of his professional life, he was completely unsure about his future. He recalls experiencing intense self-doubt, even questioning whether he was worthy enough to be recruited by any reputable organization. Despite those challenging emotions, Dr. Sandip persevered through this period of uncertainty.

Reflecting further, Dr. Sandip describes one of his life's most significant professional hurdles, which occurred around the time he planned to marry. At that point, Dr. Sandip was working as a Branch Manager in a Finance company. He explains how a sudden regulatory shift by the Indian government threatened the stability of finance companies nationwide. New regulations mandated that all finance companies comply either with SEBI or RBI guidelines, which led to widespread uncertainty in the sector.

Amidst the turmoil, Dr. Sane worried about potentially losing his job and even considered postponing his marriage. He shared his concerns with his father, who calmly reassured him, saying how long it would realistically take Dr. Sane to secure another job even if the worst-case scenario unfolded? This reassurance provided Dr. Sandip with confidence to proceed with his marriage plans. Interestingly, despite the turbulent environment, Dr. Sandip continued working without disruption, successfully overcoming the significant challenge.

The next major challenge emerged when Dr. Sane decided to transition from the corporate sector into academia. Coming from an industry background, he was fully aware of the significant reduction in salary packages often faced by professionals making such transitions. Still, he made the bold decision to shift to academia, accepting the reality of an approximate 50% reduction in compensation. However, Dr. Sane's conviction in his choice was unwavering. He was certain he could rebuild his earning potential within a few years, even within the academic sector—and indeed, he achieved precisely that. Shortly after joining academia, he quickly began regaining financial stability, reaffirming that his decision was right.

Dr. Sane highlights that after moving into academics, his unique combination of practical industry insights and innovative teaching techniques enabled him to quickly bridge the initial salary gap. His institution promptly recognized his academic contributions and rewarded him with increased compensation within months, validating his decision to switch careers. Over time, Dr. Sandip’s organization acknowledged and valued his academic leadership and distinctive teaching methodology, allowing him to advance steadily in his professional growth.

Addressing prospective PGDM students at ASM IBMR, Dr. Sandip Sane offers clear, insightful advice. He emphasizes the highly practical nature of the PGDM program, stressing that students should expect hands-on, experiential learning facilitated by senior industry managers and managing directors. According to Dr. Sandip, practical experience is the cornerstone of the PGDM curriculum at ASM IBMR, complemented by rigorous theoretical training designed explicitly to support real-world applications.

Moreover, Dr. Sandip underscores the importance of soft skills development through participation in various international clubs available at ASM IBMR. These clubs, led entirely by students, provide invaluable opportunities to gain practical experience in leadership, teamwork, and organizational management. Dr. Sandip emphasizes that the faculty consists of industry veterans, ensuring an education rooted firmly in professional realities.

Finally, Dr. Sandip Sane describes the PGDM community at ASM IBMR as ambitious and assertive, highlighting the aggressive yet highly constructive culture that shapes students. He urges students who have ambition, proactiveness, and a willingness to take risks to join the program, promising that ASM IBMR will equip them with a robust blend of theoretical knowledge and intensive practical exposure, preparing them effectively for a dynamic career in management.