Four months after stepping down from his post, Dr Ashish Nanda, Director of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), exited the institute on Friday, leaving the implementation of major projects for the next director.
Nanda had resigned in April this year, citing personal reasons, and the institute, on August 30, announced the appointment of Professor Errol D’Souza as in-charge director.
On his last day in office, Nanda spoke about the challenges ahead, his achievements and nostalgia.
Talking about his fight for the IIM-Bill that ensured autonomy to IIMs, Nanda, who was accompanied by his wife, said, “It is a very sweet and sad feeling. There is joy over what we have accomplished. And with sadness, I am stepping away from friends and the institute. I love the word ‘Aavjo’. I will always be an IIM-A person.”
“I had spoken to many ex-directors of the institute to understand the right time to exit. And each of them advised me not to wait till the last day as it would entangle me in politics and other issues. Hence, the day after convocation, I told the Chairman that I would be here till September 1. I have enjoyed great support from the Chairman and the government. This is the right time as I do not want to go when I am sad. I should be happy to go,” Nanda added.
Challenges ahead
“The institute needs to continue to connect to the world of research and policy-makers, make IIM-A more international, and ensure the best quality environment for its faculty. After I joined, 32 faculty members joined. So the biggest challenge will be faculty recruitment and socialisation.
“Another challenge will be to implement the projects that are underway like infrastructure, the School of Public Policy, swimming pool construction, student forms and staff housing. These will start in three months.”
When DNA asked Dr Nanda whether he has contributed monetarily to the institute to support the funding initiative, he said, “I would not like to comment on my personal contributions to the institute.”
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 "Ashish Nanda")
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