IIM-Calcutta to start on-campus executive course this month

KOLKATA: The Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) will be the first education institute in Bengal that has asked students of the one-year full-time MBA Executive course to report on campus from September. IIM-C authorities said that following the recent central and state advisories and regulatory guidelines regarding the pandemic, the students will arrive on campus in small batches to undertake quarantine in the hostel, while still attending classes online. However, there will be no in-classroom interactions nor will there be any physical presence required in classes.
The decision to throw open the hostel and resume on-campus experience in a central institute has left the state surprised. Education minister Partha Chatterjee said, “I hope the IIM-C authorities are abiding by the health guidelines. But how prudent is the decision?”
IIM-C director Anju Seth explained the reason behind bringing the students back. Seth said, “What makes such programmes unique is the networking and bonding amongst batchmates. This year’s batch of 62 students has already been deprived of this opportunity for the first four months of their one-year programme. The option of classes on campus has already been extended to students of IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow. We are making all the necessary arrangements and establishing the prescribed protocols for our classes.”