IIMC to extend executive programmes

Corporate executives who missed out on the opportunity of adding a degree from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) to their CV can now have a second chance.

IIMC is all set to launch a one-year full-time post-graduate programme (PGP) for executives from the next academic year.

A committee has been constituted to design and launch the programme.

The PGP would be launched after receiving necessary approvals from the Faculty Council and the board of governors.

Addressing the 40th Convocation, Sekhar Chaudhuri, director of IIMC, said, "In order to take advantage of the burgeoning demand for management education in the country and the strong reputation of IIMC, the institute is planning several new initiatives over the next few years."

IIMC is also studying the possibility of substantially enlarging the size of the existing two-year full time PGP over the next three to four years.

Simultaneously, over the same period, IIMC also envisages a major increase in its portfolio of management development and in-company programmes.

To implement these initiatives, physical infrastructure at IIMC would require dramatic improvements like several additional state-of-the-art classrooms, hostels and a new complex.

"IIMC hopes to receive funds through donations by corporates and alumni besides its internal resources," Chaudhuri said.

In the 2005 placements, Bank of America offered a student $123,500, making it the highest international offer at IIMC, while SUN Group offered a student Rs 1,600,000 as the highest domestic offer.

Meanwhile, at the institute's 40th Annual Convocation, four students cleared the doctoral programme, 189 students received the PGDM diploma, 51 received PGDCM and 30 cleared the PGDBM.

"Companies such as McKinsey and Co, the Boston Consulting Group, A T Kearney, Deutsche Bank and many others made the highest number of offers across all business school in India at IIM Calcutta. Altogether 78 companies recruited our students. This year 391 offers were made (compared to previous year's 312) and the number of students with foreign assignments stands at 59," Chaudhuri said.

The convocation address was delivered by Naina Lal Kidwai, deputy CEO, HSBC, who said, "Engaged employees are not satisfied employees. An 'engaged employee' has the desire to be a part of an organisation's future. It means complete involvement with the company's day-to-day activities. Since the concept of corporate social responsibility has entered most corporate houses, it is their duty to work with and for civil societies. Once IIM students take up jobs, they need to be daring."

Y C Deveshwar, chairman of the board of governors at IIMC, said, "This is the first time many IIM students across India are not taking up assignments abroad. Instead, they have chosen to work in India. Nearly 72 per cent of the population lives in rural areas. Further, our country has achieved the dubious distinction of being the home to the highest number of dropouts. Rural India is where the future market lies."