Panel slams IIMA for new logo, renovations

Ahmedabad An independent expert committee that reviewed the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIMA) has listed key challenges faced by the institute in the wake of global competition, while calling for an improved “strategic focus” on retaining its top position. It also pulled up the institute for changing its logo and demolishing iconic dorms “without consulting” the alumni.

- Maulik Pathak

The committee, led by former NASSCOM president Kiran Karnik, in its 71-page report has underscored several imperative recommendations, including enhancing inclusive decision-making and alumni involvement, improving rankings, prioritising world-class research, ensuring affordability for students, and preserving architectural heritage.

“Many alumni are concerned about possible damage to IIMA’s reputation as an eminent institution of repute because of its slippage on global rankings and some negative coverage in the media,” the report, dated May 12 and recently uploaded on the institute’s website, said. “Having better mechanisms of engagement with alumni would help in removing some of the apprehensions on this front.”

In 2009-10, IIMA ranked 11th in the FT (Financial Times) Rankings for the one-year programme and 41st in the Economist Rankings for the two-year programme. However, its current rankings have gone down to 51 in the FT Rankings and 99 in the Economist Rankings.