Developing IIM Rohtak into a premier institution

Updated on: Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Indian Institute of Management – Rohtak (IIM-R), in Haryana, is among the new IIMs that are being set up in different parts of the country. P. Rameshan has just taken charge as Director of the institution, which has started functioning from a temporary campus. Prior to this appointment, he was Professor of Strategic Management and Dean of Academic Administration at Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode. He outlines his vision for the development of IIM-Rohtak and touches on certain aspects of management studies in an interview to TheHindu-EducationPlus.

Building up and nurturing an IIM, virtually from scratch, is a huge challenge. As the first full-fledged Director of IIM Rohtak, what would be your priorities and vision?

My vision would be to see IIM Rohtak as a top institution of the world in the next 20-30 years, and my task would be to create the initial conditions necessary for that. Recruiting good quality faculty, developing good infrastructure, stabilising and growing PGP, launching essential new academic programmes, ensuring development of in-house course materials and so on would be my priorities.

Has work started on the proposed campus in Rohtak? When will it become functional, in part or full?

The institute does not have its own building yet. The postgraduate programme is currently in progress from the temporary campus at the Maharshi Dayanand (MD) University Campus. My desire is to see the new campus being functional in about 3-5 years.

How long will this arrangement continue?

Perhaps till it is possible to shift to the new campus. In about three years, at least some initial buildings should be ready.

What is the plan in terms of expanding the range of courses and number of students admitted?

As of now, expansion possibilities are limited by the availability of facilities at the MD University. But, it will be explored as to how much more can be done.

How long will IIM Lucknow mentor the institution?

IIM-R should very soon be able to stand on its own feet. Irrespective of this, the support of IIM-L and all other IIMs would be essential for any new IIM. In fact, all IIMs, old or new, should function like a network, supporting each other.

What position will IIM Rohtak eventually have among the IIMs? What will make it distinctive and help it achieve its own position among the IIMs?

IIM-R should become a top institution of India (and eventually of the world) as quickly as possible. Its distinctive features should be quality and excellence, in-house knowledge generation, acting as India's management knowledge repertoire, and its global outlook/reach.

Do you forsee any problems in terms of acquiring and retaining teachers at the institute?

I do not anticipate any serious problems.

Generally, there has been a drop in the number of candidates taking CAT in the last 2-3 years. What are the reasons for this trend?

There has been a drop in the number of CAT applicants only from CAT 2009. 2009 was the year in which computer based CAT was first introduced. Probably, many of the frivolous applicants might be staying away or, with new education opportunities coming up, some prospective candidates may be choosing other avenues of education. Some may even be scared of the technology (computer).

Coming to Kerala, how would you rate the representation of State in the IIMs in terms of the number of students who gain admission to various courses? How aware are they about management studies and its scope?

In Kerala, the awareness about national institutions is limited. Keralites seem to find engineering/medicine more attractive. Many Keralites getting into IIMs are based outside Kerala. Kerala also does not have good quality support systems. Definitely, there is scope for improvement for Keralites in this respect.

Developing IIM Rohtak into a premier institution

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