Buzzing about a B-school
OF LATE, management education in the country has come into sharp focus. It is verily being put through an inquisition far more rigorous than the Spanish variety! Even as the recent controversy about the IIMs' fee structure rages on, the institutes' charm and appeal for aspiring students remains undimmed.
The IIMs remain the top B-schools in the country. And why indeed not? The education provided in most of the IIMs is world class, and it is said that its far more difficult to get admission into an IIM than it is to that Mecca of business education, the Harvard Business School. Among the crème de la crème of the IIMs, the ones at, Bangalore, Calcutta and Ahmedabad form the golden layer.
Graduates from these hallowed schools don't make it. They tend to outdo almost every other candidate from every other b-school! This isn't surprising since they have an intellectually stimulating and vibrant atmosphere, an active socio-cultural scene, and thought provoking seminars happening 365 days of the year.
Campus cues
At an IIM campus, what first strikes one are the acres and acres of green space and purpose designed buildings that seem to blend seamlessly with the verdant surroundings.
Therefore, its not surprising to know that most IIMs follow the motto that education is not just related to the mass production of management professionals but is aimed at nurturing, honing and developing the skills of the individual to create a global manager par excellence. Typically, the environs are created such that the statement becomes a factual premise rather than mere verbal iteration.
Entry to these institutions is through a test, (The CAT or Common Admission Test) which is usually held in November-December every year. And an unbelievable number of aspirants take the test and only a score of 1400 and above can expect to qualify! Indeed it is surprising that the word `common' is used since it is neither common and nor is it a mere `test'.
The Big Three are the favoured ones for those heroes who qualify and an overview of them would help the lay aspirant to understand why!
IIM Ahmedabad
Eminent scholors, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Kasturbhai Lalbhai were instrumental in starting IIM Ahmedabad, with support from the Government of Gujarat. A decentralised body, IIM (A) is a registered society run by the Board of Governors comprising the faculty, society members, and representatives of the Governments of India and Gujarat.
And being arguably the foremost among the IIMs, it has a mission to match - to bring Indian management education and practice on par with international standards. There are people who claim that this lofty aim has long been surpassed! The uniqueness of IIM (A) lies in their collaboration with Harvard Business School and the hallmarked case methodology style of teaching.
What's special at IIM (A)? There's even a popular belief that on-campus students tend to become so loyal that the order of priority goes thus - the dorm, your dog, your family and your friends! On a more serious note however, the courses offered at the Ahmedabad campus (as well as the other IIMs) are comparable with the best in the world.
The IIMs follow a typical academic structure, schedule and programme design. In that sense, you have four programmes to choose from at IIM (A). Three of these programmes are teaching programmes while one is a refresher programme aimed at the mid-top level management professional. The faculty too is drawn from diverse disciplines and keep themselves updated through constant research and on-going consultancy activities.
The academic programmes include the Postgraduate Programme in Management (PGPM), Fellow Programme in Management, the Faculty Development Programme, and the Management Development Programme.
Getting in - Foreign students (including those of Indian origin) seeking admission into the IIM (A) must have a valid GMAT score. Indian students residing abroad need to conform to the `overseas candidates' category. This especially stands true for the PGPM programme. The fee for the overseas candidate is US $ 11,000. This is just inclusive of the tuition, course material, and board and lodging. It is mandatory however for the student to pay for his own personal PC and printer. Scholarships are awarded to foreign students as well.
IIM Bangalore
The cool and green surroundings of south Bangalore are home to the IIM there. The IIM (B) campus is nestled in 100 acres of undulating woods and relaxing gardens. What began in the suburbs of the industrial belt of Bangalore in 1973, IIM (B) today proves to be an excellent location. With good infrastructure available, and being close to various business and corporate houses, the institute has an advantage that very few similar institutes can boast.
Typically, the range of educational and academic curricula offered at IIM (B) includes various modes of postgraduate education such as PGP and PGSM, doctoral studies, and executive programs. However, this IIM too is not without its brand of a rarefied intellectual atmosphere. Of note is Anveshan, a programme aimed at encouraging innovation and creativity.
The PGP - is a two-year programme in management aimed at honing the skills of management professionals planning to carve a niche for themselves in the global arena. Around 180 students are admitted and the teaching methodology adopted is functional with students being divided into work groups and teams. Its six-trimester programme includes a summer project.
The International Students Exchange Network is a popular programme and one fourth of every batch gets an opportunity to spend time at a partner institute abroad.
The PGSM - or the Postgraduate Programme in Software Enterprise Management is specially designed to aid Indian software professionals in their quest to find the right balance in the Indian software industry. Started under the aegis of the Centre for Software Management (CSM), this particular programme also leads to a diploma in the same subject. The programme can be completed in 2 years while still being employed.
The course curriculum has been developed on the basis of ten broad topics, with core courses modelled in each topic. These form the mandatory aspect of the course, while there are other electives from which the student can choose. A 3-credit individual project is necessary to gain domain expertise. To support this they can also opt for a 3-credit project course.
The Fellow programme is broadly recognised by the Association of Indian Universities as a doctoral level course.
IIM Calcutta
Like its counterparts, IIM(C) too boasts of illustrious beginnings. Its establishment was the result of the collaboration between Alfred P Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, The Ford Foundation and the Indian industry.
Apart from the typical programmes offered (teaching, postgraduate and doctoral), the institute offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer-Aided Management (PGDCM), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM). The educational experience at IIM(C) is a wholesome process involving other supporting activities in the form of management development programmes, seminars, research and consultancy, international conferences, workshops and publications.
A 135-acre campus, several picturesque lakes, wonderful arbours, stately avenues with a 70-member faculty, an intellectually and culturally stimulating ambience, an active placement cell, a motivated and thriving student community, all complete the circle of life at the campus.
SAMYUKTA KODA
samyukta.hyd@cnkonline.com
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