In an important development, IIM Bangalore (IIMB) has confirmed its plans to launch undergraduate management education programmes. These UG programs are expected to be taught at IIM Bangalore’s new campus in Jigni, about 27 km from the present campus. Confirming the development, Prof Rishikesh T Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore said, “We are keen to make an impact in undergraduate education. We plan to launch an undergraduate programme…”
The launch of UG Management Program by IIM Bangalore is seen as a strategic move as it will help the institution to align with National Education Policy 2020. With this imminent launch, IIMB will join five other IIMs including IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak and IIM Ranchi that are currently offering UG Management Programs.
IIMB’s UG Programs in 4 Disciplines with Liberal Arts Flavor
Clarifying the academic disciplines in which IIM Bangalore will initially launch the undergraduate program, Prof Krishnan said, “We plan to launch an undergraduate programme in four disciplines to start with – Economics, Behavioural Science, Data Science and Sustainability.” It is not clear whether the successful completion of these UG programs will also lead to admission in IIM Bangalore MBA programmes without appearing in CAT exam.
IIM Bangalore plans to have the UG programme curriculum and pedagogic approach with Liberal Arts Flavor. Sharing about program thrust, IIMB Director said, “We would like this to have a liberal arts flavor in the sense that it will have a lot of focus on critical thinking, leadership skills, thinking across disciplines, etc.”
IIM Bangalore is developing its second campus in Jigani, about 27 km from the present campus of IIM Bangalore. IIM Bangalore is expected to offer IIMB IPM and IIMB BBA equivalent programs at the new campus. Apart from the announced 4 UG programmes, it is expected that IIM Bangalore will launch soon BBA programs and IPM programs like other IIMs. Karnataka government has allotted 110-acre plot which has already been handed over to IIM Bangalore and is in the process of development.
IIM Bangalore aligns with NEP 2020 Requirements
IIMB’s launch of undergraduate education will fulfil the objectives of NEP 2024, which has suggested that standalone higher education institutes to convert into multidisciplinary institutes. NEP 2020 recommends that “Single-stream HEIs will be phased out over time, and all will move towards becoming vibrant multidisciplinary institutions or parts of vibrant multidisciplinary HEI clusters, in order to enable and encourage high-quality multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary teaching and research across fields.”
By offering UG education in management areas, IIM Bangalore will fulfil following key requirements as per NEP 2020:
- Multi-Disciplinary Education: IIM Bangalore will launch an undergraduate programme in four disciplines – Economics, Behavioral Science, Data Science and Sustainability. IIM Bangalore also plans to have the UG programme curriculum and pedagogic approach with Liberal Arts Flavor. IIMB Director said, “We would like this to have a liberal arts flavor in the sense that it will have a lot of focus on critical thinking, leadership skills, thinking across disciplines, etc.” IIM Bangalore may shortly announce the launch of its BBA program or the BBA+MBA Integrated Programme in Management
- Size of Student Community: NEP 2020 recommends that multidisciplinary institutes should have about 3,000 Students. The launch of UG management program will help will help IIM Bangalore increase its student strength, without diluting its focus.
UG Management Education: Underserved Sector, Ready for Quality Education
The undergraduate management education is underserved sector despite the fact that its size is as large as post graduate management education. As per All India Survey of Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-21, the strength of students pursuing BBA programs was 6.37 lakhs and the student strength in MBA programs was 6.05 lakhs.
At present, the undergraduate management education is regulated by University Grants Commission as it is the degree granting body. However, AICTE which now regulates the PGDM programs, is also planning to bring the BBA education under its purview to enable the PGDM colleges to offer quality UG education in management. Speaking at 13th Indian Management Conclave on Oct 14, AICTE Chairman Dr Sitharam had said, “Since approval for all PG management programs is already being given by AICTE for many decades now, we will bring the approval of UG Management programs, like BBA, into the purview of AICTE. This will facilitate better integration between UG and PG management programs in India and give impetus to management education in India.”
This is a promising development for standalone PGDM institutes as they are currently not allowed to offer UG management education programs like BBA and BBM. Regulated by the IIM Act 2017, IIM can offer undergraduate and post graduate degrees in Management. IIM Indore offers a BBA+MBA called Integrated Program in Management (IPM). Similar programs are offered by IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Bodhgaya and IIM Jammu. IIM Bangalore IPM and IIM Bangalore BBA equivalent programs will add to the offerings by IIMs in UG Management education.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on IIM Bangalore
