Tale of two IIMs

IIM-A: It was the first day (day zero) of placement for the oldest and most prominent IIM, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A). An estimated 120 companies will visit the IIM-A campus this week of which around 5-7 per cent are new recruiters.

IIM-A has taken a major initiative of encouraging entrepreurial spirit among students who have expressed desire to stay out of the placements to start their own ventures. Students who do not participate in the placements this year will be eligible to apply for them for the next two years.

Incidentally, for the first time, even international companies will be paying placement fees for participation in the recruitment process. An official said the placement fees was close to Rs 1 lakh for initial participation.

IIM B: This institute began its placements on March 6, saw many firsts this year like offers for positions in West Asia, and higher positions "" which were not offered to the entry level earlier.

Over 100 companies are expected to make offers to the 256 students who will graduate this year. Students have accepted offers in Kuwait and Dubai. The institute, however, refused to give details of how many students have accepted offers in slot zero or any salary figures.

Students have been offered higher positions in corporate finance by the consulting firm McKinsey & Co and positions of associates by various firms. These positions were not offered for IIM-B campus recruitments till now, except for students from international institutes like Harvard, Wharton and Stanford. Around 25 international firms came to IIMB during slot zero.