Turn Words into Workflows: How to Talk to AI and Get Results Are you finding that your Generative AI tools and chatbots aren’t consistently giving you the high-quality, targeted results you expect? If so, the secret isn’t in the tool itself, but in the instructions you provide. The quality of an AI’s output is completely dependent on the quality of your prompt. As someone who has worked extensively in data science and Gen AI, I can tell you that Prompt Engineering is the critical first step to communicating effectively with AI and unlocking massive productivity gains. The Art and Science of Crafting Effective Instructions What exactly is a prompt? It’s simply the input or instruction we send to the Large Language Model (LLM). If you pass in confusing or ambiguous instructions, the LLM will give you a confused or sub-par output. Prompt engineering is the art and science of refining these instructions, so the LLM clearly understands your intent and delivers the meaningful, high-quality results you desire. It’s important to remember that prompt engineering is an iterative process. No prompt is perfect on the first try. You must craft it, analyze the output, and then rewrite the prompt to refine your result. I often take a simple example to show the difference between poor and good prompting. If I just write, “write a professional email”, that’s generic. The model doesn’t know the role, the context, or the objective. A much better, target-oriented prompt is to specify the role: “Act as a sales manager, write a concise email to client, introducing our new AI services“. By setting the role, we ensure the output is exactly what we expect. AI replicates our clarity, not its intelligence. Continue reading: Essential AI Tools to Boost Your BCA & MCA Learning Journey Effective Prompt Engineering Techniques When crafting your prompts, you should consider these core elements to make your instructions more effective: Goal: Summarize customer feedback data to identify top issues. ElementDescriptionExamplesInstructionThis is the core task: what you want the model to do.Analyze the customer feedback and summarize the top 3 complaintsTranslate the language into SpanishPersonaThis sets the role or expertise the model should adopt. This is crucial for getting domain-specific context and the right tone.You are the AI engineerYou are the Python expertYou are the sentiment analystContextProvide all relevant background information. In a chatbot, this might be the past conversation history.The feedback is collected from an e-commerce platform’s last 3 months of reviews of electronic products.Few-Shot PromptingYou can pass a few examples like an input and its desired output so the model can understand the tone and format you expect, and mimic it accordingly.Input: Battery drains quickly, poor customer support, slow charging.Output: Battery issues and support responsiveness are the top concerns.Input DataThe data you want the model to process. This is optional.Customer feedback, document text, logs, etcOutput Format/ IndicatorClearly specify the format you want your output to be in.Output in the JSON formatOutput in the list formatOutput should be in bullet points An Example of a Complete Prompt: You are a professional Customer Experience Analyst skilled in identifying trends and insights from customer feedback.Analyze the following feedback and summarize the top 3 recurring complaints.The feedback is from an e-commerce platform’s reviews for electronic products. Input: [“The sound quality is great, but battery life is poor.”, “Delivery was late.”, “Customer support didn’t respond.”, “Battery drains fast even on standby.”] Output Format: Bullet points summarizing top 3 complaints. I always follow a prompt design framework called the CRISP Model where, C – Context: Provide background info R – Role: Assign AI a role I – Instruction: Give clear, specific commands S – Style: Define tone or format P – Parameters: Add constraints Advanced Techniques for AI Communication Once you master the basic elements, you can explore powerful techniques to solve more complex, reasoning-related problems. Another interesting read: OpenAI’s study mode and Gemini student plan Few-Shot Prompting: As mentioned above, using one or more examples to guide the model’s response. Chain of Thought (CoT): A very powerful technique where you instruct the model to break down the solution into reasoning steps. ReAct Prompting: An advanced method that involves both reasoning and action, allowing the model to make decisions. Tree of Thoughts: An advancement of the Chain of Thought concept. Best AI Tools for Prompt Engineering Prompt engineering is the foundation for using any AI tool, because most tools are backed by LLM models. We can use AI to boost our productivity in many areas. Chatbots: ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek, Gemini, Grok, Meta AI, MS Copilot, Perplexity Image: Adobe Firefly, DALL-E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, FLUX.1, Ideogram,Recraft Video: Descript, Haiper AI, Runway, Sora, Luma AI, Pika AI, Krea AI Presentation: Beautiful.Ai, Gamma, Pitch, Plus, PopAI, Presentation.Ai, Slidesgo, Tome Coding Assistance: Askcodi, Codiga, Cursor, GitHun Copilot, Qodo, Replit, Tabnine Email Assistance: Clippit.Ai, Friday, Mailmaestro, Shortwave, Superhuman Writing Generation: Copy.Ai, Grammerly, Jasper, JotBot, writesonic, Sudowrite Graphic Design: AutoDraw, Canva, Design,com, Framer, Mirosoft Designer Data Visualization: Deckpilot, Flourish, Julius, Visme, Zing Data Find out the Fastest Growing AI Job Skills in 2025 However, my most important advice is this: Do not completely rely on the tools. I have seen mistakes where people just copy-paste generated reports or references that are wrong. Instead of just copying and pasting the prompts or the output, you must understand the goal and ensure you are passing the correct elements (instruction, persona, context) to get the right output. Always read the generated output at least once and never depend on these systems entirely. If you want to truly master the underlying technology behind Prompt Engineering, the Large Language Models, deep learning concepts, and the rigorous principles of data analysis, consider enrolling in MSc Data Science program provided by MAHE Online. My own work and background in data science, machine learning, and Gen AI have shown me that a strong foundation in these areas is what allows you to build, utilize, and communicate with AI systems most effectively. Happy Learning!
BBA Course Syllabus (2025–26): All Semester Subjects List in India A Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), as it is commonly known, is a credible and globally recognised undergraduate degree program. The course is designed to provide foundational knowledge to interested students in business administration and management. The Bachelor’s degree is offered at many Indian universities, typically over 3 years. The various Bachelor of Business Administration subjects include Financial Accounting, Community Development, Marketing Management, E-Commerce, International Business Management, and Strategic Management, among others. The syllabus is carefully curated to be career-oriented, equipping students with the necessary industry-relevant skills. We take a closer look at the various BBA course subjects in this blog, spanning all 6 semesters of the 3-year program. This would help you gain a better understanding of the course and make an informed decision for your future career path. Check out Read: Why BBA? Top reasons to choose BBA BBA 1st Year Syllabus (Sem 1 & 2 Subjects) The first year of the BBA degree subjects provides a solid foundation in core business principles. More emphasis is placed on imparting essential skills in communication, management, economics, and accounting, among others. The idea is to introduce the core concepts to the students, which will be expanded on later in the second year of the BBA program. BBA 1st Year Course Overview & Structure 1st Year Key BBA Subjects: Some of the core BBA 1st year subjects include Financial Accounting, Macroeconomics, Business and Corporate Laws, E-Commerce, Fundamentals of Business Analytics, and Strategic Management. Learning Objectives: The first year of the BBA degree program provides a fundamental understanding of key business principles and develops managerial skills among students to support future growth and advancement. Skills Learned By Students: Fundamentals of Marketing, Critical Thinking and Analysis, Adaptability, Problem-Solving Ability, Effective Communication, and Financial Literacy, among others. BBA 1st & 2nd Semester Subjects The first year BBA syllabus is divided into two semesters. A total of 13 subjects are covered across the two semesters. The BBA subjects list for the 1st year is tabulated below for your reference. SemestersSubjects1st Semester Business and Management FunctionsFinancial AccountingMicroeconomicsEntrepreneurship and Innovation ManagementUniversal Human ValuesOffice Automation Tools2nd SemesterMacroeconomicsFinancial ManagementOrganizational BehaviorCommunity DevelopmentIntroduction to PythonStatistics for ManagersBusiness Communication BBA 2nd Year Syllabus (Sem 3 & 4 Subjects) The second year of the BBA degree program includes a variety of core subjects designed to impart knowledge of core business concepts such as Finance, HR, Marketing, and the like. The complete BBA course subjects list for the second year is shared ahead. BBA 2nd Year Course Overview & Structure BBA 2nd Year Core Subjects: Operations Management, Cost & Management Accounting, Business and Corporate Laws, Business Environment, Indian Financial System, E-Commerce, among many more. Learning Objectives: Helping students acquire a deeper understanding of core business concepts as well as enhancing their problem-solving and analytical abilities. Skills Learned by Students: HRM, Business Laws and Ethics, Effective Communication, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Leadership, Teamwork, and many more academic and soft skills are taught as part of the second year BBA program. BBA 3rd & 4th Semester Subjects A total of 14 subjects are covered in the 3rd and 4th semesters of the BBA degree program, which together comprise the 2nd year. The table below lists some of the BBA general subjects covered in semesters 3 and 4 of Year 2 of the BBA: SemestersSubjects3rd SemesterOperations ManagementHuman Resource ManagementMarketing ManagementCost & Management AccountingInterview Skills and EtiquetteBusiness and Corporate LawsBusiness Environment4th SemesterIndian Financial SystemBusiness Research MethodsSupply Chain ManagementE-CommerceDesign Thinking (MLC)Environmental ScienceTechnology Management BBA 3rd Year Syllabus (Sem 5 & 6 Subjects) The third and final year of a BBA program focuses on advanced topics, providing students with an in-depth understanding of the subject and enabling them to acquire expertise. The third year is divided into 2 semesters – 5 and 6. Both semesters cover a combination of core Bachelor of Business Administration subjects and electives or specializations. BBA 3rd Year Course Overview & Structure Core BBA Course Subjects in 3rd Year: Fundamentals of Business Analytics, International Business Management, Strategic Management, Management Information System, and Project. Specializations Offered: HRM, Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Entrepreneurship Management & Family Business, Data Analytics, Retail and E-Commerce, and Digital Marketing. Learning Objectives: The aim is to teach students to apply core business principles in top managerial roles and to prepare them to be future-ready. Skills Learned by Students: Marketing, Business Analysis, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Entrepreneurship, and many more. Internships and Projects: Popular internships for BBA 3rd-year students are primarily in Finance, Marketing, HR, and related areas. Projects allow students to gain deeper insights into the current and future market trends. BBA 5th & 6th Semester Subjects Third-year BBA course subjects include a mix of core and elective courses. The complete list is shared in the table below: Core Subjects SemestersCore Subjects5th SemesterFundamentals of Business AnalyticsInternational Business Management6th SemesterStrategic ManagementManagement Information SystemProject Elective Subjects SemestersElective Subjects/Specializations5th & 6th SemesterHRMMarketing Finance & AccountingEntrepreneurship Management & Family BusinessData AnalyticsRetail & E-CommerceDigital Marketing Online BBA Specializations with Key Subjects The third year of the online BBA degree program offered on the Online Manipal platform comprises seven specializations or elective subjects. Manipal University Jaipur offers this program to aspiring learners, allowing them to choose an elective aligned with their academic and career aspirations. The table below lists all seven specializations covered in the Online BBA program and their respective key subjects.Please note: The core subjects in semesters 5 and 6, listed in the table earlier, remain the same across all specializations of an Online BBA program. BBA SpecializationsSemesterKey Subjects CoveredBBA in Marketing 5International MarketingConsumer BehaviorDigital Marketing6Sales & Distribution ManagementAdvertising ManagementGreen MarketingBBA in Finance & Accounting5Financial Statement Analysis and ReportingSecurity Analysis and Portfolio ManagementPersonal Financial Planning6Mergers and AcquisitionsInvestment Banking & Financial ServicesCorporate AccountingBBA in Human Resource Management5Industrial Relations & Labor LawsCompensation ManagementHuman Resource Planning & Development6International Human Resource ManagementTalent Management and Employee RetentionHR Audit and Capital ManagementBBA in entrepreneurship Management & Family Business5Psychological Aspects of EntrepreneursGrowing the Family Business in the Global EnvironmentSocial Entrepreneurship6Marketing for StartupsEntrepreneurship & Industry 4.0/5.0/6.0 Scaling Excellence through Innovation & IncubationBBA in Data Analytics5Database Management SystemDigital MarketingBusiness Analytics for Decision-Making6Social Media and Web AnalyticsData Mining and WarehousingData Visualization with RBBA in Retail & E-Commerce5IT in RetailVisual MerchandisingEntrepreneurship in Retail Business6Retail Logistics ManagementDigital Marketing for Retail BusinessEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP) BBA in Digital Marketing5Introduction to Digital Media IT in BusinessEntrepreneurship and Digital Marketing6E-MarketingAdvertising and Brand ManagementNew Media and Social Media Spectrum Useful Read: Top Career Options After BBA to Pursue in 2025-26 FAQs 1. What are the main BBA course subjects taught across all semesters? Some of the core BBA subjects that are taught across all semesters of the 3-year BBA program include: Marketing Management Operations Management Organizational Behavior Financial Accounting Financial Management Business Laws These subjects are designed to help students build a foundational understanding of key business principles and concepts. 2. How many subjects are there in a BBA program in total? The exact number of subjects may vary from one institution to another. However, on average, a BBA program covers 30-35 subjects. The Online BBA degree offered by Manipal University Jaipur on the Online Manipal platform includes a total of 32 BBA subjects in addition to 7 specialization options as well. 3. BBA vs BCom: Which one to choose after 12th Science? Choose a BBA degree if you are aspiring for a career in the field of marketing, management, or entrepreneurship. This is because the degree aims to provide students with hands-on, skills-based training in these areas. However, a BCom would be more suitable for students interested in charting a career path in accounting, finance, or taxation. 4. How many subjects are there in the BBA 1st year, and what do they focus on? A total of 13 subjects are covered in the first year of a BBA program. Semester 1 of the first year covers six subjects, while Semester 2 covers 7. The prime focus of the subjects covered in the first year of BBA is to introduce students to how businesses are overall managed. Semester 1 subjects of BBA Business and Management Functions Financial Accounting Microeconomics Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Universal Human Values Office Automation Tools Semester 2 subjects of BBA Macroeconomics Financial Management Organizational Behavior Community Development Introduction to Python Statistics for Managers Business Communication 5. How are the BBA specialization subjects different from the core subjects? While the core subjects of the BBA program provide a broader perspective on key business fundamentals, specializations or elective subjects offered in Year 3 of the program help students gain expertise in a specific field of study. This further enables students to land lucrative career roles as they enhance their employability skills by opting for specializations. 6. Which are the most popular BBA specialization courses? While each university may offer its own set of specializations to students in Year 3 of the BBA program, some of the most popular ones among students are listed below: Marketing Finance & Accounting Human Resource Management Entrepreneurship Management & Family Business Data Analytics Retail & E-Commerce Digital Marketing 7. Do all universities follow the same BBA syllabus and subject list? No, every university designs its own BBA syllabus, and the list of subjects offered across the 6 semesters of the program may also vary from one institution to another. Also note that some core subjects, such as finance, marketing, and management, remain common across various universities offering BBA courses. However, the specializations may vary from one to another. 8. What is the average BBA salary in India for freshers? This may depend on a variety of factors, including course design, specialization, university for the BBA program, and more. However, for illustrative purposes, the average earning potential of a BBA graduate at the entry (fresher) level in India for a Business Analyst role, for instance, is INR 7 LPA. Note: The figure is only indicative and may vary from one organization to another for the same role. Source: Glassdoor 9. What is the BBA course duration? The exact duration of the program is likely to vary from one university to another, depending on the course curriculum and design. However, on average, most institutions offer BBA degree programs over 3 years, divided equally into 6 semesters (2 per year). 10. What is the eligibility for a BBA degree? Every institution may define its own admission criteria for a BBA program. It is best to check the exact requirements with the specific institution when applying for the course. The general eligibility criteria for the online BBA course on Online Manipal are as follows: Completion of 10+2 qualification from a recognized school at the national or state board. Completion of a 10+3 diploma from a recognized institution at the national or school level is also accepted. An aggregate score of at least 40% is required at the 10+2/diploma level. For students from reserved categories, the required score is 35%.
The Tradition of Excellence Continues: MAHE’s 2nd Online Convocation The crisp November air mirrored the electricity in the atmosphere as the MAHE Bengaluru campus prepared to celebrate its achievers. Eyes gleaming with hope for a great future, hearts filled with pride, and minds gearing up for a day full of celebrations – this is how the graduates walked through the halls to attend the 2nd Convocation of MAHE’s online learners on Nov 30th, 2025. The 2nd Convocation of MAHE Online, a part of the 33rd Convocation of MAHE, marked as more than just a ceremony for the remarkable learners; it was evidence to the quality education delivered through Online Manipal. Dreams, Determination, and Dare to Do more The morning began with graduates from across the country arriving at the MAHE campus, many for the first time. Dressed in fine clothes and suits, these graduates carried not just their aspirations with them but also the fulfilment of having conquered a rigorous academic journey whilst juggling careers, families, and countless possibilities. The registration desk saw a stream of smiling faces – some nervous, some confident, but mostly, deeply content. Graduates introduced their families to the faculty who had guided them through their academic journey, the peers who had supported them in group projects, and explored the campus that had been their digital home for the past two years. The Grand Ceremony and Words of Wisdom The cacophony of the graduates’ excitement clearly set the ambience. The ceremony kicked off with the welcoming of the chief guest and academic dignitaries whose presence added prestige to an already momentous event. Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE declared the convocation open, followed by a warm welcome address by Dr Madhu Veeraraghavan, Pro Vice Chancellor (Management, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences), MAHE, where he congratulated all the graduates for their remarkable achievements recognizing their efforts. “Dear graduates, it is a great honour for me to stand before you today. Our Directorate of Online Education (DOE) has more than 13,400 students from 55 countries, literally representing all the continents. Our DOE also collaborates with leading corporations to deliver customised online certifications, upskilling and reskilling micro-credential programs empowering working professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving world,” said and Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, presenting a comprehensive overview of MAHE and its long-held legacy. The Chief Guest, Ms. Paroma Chatterjee, CEO, Revolut India, shared insights from his/her journey wishing the students for lifelong success remarking, “Building a legacy requires continuous learning. Deep cultural emotion has been one of my most important takeaways. Truly embrace personal responsibility, keep your energy high through every up and down, and remember that consistency is the most resounding message I want to leave with all of you today.” Mr Ambrish Sinha, Chief Executive Officer, UNext Learning, spoke about the significance of the event: “To all the graduates here today, you are the future. You are graduating at a time when India’s industries are transforming at lightning speed. Our healthcare system is expanding, our digital economy is accelerating, and our supply chains are going global. The world needs leaders who can think across data, strategy, technology, and people. And you represent exactly that kind of talent. And if there is one thing your journey has proven, it is this: you are ready for what comes next. Congratulations again.” The dignitaries’ words painted a picture of possibility, reminding the graduates that the milestone achieved was both a culmination and a fresh beginning. The ceremony also saw the presence of other senior leadership including Dr Vinod V Thomas, Registrar, Evaluation, MAHE, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao K, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, Dr Dilip G Naik, Pro Vice Chancellor (MAHE Mangalore Campus), Dr P Giridhar Kini, Registrar, MAHE, Dr Narayana Sabhahit, Pro Vice Chancellor (Technology & Science), Dr Manojkumar Nagasampige, Director, DOE, MAHE and along with other distinguished dignitaries and Heads of Institutions. Strength in Numbers & Stories Behind Each Journey This year’s convocation saw the presence of 1380 graduates receiving their degrees across programs including MBA, MSc Data Science, MSc Business Analytics, and Postgraduate Certificate Programme (PGCP) in Business Analytics, and PGCP in Logistics & Supply Chain Management. These graduates represented 24 states and 4 Union Territories in India, and 21 countries across the globe. What made the convocation truly remarkable was the diverse set of graduates spanning from young professionals to mid-career achievers shaping their destinies, daring to dream more. The event was made more prominent not just by the scale of participation, but the richness of the stories behind each learners’ smiles: the young professionals eager to accelerate their careers, mid-career achievers committed to reinvention, and all other individuals who took up the challenge to redo, no matter their starting point. Moments That Mattered As the ceremony unfolded, it struck core memories that will be remembered long after the applause faded. As each name was called out, graduates stepped forward with poise as the degrees were handed out, followed by a firm handshake. Beyond the degree conferring ceremony, the day continued to be filled with warmth and connection. Classmates meeting for the first time, photographs freezing moments of triumph – for some, the day marked the fulfilment of a long-aspired future, for others, it was a reminder that learning has no boundaries, but for all, it was the proof of courage, determination, and discipline. A Legacy that Inspires For over 70 years, Manipal has stood as a beacon of educational excellence. From its humble beginnings to its status today as a world-class academic ecosystem, the Manipal legacy has been defined by its ability to evolve with the times while staying rooted in its core values. Online Manipal is an extension of this legacy, bringing the university’s academic rigor, faculty expertise, and learner-first philosophy to digital classrooms across the world. The 2nd online convocation is a witness to this evolution, bridging tradition with modernity and proving that the Manipal spirit thrives in every format, every medium, and every learner who chooses to grow with us. Congratulations and Welcome to The MAHE Family Dear Graduates, This moment is truly yours. You embraced change, persevered through the toughest of challenges, and showed an extraordinary dedication to your goals. Your journey reflects academic merit, adaptability, and a deep hunger for personal and professional growth. You leave with knowledge, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose and we couldn’t be prouder. As you step forward into new opportunities, you join a distinguished global network of more than 3L+ Manipal alumni: leaders, innovators, creators, and changemakers shaping industries and communities worldwide. This family is now yours, and it will accompany you throughout your journey. We celebrate your achievements, honour your determination, and look forward to the remarkable futures you will build. Cheers to new beginnings, bold ambitions, and the limitless possibilities ahead.
