FE@CAMPUS MASTERMIND: Response by Ananta Reddy to question for Feb 18-24

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Feb 20 2013, 14:27 IST

The proposed IIM bill proposes setting up of an apex body that will act as a coordinating avenue for all IIMs similar to the IIT council. IIMs will be able to grant degrees rather than diplomas and can also confer academic distinctions or titles. Another provision of the Bill states that the institutions will have to undergo a periodic review every five years, and they would be evaluated on innovation, entrepreneurship, research, impact on trade and society, quality of teaching and governance, achieving a global standing, and achieving social equality through education and innovation.

The benefits of this bill are manifold. First and foremost, it can facilitate alliance among the IIMs (earlier attempts to do so outside the formal system have not yielded favorable results). The council can facilitate research and sharing of resources between students and faculty. It will be specifically beneficial to newer IIMs as they can learn a lot from possible collaborations and the ability to award degrees will go a long way in international recognition to their programs. Also, periodic reviews will make IIMs accountable and be a learning opportunity for the institutes.

IIMs are divided on their views on the proposed bill with more established ones (specially IIM A) opposing it as they will it will endanger their autonomy and newer ones supporting it expecting it to fast track their growth and bring international acceptance. Established IIMs also believe that it will hinder their on-going initiatives. For example, IIM A is trying to bring in

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D Chavali | 23-Feb-2013Reply | Forward

IIMs are set up with an independent board of management unlike a Central Act that Governs the IITs. Probably the IITs are less controversial the Government aka bureaucrats adopt tested model. The autonomy the IIMA wants is for academic freedom, to some extent flexibility in selection of students, faculty and sharing the consulting income. There is another dimension to this issue. Since funds are given by the Government aka Parliament the Politicians want their pie in day to day administration and it does not wholly insulate to reservations politics, nepotism and favouritism shown by this class in University system in the Country. Somehow, we have failed to replicate a successful model elsewhere in the Country and strengthen it. May it be IITs/IIMs or Central Universities. Let us not waste time on these issue rather than rapidly expanding and replicate such successful model institutions to foster avenues to our youngsters and put India on top of the World.