Student's corner

BEST RESPONSE 

Despite being the initiative of IIM Indore, integrated programme is not the best strategic fit in the overall context of management education in India. The system which already lags in experienced and enriching peer learning unlike B-schools abroad, is pushed to have people with no first hand industry experience and non-engineers through this program. It would be a success when it comes to filling the pockets of administrators of a programme which has been the USP of providing MBA degree in shorter time. But it wouldn't be a success for industry as it defeats their expectations of quality delivered by IIMs. 

- Varun Saxena, National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai

OTHER RESPONSES

There is a need for higher education system which is outside the excessive control of regulators. In India, regulators don't regulate, they control. However, such integrated education programme would be broad in its approach. In fact, there is a need to get out of the thinking that undergraduate is a terminal degree and is meant to create a specialist out of you. Other universities should take a cue for IIM Indore and follow such approach. Such an arrangement would only encourage people to offer programs which sell not because they have a stamp of AICTE, but because industry and society at large values it for its quality. 

- A Bhuvana Bhimaiah, Alagappa University, Bangalore 

It's believed that a nation's ability to influence the younger students is much greater if we start early. This integrated course, by no means, is worse than the two phases of courses pursued by a management student. Instead it's an innovative move which will encourage students to look up to better careers right after school and also laying down a foundation for other management colleges to follow. Plus, the basket of subjects proposed to be taught by IIM Indore is very elaborate, which is supposed to add better value to students right from undergraduate level. 

- Ridim Agarwal, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Ahmedabad 

An MBA program has become the most sought after course post completion of a B Tech degree; which is poles apart in course contents from management. Hence, the above step by IIM Indore will channelise the students toward the proper managerial skills right from the beginning of their career. On the other hand it also comes with ample responsibilities. For instance, dedicated approach for proper internship in industries, and adopting nitty-gritties of business tactics should be imbibed by takers of such courses. This step would definitely add feather to the laurels of this coveted institute and soon other IIMs may follow this trend. 

- Dipika Sahoo, College of Engineering And Technology, Bhubaneswar 

On the outset, an integrated five year management programme would help mould and sharpen the skills of an aspiring candidate. The ability to understand market trends, proficiency in management tools deciphering factors, ample case information helping identify developments and the application of innovative tactics to tackle issues would be some of the many assets that an individual would learn and gain from this course. However, a stringent entrance examination that would judge the individuals' inclination for a career in management should be in place. The integrated course is a great way to churn our industry ready world class managers. 

- Kiran Ravi Sundaram, Welingkar Institute of Management, Bangalore 

It's great that we are changing our outlook towards management education as just another degree. The new integrated program will help future students to learn concepts and apply them while judging the consequences of the same. Such an enriched experience will guide them to become astute managers, but the same needs to be well -planned. It will require an eclectic mix of professors and industry professionals that will provide the much needed holistic approach. 

- Shreyas Goel, Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research, Mumbai 

Given the surge in demand for professionally trained management graduates in the job circles, the decision by IIM Indore to start a 5-year integrated management programme for class 12 students is a good move. This programme will help develop the right attitude and aptitude among youngsters who look forward to joining the corporate world. The fact that this course is being provided by an IIM will ensure quality curriculum and expert guidance. The brand name 'IIM' will prove an icing on the cake and, hence, will find many takers. 

- Kratika Shakya, Department of Business Economics, University of Delhi 

It’s a very risky move as the programme may lead to a shift in focus of the institute. Graduation is a different ball-game altogether. Courses offered by IIMs attract a lot of students from different graduation backgrounds and with work experience which used to create a room for experiential or peer-group learning. But students directly moving out of school may not be able to survive the ups and downs of job market without having much alternatives to fall back on. It’s like selling the brand IIMs to people who can afford it and making them stick around for 5 years. 

- S Sarath, Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) 

The programme is a fairly innovative and smart move from the IIM Indore as the new generation is highly career oriented and wish to go for an early head start. Students after 12th are in the perfect age to shape their career and IIM Indore can fuel their aspirations and produce new breed of future CEOs. The students will benefit from the experienced faculty, professionals and experts from around the globe along with IIM Indore exclusive infrastructure and extensive programme design offering general and functional management with international exposure. 

- Harsh Agrawal, Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai 

India is a young country and to gainfully utilise the demographic dividend students must be given excellent educational opportunity. IIMs being premier institute will definitely impart quality education. Students in India, who have interest in management don't find good option after 12th standard. Now with the introduction of this course students will have at least one premier institute to study management just after class 12th. The curriculum at IIMs will transpire leadership, management and communication skills, time management and at the end, create a professional with highest standard of corporate excellence. The programme also provides more time and space for enrichment activities. 

- Nilaya Mitsah Shanker, Shri Ram Swaroop Memorial College of Engineering And Management (SRMCEM), Lucknow 

Every student who wishes to enroll in the programme should do a thorough research of such courses and then risk into such an inducement. Management education is necessary but If all those students who pass out 12th standard start pursuing management educations from premier B-schools then the governing bodies of all premier engineering, arts, commerce colleges would have to think of alternative ways of paying the salaries of their staff. Courses of this kind may be a threat to their existence. 

- Rahul Bhat, Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai 

While it may be difficult for IIM Indore to have a good start, in the coming years it will be quite beneficial. At present people still prefer doing their undergraduate and postgraduate studies from two different institutes rather than pursuing an integrated programme. But seeing the rise in number of colleges coming up with various integrated programmes, definitely such a programme will serve as a boon for IIM Indore. And IIM Indore in itself is a top management institute so no doubt students passing class 12th will face tough competition for such a programme. 

- Shivam Chhabra, Integral University, Lucknow. 

India only has a handful of quality premier educational institutions which only goes on to limit the opportunities for its aspirational and talented youth. Beginning new programmes such as these provide more gateways to study in the best places in the country. Providing more access to means for learning and betterment ultimately empowers the society as a whole. More such programmes should be undertaken but however with a quality check and not for milking money from students. This innovative programme launched by IIM-Indore is such a step. 

- Rahul Gautam, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi (IIIT Delhi) 

Most B-schools are filled with students who are doing an MBA just to avoid a technical post graduation. It is almost like their last option and there is no clarity among most of them. An integrated programme will undoubtedly bring out the best in the students. It will let them specialise in a discipline of their choice and eventually become better managers. Their education will be relevant and wholesome in nature and aligned with their career goals. 

- Neha Damle, Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) 

It's a right decision to start with a 5 year integrated course of management in IIM. The student will have great chance of learning at an IIM and will become master in his/her subjects form base level. This will give students wings to fly in sky of education. 

- Dipak Sirvani, SR Institute of Management and Computer Application 

A sad trend but the fierce competition forces students to waste years in career preparation; first after class 12th and then after graduation. However, the programme by IIM Indore will discourage flourishing of greedy coaching institutes. It is said managerial skills cannot be taught overnight but honed over the years. The 5-year programme will give appropriate time to students to dig deep into real business scenarios. Career path will move on a definite trajectory unlike, nowadays, when students first pursue engineering, law, or medical and then realise management education as their ultimate goal. 

- Priyanka Chandra, Department of Management Studies, Lucknow University 

The new integrated programme will help students to pursue management course with no mandatory graduation degree.Often students dispassionately pursue their graduation programmes. Students interested in management course would thus save time and gain better in-depth knowledge of management. Students, however, need to make a wise decision at their school level, to assess their interest in management, and simply do not pursue this programme due to pseudo-interest and media hype. 

- Akshay Chadha, NSIT, New Delhi 

Nowadays, finding out a suitable job soon after graduation has become the only aim of the students nowadays. They are also not to be blamed because the situation around them has also changed dramatically. Such integrated course would compel the students to pursue their education upto post graduation level and thereby improving their academic acumen. Such integrated courses would only ensure continuity of education which is the need of the hour in our country where job hunt and career search are leading to severe brain drain. 

- AB Karthik Monnappa, BIMS, Trichy 

MBA is an educational program where you get an in-depth knowledge about running any particular business and its associated integrity. This, however, requires a matured thought process and an experience of various fields either through working or by doing external activities. This is why experts have made it a post graduate program, much after climbing the ladder of 10th, 12th, and graduation where a student moves from a childish behaviour to maturity in understanding the seriousness of life. The fear is that an integrated MBA program might break this chain and might be a bit too early to enrol in. 

- Balwinder Singh Lohia, Unitedworld School of Business, Ahmedabad