Campusvani: This college in Mumbai is the first in Maharashtra to offer a Bachelor of Luxury Brand and Retail Management programme.
The Bachelor of Luxury Brand and Retail Management program was started by Dhaval Gandhi, a 2002 college graduate who currently owns a prosperous coaching center.
The Bachelor of Luxury Brand and Retail Management (LBRM) programme has been introduced by Mumbai’s Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics for the first time in Maharashtra. The purpose of this undergraduate degree programme is to meet the needs of India’s growing luxury market. For the academic year 2024–2025, admissions are now being accepted.
Homi Bhabha State University (HBSU), one of the city’s first cluster universities, offers the LBRM course. It was formed by combining four government-run colleges, including Sydenham College.
The course offers specializations in a variety of luxury industries, including jewelry and gems, clothing and fashion, wellness and beauty, and more. Students who passed their Class XII exams can apply to this course, but they will need to go through an entrance process that consists of interviews and tests in order to be admitted.
This is one of the college’s initial academic initiatives following its separation from Mumbai University. “The idea is to offer industry related courses in order to increase employability of our students,” said Dr. Shrinivas Dhure, the college’s principal.
“This was conveniently possible because we are now a part of a separate university, which is more effective because there are fewer colleges to govern,” Dhure continued. The academic freedom allows us to provide such a special course. The course is already seeing a high demand.”
According to Dhure, there were initially 30 seats available for the course, but due to high demand, 15 more seats were added during the admissions process. An official from the college verified acceptances from candidates all around the nation.
The LBRM course originated from an initiative by Dhaval Gandhi, a 2002 college graduate who currently owns a prosperous coaching center. Gandhi chose to offer his knowledge to his college and co-found The School of Luxury Retail Management at Sydenham College because he wanted to return to his alma mater in a special way as an academic.
The course has additional areas made possible by donations from alumni as well as a contemporary classroom. According to Gandhi, a number of prominent figures from the luxury brand world teach the course, providing master classes and excellent industry exposure for the students.
Gandhi is also connected to the school as the principal mentor who supervises how it runs. Giving financial support to one’s alma mater is one thing, but given my background in academia, I wanted to go above and beyond and give the students in Mumbai a special opportunity,” he stated. India’s luxury market is expanding, but the country lacks skilled labor to support this growing industry. Currently, students have to depend on such niche courses offered abroad.”
