Controversy notwithstanding, the Class of 2004 at IIM-A is not worried. For with big names flocking to the campus for placements, it’s business as usual at the institute. With the economy on the upward spiral, students for whom placements will start in March believe that their pay packages and contracts won’t be affected. However, they aren’t willing to say the same for future batches.Of the 166 students finishing the course this year, around 37 have pre-placement offers in their bag. With 15 foreign companies among the 70 others showing keenness for placements, Saikat Sengupta, student co-ordinator for placements, says they may have to invite fewer companies in case the number of job-seekers falls short.‘‘With the resurgence of the economy, the number of companies wanting to come to campus has also increased and we may have to say no to a few people,’’ says Sengupta.Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Merril Lynch and Lehmann Brothers are among the regulars like Hindustan Lever, Indian Oil Corporation, Britannia, Tata Motors, Tata Investments and Reliance to make a beeline for placements this year. The controversy hasn’t stopped them in their tracks.That’s the reason that this batch is not worried about placements and fat pay packages. But future students, they feel, may be affected.Anurag Kedia, an outgoing student, says: ‘‘We are products of the older system of education, so there’s no problem. Everyone will keep a watch over the compromises made by the institute due to this controversy and the effect on future quality. So it may take its toll on the batch which will be admitted now.’’Anish Saraf, one of the toppers this year, says: ‘‘I worked with ABN Amro in London over the summer. The industry seems to be waiting to grab IIM-A students. Our quality is comparable to Harvard.’’Speaking about the controversy surrounding the institute, he adds: ‘‘If it leads to future control of government over the institution leading to a fall in quality of students, the future of students two years down the line will be affected.’’ Anjalee Grover, who has already got an offer from Goldman Sachs, feels that quality of IIM-A students will only go down if the institute is the target of whims and fancies of politicians.
