Oversight panel sub-group moots three more IIMs

Sources said the sub-group, during its deliberations, pointed out that existing IIMs at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata and Lucknow, since they were located near 8216;8216;economic centres8217;8217;, were ahead of their counterparts in Indore and Kozhikode .

8216;8216;In addition to the new IIM proposed at Shillong, the group recommends that three more IIMs be set up in locations where good faculty can be attracted and retained and where faculty and students can have productive interaction with industrial and commercial enterprises,8217;8217; the sub-group has said in its report.

Explaining the need for locating the IIMs in such areas, a member explained, 8216;8216;Students have to do projects with companies to gain experience, so the interface with the industry is an important factor.8217;8217; Besides, sources said experienced faculty tend to hesitate to go to remote locations since they also lose out on the 8216;8216;industry experience8217;8217;.

The panel also said 8216;8216;partnership with industry in these locations are a useful way to reduce government8217;s fiscal burden and to permit flexibility in the governance of new institutions8217;8217;. It8217;s obvious the government is looking at revenue generation by institutions through consultancy and by imparting training to industry.

8216;8216;The constraints facing existing institutions and the expanding needs of business and economic factors underscore the urgent need to create additional IIMs in regions where markets for management graduates exist,8217;8217; the sub-group said in the final report.