At IIM-C, the number of seats for its executive post-graduate programme (PGP) has risen to 55 from 40 last year. “The number of applications each year is increasing by 30 per cent,” said Biju Paul Abraham, chairman of the institute.
IIM-B is starting its one-year post graduate executive programme from April this year. The institute is planning to enrol 75 more students for its two-year post graduate programmes as well as add 75 seats to its one-year executive post-graduate programmes (PGP) for mid-level executives. Depending on the success of its one-year programme, the institute may increase its student intake next year.
According to Moloy Bhattacharya, head of executive PGP, IIM-B, there is a greater need in the market for managers. “In most cases people do not have any formal degree in management studies thereby leading to stagnation in their careers and difficulties while switching jobs.”
However, Punam Sahgal, chairman, international programme in management for executives (IPMX), at IIM-L’s Noida campus said that the economic downturn is one of the reasons behind the increased interest for these executive programmes.
“Many professionals are using the downturn as a reason to upgrade their knowledge and skill sets. With the uncertainties in the job market, employees are gradually realising that they cannot stay at one place without worries and therefore enrolling themselves in these programmes to leverage their market value,” she added.
As of now IIM-L has 45 students and is considering increasing the number of intake from next year. The one-year executive programme at IIM-L started only last year. For its full-time programme, people having a minimum of 6 years of managerial experiences can apply, while for its part-time programme, a minimum of three years of managerial experience is required.
IIM-K does not have a residential executive post-graduate programme at present, but has a one-year executive management education programme (eMEP) that is delivered through interactive distance learning. The total number of students joining this programme has gone up to 141 students in 2008, from 111 students in 2007.
“Any programme, which targets working professionals, must balance studies and their career, and this is one of the reasons for the popularity of one-year programmes,” said Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya – assistant professor, economics-IIM-K.
The one-year programmes are perceived to be easier to crack. Students don’t have to appear for CAT for these programmes, rather a GMAT score is all that is required.
Author : Shreerupa Mitra
Source : mydigitalfc.com
