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2 weeks ago
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The recent call by Prof. Debashis Chatterjee for IIMs to evolve into universities signals a strategic departure from the "monastic" excellence of the past. For decades, the IIM brand was built on extreme scarcity a tiny cohort of elite generalists. However, in a globalized market, "small and elite" often translates to "niche and invisible." By expanding into multi-disciplinary hubs, IIMs aim to mimic the Ivy League model, fostering research that influences policy and global industry rather than just functioning as high-end placement agencies. The risk, however, is whether the administrative machinery can maintain the "IIM gold standard" when the student body triples and the curriculum diversifies into unchartered territories.
3 Replies
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From a hiring perspective, I don't mind more courses, but I do mind the lack of focus. I hire an IIM grad for a specific mental model. If 'IIM' starts meaning anything from a Liberal Arts major to a Data Scientist, the signal-to-noise ratio for recruiters gets messy. They need to be very careful with how they sub-brand these new offerings.
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The reason the IIM tag works is the rigorous filter of the CAT exam and the small, high-pressure environment. If you turn it into a sprawling university with 5,000 students across 10 departments, you're just becoming another private university with a fancy heritage
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Honestly, the 'dilution' ship sailed when we went from 7 IIMs to 20+. Turning the top-tier ones (A/B/C/K) into universities is actually the only way to protect the brand now. It separates the 'Research Universities' from the 'Job-Training Centers.' We need IIMs to produce thought leaders, not just spreadsheet ninjas
