IIPM and its armtwisting ways
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management sucks. A personal account.
Being the misguided graduate I was a few years back, I had attended IIPM’s seminar on Management Education and the Egg & Chicken charade. At the end of which, I signed up for the entrance test for their 2 year shit certificate that they try to pass off as an MBA.
Now, contrary to their misleading claims in newspapers, IIPM’s Madras campus is a blue and purple glass building, all of 6 floors, in a 60×80 plot in Egmore. Definitely low-key. But their advertisements claim a mix of “Old-English architecture in verdant, landscaped gardens combined with modern high-rise buildings”
That alone should have put me off, but due to parental pressure, I conceded to write the test. The result/rankings of the test was not divulged, but a month or so later, I was called to attend GD and PI.
This GD was conducted in a sparse room in this eye-sore of a building. Some 8 of us discussed the all important issue of Pakistan and India cricket matches. At the end of which was my personal interview.
The questions, if I recall correctly, were mostly on what I should be doing 5 years from then, will I have difficulty if I were to relocate to Delhi and continue my course from the Delhi campus and more of similar vein, rather than focus on my abilities and my aptitude for a management education.
A week after this said GD&PI session, I was asked to join the institute in a week’s time. An ultimatum if ever there was one. I was not asked if I would be willing to take it up, nor was I informed if I did badly or passably well or extremely well. I was just asked to report in a week’s time.
I refused. Next day, somebody calls me up and gives me a lecture on how IIPM education is valid world-wide and why I should quit my current job (I was a trainee writer in an agency) and improve myself. Of course, they would also be willing to let me pay my fees in two installments.
Reason prevailed and I continued being a trainee writer, going on to become a respected member of that organisation.
Now, I say this for two reasons. One. IIPM is as much interested in transparency as the Playboy reader is in the stories.
Second is that that incident told me that IIPM is not worried about their student’s academic merit and talent. They just want him/her in. I say this for I know I was never MBA material. One, my CAT score that year wasn’t encouraging. (My Quant score was to blame – I ain’t an expert in math). SO I am not sure how well I would have performed in the IIPM test.
Two, my contribution to that GD was zilch. I remember this well. For I am not a follower of cricket and wouldn’t know what globe changing effects a match between India and Pakistan would have.
I say this without hesitation. I would have sucked big time in an MBA course. I don’t have the ruthlessness that I see in friends who are at IIMA and ISB. I do know I am clever and creative. But that doesn’t translate to being a good MBA student. And I am sure, IIPM would have known it. Yet, they wanted me to join their course.
Why? Simply put. Rs. 7 lakhs or whatever their course fee is.
I have been viewing everything IIPM does since that day with a suspicious eye. And my doubts have been proved.
An Institute that stoops to leave vile comments on somebody’s blog, an institute that tries arm-twisting to get someone to detract his opinions, an institute that spends more on advertising than bringing their campus to a level they claim in their ads deserves a serious ass-kicking.
About
Chandrachoodan Gopalakrishnan is a copywriter, photographer and goofball from Chennai. He is also an archaeologist, historian and a city lover. He is currently a documentary film-maker and desk-monkey for a film production house.
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October 14th, 2005 - 00:35
Generally IIPM aside, I wrote the antrance test for a ‘Deemed University’ in Kanchipuram. Yes, that Shankaracharya insti. They, too, didn’t bother annoucing results and simply called me for ‘counselling’. I suspected eyewash during the test itself, when they gave out answer scripts that were plain A4 sheets, and not even new!
Even better was when I registered for the engineering entrance test to NIMT, Ghaziabad, and then didn’t write it as I had some other stuff to do that day. Imagine my surprise when I receive a letter from them calling me for counselling ‘based on my performance in the written test’!
October 19th, 2005 - 12:19
I too am an MBA from the international management institute but the harsh reality is that such education is no guarantee that you will do well as an executive. The real purpose of education is to draw out your natural talent and let you know which stream of creativity or management you should join. Some people take a lifetime to know where their real potential lies.
As for IIPM, I thought quite highly of Arindham Chaudahary before I bumped into some of the blogs in the last few days. It seems unbelievable that they should behave like this:-
It seems from the recent conduct of IIPM
IT is behaving as if it were PM
Just because they don’t see II(Eye to eye)
They don’t have to give such a reply
Or in future nobody shall apply
May 19th, 2006 - 20:02
wat the fuck?
July 19th, 2006 - 08:54
hi..i found many facts and faults with iipm, but do think personally that an institution which is for past 33 yrs will be a fraud…i think they are doing thier best and its ur duty to study and get placed. even if there is 1 guy placed from iipm, y cant it be u ? if u dont like then leave it better dont comment on anyone.
December 3rd, 2007 - 02:45
want to know the fee structure of iipm
for bba 3yrs course.and when the session starts .
i’ll be very oblidged to you if you send me the details soon as possible.
March 5th, 2008 - 11:12
In response to Kathiravan I would like to add:
Its not any personal vendetta, but generally when you get into a management institute you expect to have atleast a few options in choosing your career job and not just be struggling to get any job available and to be in the lucky few. And one thing is for sure “Actions speak louder than words.” How many ads do you think MDI does or say any other good b-school does. If IIPM is so much successful then let it stop those tonnes of ads and let the ppl talk what they really think of IIPM by word of mouth and placement results…
March 25th, 2008 - 05:46
I am a 2005 pass out from IIPM Chennai. After 3 years in the software industry, I am earning more than 1 lakh per month (For your info, I was recruited from campus). People have both positive and negative experiences in all walks of life, but to generalise based on your limited exposure to the institute is both naive and stupid! The tone, intent and content of your write-up is as obnoxious as some of the words used…
July 28th, 2008 - 02:32
I am not sure what Ram is saying is valid. My company RRD has rejected many IIPM gradutes in campus interviews. Instead we recruited from other tier 2 and 3 schools or hired undergrads.
September 29th, 2008 - 17:08
Tell me one thing, Is the one year executive MBA program really credential at iipm… Im planning to enroll myself at the chennai centre.. Will this course really fetch me a MBA degree.. I need a ardent reply..
October 30th, 2008 - 10:12
hw is the programme 1year mba degree.it is 100% placement r not other wise i will do my ms in uk.at present am dng job.
November 6th, 2008 - 01:40
Hey friends
Is there any good institutes in India giving Direct Admission 4 MBA without taking past academic score in account, as i hv got only 48% in B.com final? (Other than IIPM)
R the placements guaranteed if we pass out 4m IIPM? (After paying higher fees though)
Any guess abt the fees 4 IIPM, Mumbai?
November 8th, 2008 - 16:01
Please Tell Me what is the complete fee of BBA. From Delhi campus
November 25th, 2008 - 19:05
I have planned to do my M.B.A in IIPM Chennai, if i finish my M.B.a can i pursue MY Ph.d in Madras university or Anna University? Then Placement Is Guranteed or not?
February 14th, 2009 - 16:52
Hello guys can you suggest me ifi should join IIPM mumbai for a 2-year full time cource. how is IIPM as an institute?. Please help.
March 4th, 2009 - 12:28
plz just tell me about the course fees of IIPM Kolkata