It’s time for IIMA to go global, say alumni

The grand alumni reunion of IIMA ended on Sunday with around 100 odd alumni from different parts of the country attending the two-day event.

Former students of all batches since the institute's inception were invited for the grand alumni meet organised as part of IIMA's golden jubilee celebrations.

Cultural programmes, including performances of music, screening of documentary films and games in which alumni participated with their family members were organized during the alumni meet.

For most alumni, the reunion was marked by nostalgia as it brought back memories of their days as a student at the institute.
The second day of the alumni meet began with the 'Run around the Campus' event in which the alumni present went on a health run around the IIMA campus. This run was coordinated by 1982 batch alumnus, Rahul Varghese.

On Saturday, the first day of the alumni meet, an interactive session was held where retired members of faculty, current professors and alumni from different batches shared their experiences and memories.

Also, a documentary film about the institute made by Datta Swami, an IIMA alumnus, was screened.

"The hour-long documentary depicted the evolution of the institute through various stages, right from the days of its inception," said Nayan Parikh, president of the IIMA alumni association. "Another 10-minute documentary on life at IIMA was also screened."

The second day saw some interesting suggestions being made at a panel discussion on the topic, 'Role and contribution of alumni to retain leadership position for IIMA'. The participants, including the alumni, gave their suggestions on how the institution could raise funds and how it could maintain its leadership in today's competitive environment.

"Several alumni offered suggestions on how IIMA could improve its standing and maintain its leadership position," former president of IIMA alumni association Amal Dhru told DNA. "This year, IIMA and the Gujarat government are both celebrating their golden jubilee. On Monday, the chief minister, Narendra Modi, will be coming to our campus to interact with the alumni."

Another alumnus, Ulhas Vairagkar, said he believed the IIMA needs to do three things to improve its leadership position further.
"First, it should increase its interaction with industry," he said.

"Secondly, autonomy is very important if IIMA is to maintain its high standards and, for this, higher pay for the faculty should be considered. And, finally, it is important that the IIMA reach global standards as this too is important if it is to maintain its leadership position."

Vairagkar added that everybody at the panel discussion agreed that alumni and current students and professors had to work on ideas on taking the institute to the global level.

Microsoft (Hyderabad) director, Prabhu Yelisetti, who is an IIMA alumnus of 1982 batch, also suggested some measures for the institute's improvement. "IIMA is famous for its case studies and this method of learning should be continued," he said. "Also, its links with industry should be further strengthened."

IIMA's dean (alumni & external relationships), Prof Atanu Ghosh, said that, at the panel discussion, suggestions were invited from alumni, and then participants zeroed in on some of the ideas suggested. "Various presentations by alumni inspired and motivated others," he said.

In the evening, the most distinguished alumnus awards were given away. A performance by singer Abhijeet entertained the alumni, their family members and other members of the audience.