Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM-C), which has already upped its global ranking this year, is working on a strategy to improve it further.
As per the Financial Times London’s Global MBA Ranking 2018, IIM-C’s rank improved considerably as it moved up to the 78th position, from the 95th in 2017. Some of the broad parameters based on which the institutes are ranked include value for money, career progress, female faculty, female students, international faculty and students, among others.
According to Bharatendu Nath Srivastava, Director-in-charge, IIM-C, the institute is exploring the possibility of entering new partnerships for student and faculty exchange programmes; engaging closely with its alumni; and undertaking a review of the curriculum for its two-year flagship PGP, with a view to improve its global ranking.
“We have made some plans to improve our ranking globally; we wish to come in the top 50,” Srivastava recently told BusinessLine, post the Freshers’ Welcome Programme for the 55th PGP batch.
IIM-C currently has short-duration student exchange programmes. “We are trying to build new partnerships to bring more faculty from other countries as it gives a global orientation. We will also look to bring more students on such exchange programmes,” he said.
Reviewing curriculum
According to Runa Sarkar, Dean, Academics, IIM-C, the institute is in the process of reviewing the curriculum for its two-year PGP course and hopes to implement the revised version shortly.
“We undertake the review of curriculum once every five years to make sure that it is relevant. While many of our course improvements are faculty-driven, we also have a systemic review. This should get implemented soon,” she said.
The review is an ongoing process, wherein the institute drops two-three courses each year and includes courses that are more relevant in the changing economic and global scenario.
Social entrepreneurship
The institute is also looking to work more closely with its alumni, particularly with people who have ‘tread a different path’.
“We are increasing our connect with social entrepreneurship by way of courses and other initiatives to encourage students to look at this aspect,” said Sarkar.
Students who opt out of placements to try their hand at social entrepreneurship projects are given the facility of deferred placements. According to Sarkar, there has been a rise in interest among students to pursue such initiatives.