PRME Partner Interviews: Jashandeep Singh

Interview with Jashandeep Singh, Professor in Marketing, Chitkara Business School, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.

1. How does your school work with Responsible Management Education (RME)?
   At Chitkara Business School (CBS), Responsible Management Education (RME) is integrated into curriculum, experiential learning, research, community engagement and institutional practices. As a member of the PRME community, CBS focuses on developing graduates who understand the social, ethical and environmental dimensions of business decisions. 

   RME is reflected through courses and learning experiences addressing sustainability, ethics, social entrepreneurship, ESG and responsible business practices. CBS also promotes responsible management through social entrepreneurship and community-based learning, encouraging students to identify societal challenges and develop solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. These academic experiences are complemented by sustainability initiatives across the Chitkara University campus, allowing students to observe responsible practices in their own institutional environment. 

   Through this combination of what students learn, what they experience and what they observe, CBS seeks to develop managers who can create economic value while recognising their responsibilities towards society and the environment.

2. What initiatives or practices have been particularly effective?
   One of the most effective practices at Chitkara Business School has been the use of experiential learning to translate responsible management concepts into real-world action. A strong example is Chitkara Mandi, a student-driven field project that has been part of CBS's pedagogy since 2011. 

   In Chitkara Mandi, students work with NGOs to source products, develop their own marketing ventures, establish stalls and engage directly with customers. They take responsibility for different managerial functions and apply concepts such as marketing, selling, supply chain management, communication, negotiation and financial analysis in a real marketplace. The initiative also creates a platform for NGOs and community organisations to reach wider markets, with funds generated supporting their activities. What makes Chitkara Mandi particularly effective from an RME perspective is the integration of business learning with social responsibility. Students are not simply taught about responsible business; they experience the challenges of creating economic and social value simultaneously.

3. What advice would you give to other schools seeking to strengthen their work with RME?
   Start small, connect widely, and learn together. Responsible Management Education becomes meaningful when it moves beyond individual classrooms and becomes a shared commitment across faculty, students, staff, industry and the wider community. Find the people who care, listen to their ideas, give them space to experiment, and celebrate their contributions. Senior leadership support provides direction, but genuine change grows through collective ownership.

   Most importantly, do not try to build the journey alone. Share your experiences, learn from others, collaborate across institutions and remain open to new perspectives. The challenges we face are shared, and so should be our learning and our solutions. We see RME as a continuing journey; one where partnership, empathy and a willingness to learn from one another can multiply our collective impact.