Bangalore: Aiming at achieving world-class
standards, the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) on Saturday
formed several panels to chalk out a multi-pronged strategy on
improving governance, enhancing resource generation and
engaging best talents as faculty with higher pay package.
Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal held a "free-wheeling"
interaction with directors of IIMs -- which was also attended
for the first time by Chairmen of their Board of directors and
some alumni members -- and announced formation of separate
groups to study each of these issues and submit
recommendations in a month or so.
Sibal told a press conference later that governance
issues are a "roadblock" in efficient functioning of IIMs. He
said a group would look into how to empower Directors of IIMs
and enhance the role of their Boards. It will also study the
relationship between the Board, faculty and Director and
devise ways for giving the Board more freedom.
Once the group's report is received, the government would
apply its mind on changing the rules under which IIMs were
constituted, Sibal added.
The minister said the nature of research in IIMs must
change. "Focus must be on emerging challenges of the Indian
economy, which is destined to grow, hopefully, at double digit
rate in the years to come".
Another group would look at the issue of "contract
employment" at IIMs, flexibility of recruitment, restructuring
of syllabi. He said a lot of high-quality talent want to come
to India, but cannot be absorbed because of the "low salary
structure" of the IIMs.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, April 17, 2010, 21:35