IIM-A considering regular MBA programme in Bhutan

Updated on: Thursday, December 08, 2011

In a bid to take management education to neighbouring countries, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) is considering a proposal to start offering regular MBA programme in Bhutan.

"There is a proposal from Bhutan to start a regular MBA programme there. We are looking at that but we don't know how sustainable it would be," IIM-A Director Samir Barua told.

"Their (Bhutan's) contention is that if we start the programme there, it may attract students from other countries as well like Pakistan, Thailand and Bangladesh," he said.

The tiny Himalayan nation is creating an infrastructure that will house a whole lot of facilities, from where academic programmes can be started, Barua said.

"They are saying we need not get associated with the university there but we can continue to be whatever we are in India and offer similar programmes in Bhutan."

"If all works out well, then it shall be an outreach programme from our side. It will not be an MBA at IIM- Ahmedabad, but it shall be an MBA offered by IIM-A in Bhutan," Barua said.

The country's premier business school is scheduled to start a second two-week programme in general management education in Bhutan from January. "We are going to do a second programme in January, which shall be a two-week executive education programme.

With a view to taking management education to SAARC countries, IIM-A had organised the first of its kind two week general management programme in Bhutan.

The first programme in Bhutan was held in July this year.

IIMA also offered a programme in Nepal last year. "Last year, a programme was organised in Nepal, which is more than a year now. It is going to conclude in April next year," Barua said.

Over 50 participants, both from India and Bhutan, are expected to attend the second programme to be offered in Bhutan by IIM-A.

"The idea is to get a mix of participants so that people in Bhutan come to learn what is happening in India and similarly people from India learn about the opportunities in Bhutan," Barua said.

"These programmes are similar to the general management tier-I and II courses being offered on IIM-A campus here. It will have sessions in marketing, finance, behavioral science, human resource, strategy among others", he added.

IIM-A had conducted a programme in Sri Lanka long back but the response was muted, Barua said, referring to efforts undertaken to take management education to neighbouring countries.

"Myanmar is only opening up now and we will take a look at it," he said.

IIM-A considering regular MBA programme in Bhutan

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