New Delhi: The Global IIM Alumni Network has expressed concern about a bill passed by the Rajya Sabha aiming to give Indian Institutes of Management greater autonomy.
The body is worried that the IIM Bill 2017 will push back their aim to bring social inclusivity to IIMs.
D Raja of the CPI also expressed concern and asked the government about how it will ensure representation of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes in the governing bodies of the IIMs.
Arun Khobragade, a representative of the IIM alumni body told News18.com that concerned members were in touch with political parties to look into the ability of the Bill to address social inclusivity.
Members of the network met Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Gowda on Tuesday before the bill was passed. They asked: “How this Bill addresses inclusivity, diversity issues? If not, why not make specific provision for reservation both in faculty as well as FPM program?”
They also raised the point that despite reservation provisions in constitution, these institutes have flagrantly violated those provisions. “What in this bill will ensure that these institutions follow the law of the land when it comes to reservation provisions both for faculty and FPM program now that we intend to give more autonomy to these institutions?”
Regarding the fee structure, they said: “Some of these institutions are increasing fees so that they don't depend on government grants or control, thereby becoming a private clubs of the rich. How does government ensure that poor are not deprived of the quality education that these institutions are supposed to provide?”
The new bill aspires to bring the standards of Havard University to IIMs by granting autonomy.
Speaking to News 18.com Khobragade, said, “Inclusion policy that we are trying to force on IIMs, will get a push back after the Bill being passed. We are worried about it and have tried to sensitize them by showing the international models of social inclusion and emphasis on diversity in international schools like Havard, LSE and MIT among others. Also tried to show how it can help IIM graduates to be better managers.”
“Institutions of prominence in USA, UK, Europe etc are able to successfully implement the policy of social inclusion because “the industry supports diversity, they ask for diversity. Apple, Microsoft, seek for diversity,” he added.
This makes the management institutions also pitch for social inclusion. “But in 45 years of our Management system, we have been working with the same gene pool, which has brought about disastrous results on both academic and industry side,” he added. The moment they talk on diversity, it is met by the talk "on dilution of quality. How do you measure that?” he asked.
IIM BILL 2017 Features
The Bill declares 20 existing Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) as institutions of national importance and confers on them the power to grant degrees.
The board of governors will be the executive body of each IIM, comprising up to 19 members. It will nominate 17 board members including eminent persons, faculty members and alumni. The remaining two members will be nominees from the central and state governments, respectively.
The board appoints its own chairperson. They will appoint the Director of each IIM. A search committee will recommend names for the post of the director. The director is eligible for variable pay, to be determined by the board.
The Academic Council of each IIM will determine the: (i) academic content; (ii) criteria and process for admission to courses; and (iii) guidelines for conduct of examinations.
A coordination forum will be set up, which will include representation from the 20 IIMs. It will discuss matters of common interest to all IIMs.
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