IIMA - PGPX is ranked 11th in global MBA programs

5 years after IIMA started its full time one year MBA program (PGPX) in 2006, the program became eligible for participating in FT global rankings this year. And PGPX made a grand debut with the highest ever rankings for a debutant, at rank 11. What more could you ask for?

Interestingly, while the overall rank is 11, PGPX is rank 1 in career advancement and is rank 10 as per alumni recommendations. Infact among the three broad sections - Alumni career progress, Diversity and Idea generation, PGPX seems to have done very well in the first section. As an alumni myself of this program I cannot agree more with these assertions. The good news is the institute as I know is forward looking and is working on the other two sections (diversity and idea generation) - so good times ahead !

On diversity, I think we need to create more awareness among international students (eg. road shows in US, Europe, China and Africa) and lower minimum experience needed for admission (to 4-5 years from current 7) to attract more student diversity (I feel 28-30 age bracket is more amenable to move and it gets progressively difficult in general, as one ages). Ofcourse, there should not be any bar on higher end of age.

On idea generation, focussed tie ups (CoEs) with corporations needing management research can put the institute on the next S curve. In the short term, this will bring focus, speed and most importantly funds. Of course the flip side of not being able to leverage the reseach for everyone can be de-prioritised in the first cycle (4-6 years).

and life moves on...

It's been a long while since I have been here. I realise the original purpose of this blog was to document my MBA travails and that purpose has been served. Thanks to the support I received from my friends and blog readers, I drew a lot of motivation to come to this space and expressing myself freely. I feel it's time now to go and bid adieu.

I realised I enjoy blogging more than any other hobby. So, I am sure I am going to start my next blog sometime soon. Until then, its goodbye.

5th Jan '09- Re-opening this blog to all readers on requests from few readers.

Adieu IIMA

A dear friend reminded me of nostalgia when he saw the word Adieu. Last 4 days have suddenly become very hectic thanks to the PXCL tourney (done on the lines of IPL) and the Capstone module. Add the farewell dinners and photo sessions the day becomes really looooong.

PXCL was another master piece of Xian creativity (this time it was Vinay's & Venky's). The eight a side 8 over tennis ball cricket tournament was done in total "Indian" style. Right from players getting bid to matches played under flood lights in the evening and of course entertainment (sans cheer leaders). ITC was kind enough to set up its promos. This event brought all of us together one last time on the campus before we left.... and leaving on a high note !

Captstone simulation enables each team to virtually run a company in eight rounds, each considered as one fin year. Great experience as the exercise nearly brings most dimensions of running a business to class room. Like real business, this one is addictive as well.

This one year at IIMA has been one of my best years at life both personally and professionally. Personally, because we made some good friends and lived a good life. Sudha rues her leaving the campus more than I do. And of course little Ujwal would not even comprehend that his friends group is going to dis appear. Readers of this blog would know of how much this one year meant to me, professionally. The other day at the farewell dinner I spoke of few things I experienced here - 1. Inputs on business leadership (the 'tools' as well as learning to 'think', the IIMA way) 2. Personal growth (self discovery and how I relate to world around me) 3. Mentoring and guidance from some profs on career. I am glad I chose to come here and not to other schools I was looking at.

Biju asked me if I would like to continue this blog. At this point I am not sure. May be I would, or may be I start another one. My family (including my parents & sister) would be around to cheer me when I graduate on the convocation day. I would probably be more regular here during next few weeks. But for now, as I sign off for now, one of my fav Floyd numbers.. wonderfully done...

As we draw closer...

5 more days to go...if only there is way to stop time. Well that sums up our feelings just now.


an Ode to mother....

Bird Watching for a change...

24 days to go and it seems like yesterday, when I stepped in here. I can't think of a more appropriate example of how quickly time flies. All of us are going to miss this time for life.

Looking back, I couldn't have asked for more from this one year jiffy. I would rank the relationships I formed here as the greatest gift I got at IIMA above everything else. Also, professionally, I couldn't have asked for more - be it learning or post MBA options. I would dare say this has been by and large the case for most of us. We wouldn't have been where we are today, if not for PGPX and IIMA. And of course, we've been partying hard thanks to steady stream of job offers and the rolling placement format (that has helped stagger the parties!).

Some of us took some time out and went on a bird watching expedition to Nalsarovar and had a fabulous time together.

Six of us set off for Nalsarovar lake, 65 km from Ahmedabad. Vinay was the orchestrator and the rest of us - I, Gaurav, SanjayK, Ashish and Parry (Pramod) followed suit. Unusually, we were enthu to wake up and 5 am and catch the sunrise at the lake. The sight of rarest birds like Flamingo, Coot, Busturd was perhaps the driver. Memories of this trip make up yet another page in the eventful one year at IIMA.

My Sony digicam was more than handy and I was pleased to see some nice pics coming up (above: Seagulls feeding on nuts thrown by visitors as Sunrise happens).

What do I want to do and Where do I want to go?

Indira Parikh, the greatest OB prof in India (in my humble opinion) is teaching us a course called Managing Leadership in the context of organizational growth. The course has opened a set of fundamental questions.

I realise external triggers almost always were the genesis of my (major) career decisions be it going to Engineering (because every one considered good did that); or even doing an MBA. Yes, I have personal reasons as well. When I look back I was amazed at the options that were opened with schools like ISB coming up in India way back in 2002. In 2002, some of my most stellar colleagues had left to join ISB which caught my imagination. What was considered a remote possible option was alive again for me. 2007 saw me get there although by then I have broad based my target set (and of course my research led me to choose PGPX over others). On the other hand, I feel I did not do justice to my hidden interest and talent for Carnatic Music. I mean I haven't found time in my busy life to nurture this interest thus far. It is this paradigm of ignoring internal self and acting primarily on external triggers, which was my focus of reflection during MLCOG.

This discussion would be incomplete if I give an impression of undermining the power of looking around to learn and make choices. The point that is being made is, in this perpetual race of doing well, one has forgotten to stop by and ask what do I want to do and where do I want to go. Easy questions but no so easy answers. And certainly, making choices is certainly not easy.

Avnish Bajaj (of Baazi.com fame) lectured us some time back and I am reminded of his four pillars of life - 1. Professional 2. Personal& familial 3. Social 4. Spiritual. To hear it from Avnish esp after what he has achieved (IITK + HBS + GS + McK + Entrepreneur), comes with so much weight. I may be sounding like a bit like a soul after an Osho treatment but I kind of feel the sooner we ask ourselves these questions, the better off we are.

On a more trivial note, it has been a long while since I have come this space. Many things have been keeping me busy. I realise we would be leaving IIMA in another 47 days; can't believe how time has gone by. As I say bye for now, I reminded of Budha's saying: "All that we are today, is a result of what we thought".

Excerpts from a submission

Folks, here is a personal take away (discovered during a submission) I thought I should put here.

Leading To Make a Difference (excepts from a note "Why leaders can't lead: The unconscious conspiracy continues" Warren Bennis)
True leaders lead fully integrated lives, seamlessly fitting their careers in their professional lives. It is important for a leader to see the inherent limitations, ambition, talent and capacity for learning puts on the real growth of the individual. He must strive to make these qualities his servants rather than master. A leader identifies his true calling by leveraging his strengths. He also leverages strengths of his people by encouraging them to think. He has the vision to rise above the intrinsic narrowness of the life around him.

Reflections: One year at IIMA, I have been feeling the constant internal dialogue between academic input and my real world experiences. Perhaps that is the reason why these reflection notes are designed in the first place. Sometimes I am challenged in the usage of expressions to mirror these internal conversations, but reflection notes are the best that can get to capture this essence. I must admit all this has accelerated my personal growth like never before in my life and now there is a yearning to keep this going all the while. I wonder how I would accomplish this.

One way is to read select literature and books. Another is to surround myself with people with who I can have such conversations. And yes there are reflection notes (I can consider writing them in my diary on weekends may be). The importance of stepping back amidst busy life and cultivating the ability to collect the pearls on the way cannot be underemphasised. I would say this realisation is the greatest gift IIMA has given us.

Finally, I have IIPed

It's been a long while since I have been here. My apologies for the unusually long absence. I have just finished my IIP (International Immersion Programme). I have been to Amsterdam Business School for the academic component and did my internship in India. Well, it has been a eventful five weeks to say the least. You see, I am building a case for long absence.

First, it was a week at ABS. I am stunned by the quality of the faculty (pleasantly surprised actually). A friend at ABS tells me that they have carefully picked on the faculty to teach us this time. Feels really good in the end to be taught by one of the best corporate law profs in Europe(McCahery), one of the most reputed finance profs (Florencio Lopez Silanes), who I am told is touted to be in the reckoning for a nobel prize for his work on origin of corporate law. Amsterdam was so hectic that we could barely pull out time for other things that Amsterdam is known for.
Amsterdam was exhilarating in many other ways. I have met some interesting students, few desi ones at ABS and a Pakistani student on exchange. The school's support staff was amazing, thanks for all the help Kirsten, if you are reading.

The next phase of IIP was back in India. I was working on a supply chain project in the garment industry. For reasons of confidentiality, I cannot talk much about the project. On a personal note I have been able to get into a nice fitness rhythm, but for the recent injury. So grounded for three weeks before I start running again. Can't see my new pair of Nike & iPod+ turning into a sunk cost, if not anything else.

I have also been getting requests from the PGPX III students about information and other help. Whilst all of the 2's are happy to share most information, it would be useful to have a 3's rep. to collate issues of common interest and liaise with me / us.

As 2007 fades away and a new year begins, for most of us it's a new beginning. Here's also wishing our syndicate partner Rajesh a speedy recovery and healthy new year.

Internship offers & PGPX III Admissions

We did a press conference today. You'll see details in media very soon.

Salient points:
International Immersion PGPX II

1. All students received at least one offer, with some companies being turned down.
2. Significantly higher interest this year with 38 international project offers and 34 domestic.
3. Wide diversity in sponsoring companies ranging from IT, Retail, FMCG, BFSI etc (Microsoft / EDS / Intel / Unilevers / Future group /Morgan Stanley KPO/ Yes Bank / Cisco / Posco / Frankfurt Stock Exchange and so on)
4. IIP module is unique component of PGPX which has a week of academic input at a foreign university and 4 weeks of project work at a sponsoring company. Last year a good number of these internships were converted into pre placement offers.
   

PGPX III Admissions

1. Increased applications this year - 1352 from 849 for last class.
2. Average gmat score 731 (among the highest in the world)
3. Single class (section) next year
4. Appx 40 students currently working abroad
5. 10% are women students
   
6. Foreign students % - No change from PGPX II

With this, PGPX is emerging as one of most sought after MBA programme for experienced people, at least in India for now. Also, the interest among recruiting companies for internships & placements is overwhelming. Companies are discussing dates for recruitment as we come back from IIP by December 3rd week.

Why does the Global Indian gets drawn to PGPX- Financial Times profiles an Xian.

Della Bradshaw, Business Education Editor, Financial Times was here, last month. She spent sometime with us in the class, listening to Shafeeq present market entry strategy for a company wanting to go abroad. She has interacted with a couple of Xians (from the reverse brain league) and has picked up Sanjay to profile in her publication dated 15th October. Here are excerpts from her article.

After working for Cisco Systems for seven years in Silicon Valley, Sanjay Kuberkar decided it was time to return home to India. "I was keen on moving to Asia [not necessarily to India only] because of the rapid growth the region has enjoyed in the past few years, and the opportunities that growth presents to a professional," he says. "These opportunities are not available in the US."

He decided to use an MBA as a tool for returning to the Asian market and looked at programmes throughout Asia, including China. He decided on the PGPX (post-graduate programme for executives) at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, a one-year post-experience degree similar to MBAs offered in Europe by IMD or Insead.

This year's statistics for the PGPX programme show that Mr Kuberkar is not atypical of the class. The average age of the participants is more than 31 and, although almost all are Indian nationals, more than 80 per cent have worked outside India and half of those had returned to India from overseas positions in order to join. Perhaps the most telling of the statistics is the average GMAT score of the class: 699, comparable with any of the world's top MBA programmes.

Mr Kuberkar believes it will open doors. "After the programme, I hope to either start a new venture in the healthcare sector [the business plan for which is in the works] or join a venture capital firm," he says. "This is quite a different plan from what I had decided when I entered PGPX, but PGPX has pushed me to think differently and think big and, at the same time, helped me discover . . . and appreciate my strengths."

The full article is available here.

No wonder, I see more & more desis (during the recently concluded interviews for next class) wanting to come back home and wanting to make PGPX, their beach head.