Why do IIMs want to go abroad ?
Lot of discussion and heated exchanges are going around on the issue of whether it is proper for the IIMs to go global and so thought of chipping my 4 annas. ( could not resist ! ) . However my comments are restricted as to understanding the rationale of IIMs to set up a centre abroad .You have the liberty to decide whether it is right or not .
Let us first look at the 6 IIMs and then try to look at out as to the reason why the IIMs are keen to go global. Out of the 6 IIMs A, B and C are the dream destination of many aspirants and over a period of time have strong recognition among companies and students in India. IIM-L no doubt is a hugely upcoming institution but to think of it as in the same league as IIM -A, B and C would be wrong . As far as IIM - I and K are concerned although they are a IIM brand still I have seen some people preferring the likes of XLRI and FMS over these IIMs. So what I am saying is that practically it would be feasible only for the top three to open up overseas centers. No disrespect to the rest three ( i would be more than happy to get here ) but they still need some time before they possess the debonair for setting afoot the bigger pie.
If you do a SWOT analysis for the IIMs you would quickly understand that there are a lot of threats and competition for the IIMs from within India from institutes like ISB , SPJAIN etc and then you have some of the cream which reckon that ivy league schools are any day better than IIMs . This stand is due to the lack of brand penetration of the IIMs in the Global market. It is very unfortunate that even after conducting one of the toughest tests in the planet and getting the best of students ,these reputed institutes don't figure among the Harvards and Whartons of the world. This is because the selection procedure in IIMs is more based on your CAT score ( read quant ability ) rather than focusing on the overall profile of the candidate which includes quality workex and leadership qualities. Their is a gradual change perhaps and that is the reason that IIM - A has come out with its one year PGPX course for people having around 7 years of workex.
Moving on if you review the current job market, a lot of foreign MNCs have set up their regional centers here in India and some of them offer a executive MBA from some eye candy Bschools in the US. The graduates who had formerly used the route of going to an IIM and then grabbing a job now have the ecstasy to go for a workex of about 2 - 3 years in a top MNC and thereafter apply to a top US B-School. Should I say that nowadays grads are becoming wiser !
Though it is next to impossible that IIMs won't get outstanding students but increasingly the number of the students opting for a US Bschools would be greater. This puts pressure on the IIMs to recast their existing strategy to be the best in the world .
In order to counter any scare of being the numero uno in the field of imparting MBA education atleast in India and likewise planning for the future growth I reckon some of the IIMs have decided it was better to go global . When the economy is booming and lot of US and European MNCs are setting up their centers in Asian region , it is the best time to showcase the research and consulting prowess for our prestigious institutions by moving into busy corporate places like Singapore or Dubai.
My wish is that we create many more versatile institutions such as the IIMs so that the demand for management education can be catered in our country but at the same time being in a fast moving global environment it might not be a bad idea to go abroad and set up facilities which promote learning from both the sides .
posted by Krishnakumar Chirakkal @ 4:31 pm
2 comments
2 Comments:
"..If IIM-B sets up a campus in Singapore, it will not be at the cost of another one in India.."
I was hoping you would substantiate this statement.
The scarecest resource a business school has is not money (there is plenty of it), but faculty and hence faculty teaching time.
It does not take a stretch on logic to conclude that the time a fac devotes to teach a course at Singapore could have been used to teach another section in Bangalore..
Hell.. the issue is money here.. faculty wants more opportunities to supplement their income by teaching more exec courses.. and they get more for a course in Dubai/Singapore as compared to teaching the same in India..
Infact.. I think the students of IIMB should be worried.. I think this will mean that the better profs will be out teaching at Singapore.. while the rookie profs will be taking classes at Bangalore..
the "Other" Reuben
@ Reuben - While its true that
many quality professors may opt for greener pastures which pay more but at the end of the day the particular institution is only enriched with knowledge. It is very natural for any person to move to some other assignment if he or she is going to be paid 2 or 3 time the current salary. You and I would also gladly opt for the greener pastures in that case, won't we ? If going to a singapore would add more money in the coffins of the IIMs why not ? Indirectly it would motivate professors to publish quality research papers.
I fully agree with you that its time perhaps our own demand of mgmt. education is met by the IIMs. It is very unfair that there has hardly been any increase in the number of intakes compared to the increasing number of people appearing for the exam. Having agreed with you on this , I am of the view that it is time for us to tap opportunities of knowldege especially in Asia.
Again if you look at the global b schools they are already setting up their centers in many parts of Asia including India. It is indeed very difficult to balance the domestic demand and grow outside but then that is what is function of a mgr. Using exisiting resources to the max. advantage .
I do not think that the students will suffer because of profs. opting for places like singapore because
1) The faculty - student ratio @ IIMs is comparable to the best anywhere in the world. If some do go abroad for the lure of money , institutions like IIMs would still be able to attract great faculties.
2) More case studies could be formed through interaction with the corporates in places like singapore and finally these only benefits and adds value to the students at any IIM.
Coming to money I do not feel that IIMs all that rich otherwise can anyone explain the reason as to why a professor publishes very minimal work when @IIMs and outstanding work @ US bschool.
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