IIM-Calcutta increases stipend for PhD students

8220;IIM-C has decided to double the stipend for its fellowship programme. We expect the step will encourage talented students with industry experience to opt for academics,8221; said Bhaskar Chakraborty, Chairman, Fellow Programme and Research. After the stipend, which will be implemented from 2009, IIM-C will be offering the highest stipend among all the IIMs in the country.

As business schools are grappling with a shortage of skilled faculty, at present, the average annual intake in PhD programme in management is 10 to 15 students. Although there is no restriction on the intake, according to institute officials, the decision will increase the number of students opting for PhD.

The institute has also revised the rules of the fellowship programme. To provide more enriching academic experience to students, the institute will offer teaching assistantships, which will fetch them up to Rs 11,000 per month in addition to the monthly stipend.

8220;We took this decision so that students can support their stay in the campus,8221; said Dinesh Varma, Chief Administrative Officer, IIM-Calcutta.