Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow: A humane B-school
When Devi Singh, director, Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, said: "We compete with ourselves alone and emphasise holistic learning", HT decided to check if he was as good as his word.
On the campus, IIM students run adult literacy classes. "The idea is to make everyone on the campus, including the support staff and workers, literate," explained Ishani Pruthi, a second-year student.
This is more than just social service. The curriculum is being overhauled to ensure that students do not lose track of societal concerns, said Singh.
Vinit Chauhan, global business manager, JP Morgan Chase, London, and an IIM-L alumnus from the Class of 1993, agreed. "What I like about IIM-L is the dual emphasis. It not only teaches you management and hones your analytical skills, but also helps you become a better human being."
But good morals isn't all that IIM-L teaches. The institute is in the midst of a major programme to improve its infrastructure. Soon, the campus will have a state-of-the-art, sports and recreation centre, a swimming pool and an auditorium to host international conferences.
Retired professor S. Chakraborty 64, who taught quality management and research methodology, has witnessed the institute blossom from a one-room teaching centre in 1984 to its present 185-acre lush green campus. "I taught the first batch and even then, we never thought ourselves inferior to IIM-A, B or C."
With 414 students this year, IIM-L has the largest batch across all IIMs. The 2010 placements concluded on a high note with 41 pre-placement offers, 123 lateral offers for higher entry placements.
