IIM-B seeks 3 years to put quota in force

The Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore, has expressed inability to implement the reservation policy at one go, even if the Union HRD ministry issues an order to the effect this year.

IIM-B Director Prakash G Apte,after a board-of-directors meeting on Wednesday, told reporters the institute required at least three years to implement the quota.

"The lack of adequate infrastructure and faculty are hurdles in implementing quota from the next academic year. Unless we enhance facilities, quota implementation will not be possible at one go. We have already conveyed our decision to the Centre," he added.

The meeting, chaired by Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, discussed plans for improving IIM-B's infrastructure.

"IIM-B's intake is 240. If we implement the quota policy, there will be 54 per cent increase in seats. We do not have the necessary faculty or infrastructure to service that," he pointed out.

IIM-B is in favour of a split campus to implement the quota. "According to our estimates, we require 15 acres of land for a new campus (classrooms, accommodation for students and faculty). Since land is not available in the vicinity, we have to go at least 10 km down the road. The cost of expansion (infrastructure and additional faculty) will be around Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million), excluding the cost of land. Since we do not have any internal resources, the government has to fund the expansion," Apte explained.

Against sanctioned faculty strength of 89, IIM-B has 73 faculty members. "We already have a shortage of 16 faculty members. The faculty requirement will go up to 110 if we implement the quota policy. To attract faculty, we have to enhance their compensation. A final decision on expansion will be taken at the next board meeting in October," he stated.

Apte noted the meeting did not discuss the proposal to set up a campus in Singapore.

"The committee, set up to look into the matter, has not submitted its report. Hopefully, the report should reach us by the next board meeting," he said.

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