IIM Indore Director Interview: Institute plans to offer degree & diploma programmes in Data Science, AI and ML

In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, IIM Indore director Professor Himanshu Rai talks about the b-school’s academic strategy, placement plans, admission criteria, upcoming collaborations and more.

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact IIM Indore's academic strategy?

A: COVID has had an impact on every stakeholder of the Institute—be it students, faculty members, staff, or even the families residing on campus. However, we have effectively managed to take care of all the regular activities at the Institute including academics, administration and institute maintenance. The major challenge was the transition of academics from offline to online mode. We shifted all the academic programmes to online mode within a week of the lockdown and then, as things got better, moved to hybrid mode, including the new batches. This includes assignments, evaluation procedures like quizzes, tests, etc., along with all the other events organized by the students. Most of our programmes have been supplemented with various simulations and online group discussions being included in the curriculum so that they are as interactive as offline classes.

We have conducted orientation sessions for faculty members and academic associates to help them adapt to the use of digital learning and teaching, novel learning management systems and even assessment tools.

Q: How will the post-Covid era change the Indian Higher Education and vis-à-vis Management Studies?

A: Any MBA programme largely depends on Participant Centered Learning (PCL) pedagogies including case discussions, project work, simulated exercises, and in-class exercises in addition to a significant amount of peer learning. The major challenge is the urgent need to integrate technology-based solutions in the classroom. Increasingly, students are likely to demand more technology-driven pedagogical interventions, and schools need to be ready with these. This calls for a considerable change management exercise in traditional schools, which could pose people-related challenges. In addition to adapting the curriculum, the challenge would be to identify the courses that will prepare our participants to acquire the required skills in the post-pandemic world. Moreover, it may lead to increased cases of mental health issues. The B-Schools in the future need to focus more on creating accountable leaders who will engage with the universe around them proactively rather than chasing only monetary interests.

Q: Is the institute organizing any special training programmes for faculty in terms of blended teaching?

A: IIM Indore organizes regular orientation programmes to train and update its faculty, academic associates, and staff on the salient features of digital learning, LMS, software and online teaching platforms through various workshops. The

Institute has made significant investments in using the best Online Proctored Examination platforms. The academic associates and faculty have been trained for online proctoring so that the invigilation process becomes smooth in the hybrid classrooms. IIM Indore follows diverse approaches and assessment methods while preparing the questions, depending on the subject and the assurance of learning requirements.

Q: How are you planning to take IIM Indore among the top IIMs?

A: In October 2021, IIM Indore will complete 25 glorious years since its inception. The interim period has seen IIM Indore become the 2nd Triple accredited business school with a Triple Crown (AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS accredited) in India and has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 business schools in the country as per the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework). The Institute is well established globally and is ranked among the top 100 in the Financial Times 2021 Global MBA rankings besides figuring in the QS rankings. The Institute has the vision to be among the top 5 B-Schools of the Country by 2025.

The alumni of IIM Indore are well placed in senior leadership positions in India and abroad, and the faculty profiles are at par with the best in the country with significant research output both in terms of quality and quantity. The Institute has some of the best-developed infrastructure and the largest student body among the IIMs and seeks to carve out for itself a distinctive position in management education in India. We have initiated many programmes in line with our mission statement, including novel courses in Advanced Management Programme for Women Leaders, Certificate Program in People Analytics and Digital HR, Advanced Management Programme for Corporate Leaders, Executive Certificate Programme in Strategy & Leadership for Senior Professionals and Post Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Management, to name a few. Apart from this, the IIM Indore Alumni Association got incorporated under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, Government of India (Ministry of Corporate Affairs). IIM Indore is committed to developing academicians and trained faculty members from different parts of India on issues related to digitalization of course delivery, student engagement, and research.

Most importantly, the institute has been contributing to nation-building and has signed up MoUs with various governing bodies and administrations in the city, state and nationally to find solutions for various challenges that the country faces. IIM Indore has collaborated with Ayodhya Civic Body and is working on implementing IEC (information, education and communication) under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to beautify the city. Apart from this, IIM Indore has also created video modules for the government school teachers to help them in efficient

self-management, time management and stress management during the pandemic and shifting to online teaching. IIM Indore stands firm on its mission to remain socially conscious and has been taking up multiple projects for social welfare under the Institutional Social Responsibility initiatives. These include distribution of medicinal herbs, development of an organic garden on the campus, implementing a zero-single-use-plastic policy, etc.

Q: How is IIM Indore preparing for blended learning?

Within a week of the lockdown, IIM Indore successfully integrated technology-based solutions in the classroom. This called for a considerable change in management exercises including identifying the courses that will prepare our participants to acquire the required skills in the post-pandemic world. Apart from conducting orientation for our faculty members and academic associates, we upgraded our teaching equipment for a seamless online and hybrid teaching delivery. Today, we have converted all our classrooms into smart classrooms with high-resolution cameras equipped with AI, an audio system, monitors and proper lighting. We have also set up studios for executive programmes.

Q: Management education is going through a transformation phase what sectors are going to see a surge in demand for management graduates?

The pandemic has affected businesses in many ways but also generated a large number of openings for fresh MBA graduates. All the sectors now need to hire employees with a skill set that includes resilience, grit, and the ability to solve complex problems in online and offline mode. The sectors have also transformed, and a major upsurge has been seen in the pharma and health sector, especially during the COVID19. At the same time, health insurance and general insurance sectors have also been requiring fresh graduates trained in multifaceted decision-making and negotiations. The technology-based services, renewable energy, e-commerce, travel, and hospitality sector have also raised a need for graduates who can augment their capabilities in the extensive use of technology, data analysis skills, machine learning, AI, programming, etc.

It’s crucial for the manufacturing and other industries as well to hire talented employees and fresh graduates who can confront the intricacies of a mongrelized environment and embrace the technological infrastructure and progressions and will create many job opportunities for management graduates in the coming years.

Q: Is IIM Indore planning to start programme in Data Science, AI, or ML?

IIM Indore has been offering various programmes in the domain of Data Science, AI and ML for Executive Education participants. A current programme offered in this area is the Integrated Program in Business Analytics (IPBA) which is a comprehensive programme offering participants the opportunity to have hands-on experience in the domain of Data science and ML. IIM Indore also plans to offer Degree and Diploma programmes in Data Science, AI and ML, either independently or jointly in collaboration with other reputed institutions. More importantly, IIM Indore will soon be offering Masters in Data Science in collaboration with IIT Indore.

Q: What are the new courses and programmes that IIM Indore is planning to offer in the near future?

A: With the advent of online education and with greater interest among working professionals to join such programmes, IIM Indore is planning to offer various certificate and PG certificate programmes for working professionals in the domains of Leadership, Strategy, Digital Marketing, Digital Transformation, Supply Chain and Operations Management, Financial Management, Investment Banking, General Management, Product Management, Data Science and Analytics, Healthcare, Sales Management, etc. IIM Indore curates such programmes with great emphasis on the requirements of working professionals. These programmes will generally be between 6 to 12 months in duration. IIM Indore would also be offering specialized Degree and Diploma programmes in Management, Data Science, and similar areas for working professionals in India and the Middle East.

Q: How is the institution working on improving gender diversity at campus?

A: IIM Indore uses a Diversity Factor for admissions. This accounts for different types of diversity, with gender being one among them. In addition, the MBA class also includes a cohort from the IPM, which brings a diversity of gender and academic background into the class. IIM Indore has been able to attract a diverse batch of students into the MBA class on account of these initiatives. A diverse class is useful because it brings together students with varying perspectives. Since IIM Indore follows a participant-centred learning philosophy, a significant element of learning happens through peer interaction and debate in the classroom. A class with diverse backgrounds, in terms of gender, age, work experience and academic background, thus contributes significantly to the peer learning environment in the MBA programme. Most of our leading recruiters have been focussing on diversity hiring in line with their diversity, equity and inclusion plans. Our placement process has witnessed a sustained and consistent effort towards this end from companies across industries.

Q: IIM Nagpur is setting up its campus overseas, any plans for IIM Indore?

A: IIM Indore has a campus in Mumbai and has also enhanced its programme offerings in international locations by initiating certificate courses in management in Dubai, UAE. These programmes have general management and functional emphasis, and since December 2019, the Institute has already conducted more than seven batches with nearly 300 participants in senior to middle management positions. IIM Indore has also conducted short-duration training programmes for senior government functionaries from Mongolia and Cambodia. The Institute aims to strengthen its presence in the Executive Education space for foreign dignitaries through similar programmes in the future. IIM Indore is in the process of initiating Dual Degree programmes with several partner institutes. This will enhance the Institute’s global presence and increase the number of foreign participants who undertake part of their studies on the campus. The Institute is now focussing on collaborating with multiple top-notch foreign education institutes to strengthen its global presence and create opportunities for the faculty and students for exchange and research. Currently, IIM Indore has 42 partner universities for Student Exchange Program, Research Collaboration, Faculty Collaboration, Short Term programme, and Management Development programme.

Q: Recently, IIM Indore signed MoU with National Centre for Good Governance for policy formulation, are we going to see more such collaborations in the future? Tell us about IIM Indore’s vision and objective behind such collaborations?

A: Yes, IIM Indore has started working closely with the state government and the central government to resolve many issues of public concern. Our mission is to remain contextually relevant and contribute to nation-building, hence we will be collaborating with the state and central government bodies for various policy formulation in the future as well. Recently, we have collaborated with Urban Development and Housing Department (UD&HD), the Government of Madhya Pradesh, and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs); Gujarat University, Ahmedabad for conducting multiple activities related to Corporate Social Responsibility and Institutional Social Responsibilities for the betterment of the city. Currently, we have collaborated with Ayodhya Civic Body for the betterment of the city and draft an action plan for the implementation of information, education and

communication (IEC, as per the Swachh Bharat Mission programme). We are also working in association with Kanpur Development Authority for the Kanpur Smart City Project. Previously, the Institute collaborated with MP Government to develop six video-based modules for 3.07 Lakh school teachers to train them in online teaching. IIM Indore also joined forces with Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC-Government of Madhya Pradesh undertaking) for developing Madhya Pradesh as an ecosystem supporting and nurturing Industries and Businesses is vital to kindle the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

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