Management is India's most successful soft power

THE INDIAN INSTITUTE of Management Kozhikode is celebrating its 25th year. And, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, it has been a good year. IIMK was placed 90th in the QS World University Rankings in the thought leadership category. It was rated in the A band in the ministry of human resource development's Atal Rankings of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (the first IIM to be featured). It was also declared the best inclusive incubator in Kerala at the Women Start-up Summit 2020. IIMK's director, Professor Debashis Chatterjee, spoke to THE WEEK about the institute’s vision and the innovations pioneered by it. Edited excerpts:

- KARTHIK RAVINDRANATH

What are some of the most significant innovations pioneered by IIMK?

IIM Kozhikode has irreversibly transformed the higher education space in India. [In 2001,] it became the first b-school in Asia to pioneer interactive learning programmes for working executives through satellite delivery systems. It is a diversity leader, bringing 54 per cent women to the flagship MBA program in 2013 and 2020, 30 per cent women among faculty, and 40 per cent women on the board of governors. IIMK is home to the first-ever Indian business museum and incubated a center of excellence for the employment of the marginalized and underprivileged, now known as the CREST Foundation. It was also the first IIM to anticipate the multidisciplinary approach of the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 and commence a two-year, full-time MBA in Liberal Studies and Management (PGP-LSM).

Could you explain the vision behind PGP-LSM?