- Can a person without academic credentials or a PhD be appointed as director of an IIM?
--I am not very sure as for it one has to do some study of the rules and procedures of how the directors are appointed. Better let’s ask GOOGLE about the founding directors of IIMs
IIM Calcutta-Mr. K.T.Chandy, the former Chairman of Hindustan Lever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Institute_of_Management_Calcutta)
IIM Ahmedabad-Ravi John Matthai was the first full-time Director of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ravi_J._Matthai)
IIM Bangalore- Mr N S Ramaswamy was the first director (http://www.iimb.ernet.in/about-iimb/history)
IIM Lucknow-Professor Ishwar Dayal was the first full time Director IIM Lucknow.
IIM Kozhikode- Dr Vinayshil Gautam was the first Director of IIM, Kozhikode
IIM Indore-Dr VN Asopa was the founder-director of IIM-Indore
Results show that some of the founder directors of premier institutes are mentioned as Mr contrary to Dr. But I hope that who ever has asked this question would have done better research on this topic than me.
-Can administrative staff attend faculty meetings and interfere in academic matters?
Not very sure, but for a new INSTITUTE where agenda might be to get more and more exposure and better placements in the scenario of global meltdown, involving administrative staff may not be a bad decision. In almost all the institutions several office of responsibilities like, admissions, placements, exams etc is chaired by a faculty member and administrative staff supports the functioning of the office. But I hope that by this question the answer seeker means that administrative staff was participating in meeting where some thing totally academic unrelated to other activities was being discussed.
Can faculty be denied their allowances and even the contributory provident fund (CPF) due by law?
If such this has happened it’s really very bad thing to accept. A person has to dedicate his/her whole life for a profession like teaching. Even as early as in the doctoral phase one has to make a lot of sacrifices. One really can’t accept that such high talented, dedicated intellectuals to be denied of any allowance due by the law of land.
On the other hand, why will someone withhold allowance and contributory provident fund due by law? Can some body tell me that is the money under this fund transferrable. Anyway, faculty shortage is almost a problem witnessed by every IIM. Interested people may do a GOOGLE for this. So for an institute which has started in 2008, getting well qualified faculty member would be the toughest task. I didn’t really see the logic of denying someone of allowances etc due by law.
Is it may be a stand alone case or a generally practiced phenomena, but more clarifications are needed.
All this and much more constitutes the shocking state of affairs at IIM Shillong - the newest IIM which started functioning from July 2008. Every process, from the appointment of faculty members to the purchase of equipment, has been subverted, resulting in an institute which is only an IIM in name
I think it may be too early to conclude this, moreover let’s support the argument with some facts rather than just our own opinion.
No less than 7 of the 13 full time faculty members who joined IIM Shillong in 2008 left in less than a year, leaving a demoralised student body and questions about how an institute by the name of 'IIM' can get by without following any prescribed norms.
It’s really a hard fact to accept that the attrition rate of faculty members is much high. But I hope that the situation of other IIMs may be much better in terms of faculty attrition rate and a lot of research would have done on this before putting such an argument by the blogger. Let’s look on the other side, if given a change who will not wish to join another well established IIM. One has to accept that location of the institute is one of the major factors for such decisions. Considering the family of the faculty members, opportunities of consultancy and other projects from industry, I feel that the problem of attrition will persist for long.
At the core of the issue is the appointment of Ashoke Kumar Datta as director of IIM Shillong. Dutta's profile includes 40 years of erratic corporate experience and does not list any academic credentials. Directors and faculty at IIMs are generally required to have a PhD in their subject.
I hope that the blogger is sure about the profile of the director. I think having a PGDM from IIM Calcutta before 1971 is it self a big achievement. Meaning of 40 years of erratic corporate experience is not very clear. Does the PDGM from an IIM remains in the same organization for his/her whole life? I think there is a lot of scope to further explore this. What does “generally required to have a PhD in their subject” does that mean they may not. Anyway we have already discussed the profiles of some of the directors earlier.
At the time of his appointment Mr Ashoke Dutta was already past the age of 60, a fact which should have disqualified him from what is meant to be a 5 year term.
No idea, people please do a google…….
A source who was closely involved with IIM Shillong at inception stage says, "Mr Dutta's appointment was not cleared by the PMO and earlier by the Dept of Personnel for a full three/four months after selection. I understand there was a problem of Security Clearance and a question of age besides the PHD which kept them from clearing the appointment. It took the intervention of the then MHRD Minister through a letter to the Prime Minister to obtain the clearance".
How is “Security Clearance” related to appointment of a director in IIM. Is the blogger talking about appointment of a director or boarding a plane. If the appointment is not cleared even after selection then I think the selection committee should be questioned. One also has to think of the functioning of Govt of India where a person has to face so many problems even after being selected. What I like the best is “intervention of the then MHRD Minister through a letter to the Prime Minister to obtain the clearance”. Is it really possible for the PM of India to look into such matters? Moreover, IIM shillong is named after former Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, so there may be no question of making any compromise by the ruling party in appointment of the director.
The appointment of a number of faculty members did not follow due process as well. A former professor at IIM Shillong, recounts the horrific way in which rules were flouted to accomodate some faculty members.
"A prospective faculty member is generally required to present a paper before the students and existing faculty, before being invited for interview. In the case of at least one faculty member, there was neither a presentation nor an interview."
Another shocking case was that of a candidate who was rejected by the interview board and yet appointed as a 'faculty associate'. Three months this person was promoted to the post of assistant professor.
Another professor was recruited to teach a subject, despite having no experience or background in this subject. These and many more decisions related to academics were taken by the director unilaterally, without consulting the Dean and other faculty colleagues.
If someone of such repute as a professor says so, no one have may have a second opinion on that.
The collegial system of governance, the Director's complete lack of powers in appointments and his accountability to the Faculty Council are at the heart of the IIM model of merit and excellence.
Apart from these processes not being followed, major issues with the organisational culture soon became obvious. Some of the strange practices at IIM Shillong included:
a) Daily faculty meeting for 1 hour between 9 and 10 am with no specific agenda
Is it really so bad as being written………
b) Administrative staff being invited to attend faculty meetings where they have no locus standi
Similar in this case
c) Administrative staff interrupting lectures on minor pretexts.
Is this a stand alone case or a regular practice?
d) Officer on Special Duty (Finance) sending emails questioning professors on issues related to CAT interview selections
Are the emails personal communications or seeking answers related to CAT interview?
e) Professors being humiliated in faculty meetings, intimidated verbally and through memos; and being told by the director "you are welcome to leave" if they raised their voice on any issue, including issues like CPF (contributory provident fund) not being provided by IIM Shillong, as per prevailing laws of the land.
This one is really shocking. But as far as my knowledge is concerned a director and a professor are on the same level. I am quite curious by now to know that why was the director withholding the CPF.
A former IIM Shillong professor who spoke to me recalls, "I realised there was a problem when on 5th July 2008, when the director tried to force a faculty member to teach the accounting paper. The faculty member had refused citing lack of experience in teaching that subject".
Let see what Wikipedia has to say “Formally inaugurated by Dr Donkupar Roy The Chief Minister of Meghalaya on 4 July 2008”. So the very next day of the formal inauguration of the institute something like this has happened. Can someone tell when classes have formally started in RGIIM in the year 2008 so that we can have some more clarity on this issue?
The Director insisted the faculty should teach accounting or resign. The person in question did resign but was later asked to stay on.
Can a director ask a person PhD in marketing to teach accounting? I think faculty members are given some time before the start of the course to prepare the subject and other requirements like the course outline etc.
Another such person was an eminent professor of Economics, who relocated to India from the US, where he taught at reputed schools including NYU. His wife, a professional with 20 years experience at leading American banks and financial institutions (and a visiting professor at schools like Northwestern university) also joined IIM Shillong as faculty member.
This professor objected to several of the goings on, including a faculty member being appointed in the economics area without his knowledge.
In less than 15 days, the economics professor became persona non grata. The director found an excuse to withdraw the offer made to his wife and he did so in the most callous manner - by serving a discharge letter while she was in the midst of taking a class.
Both professors left the very same day and subsequently joined another IIM.
If this is to believe then it’s really very unfortunate for the students of IIMS. Professors with such qualification and experience will always be welcome by institution across the world.
IIM Shillong also failed to provide the basic support required by professors to do their jobs smoothly. "I have spent substantial amount along with the student co ordinators for the winter placement activity. The money spent on STD calls, faxes, couriers and so on was not provided by IIM Shillong." says the former IIM Shillong professor.
If a professor is saying so then there can not be a second opinion.
Matters came to a head when in a faculty meeting he requested Mr Dutta to release money due to the faculty under CPF (Contributory Provident Fund). Since the probation period for faculty had been extended from 1 year to 2 years, various allowances such as relocation allowance and foreign travel grant were also not being provided.
Why is this CPF not being granted can someone please clarify this?
"In fact I was not reimbursed for the travel cost incurred in my recruitment interview. The Faculty Development Allowance of Rs 36,000 per year which is provided to professors to subscribe to academic journals and magazines was also withheld, despite being specifically mentioned in my appointment letter," he says.
If a professor is saying so then there can not be a second opinion.
Ultimately, the director terminated the services of the professor who raised his voice - without citing any reason.
The former professor adds, "I had a very high rating from students, the highest for any faculty member. I was relieved because I am not a yes man and because I asked questions about the improper functioning of IIM Shillong." These questions included financial irregularities.
These include the following:
* Mr Dutta happens to be the chairman of a company from Kolkata, the All India Technologies, which is appointed as the webmaster of IIM Shillong for designing and maintenance of the institute’s website.
Client List of All India Technologies. (source http://www.allindia.com/html/ourclients/our-clients.asp). The readers are left to decide for the competency of the company.
o Tata Sponge
o Jamshedpur Utilities & Services Company Limited
o Tata Power Demand Site Management
o Tata Metaliks
o Tata Motors CVIBU site
o Tata Power Customer Information Portal
o Ganga Kutir
o Usha Martin Limited (Machinery Division)
o Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM)
o Naresh Kumar and Company Pvt. Ltd.
o Tata Motors Dealer Locator Module
o Manaksia Limited Website
o IISWBM Alumni Website
o IIM Shillong Website
o TakeCare
o MJR One
o UCO Bank Education Loan Project
o Tata Power Energy Club
o Eveready Malaysia Microsite
o TakeCare
o Tata Power
o Visa Power
o Eden City
o Nicco Park
o Shyamsteel
o Ispat
o Allahabad Bank
o Allayurveda.com
o Ambuja Realty
o Angola Drilling Company
o AON-Global Reinsurance Services
o City Centre Mall, Kolkata
o ESAB India
o Eveready Industries
o Eveready Industries Corporate Site
o Eveready Recharge
o Lava Battery
o Gala Precision Technology
o ITC Limited
o Magma Shrachi
o McLeod Russel
o McNally Bharat Engineering
o Padukone Badminton Academy
o Sangeet Research Academy
o State Level Bankers' Committee, West Bengal
o Swabhumi, The Heritage Park
o Tata BlueScope Steel
o Tata Football Academy
o Tata Motors
o Tata Ryerson
o Tata Steel
o Tata Steel Corporate Site
o Tata Steel Centenary Site
o Tata Steel Ex-Employees Site
o Tata Steel Automation
o SteelJunction
o Tata Agrico
o Tata Bearings
o Tata Tiscon
o Tata Wire
o Tata Growth Shop
o Tata Steel - FAMD
o Tata Steel R&D
o Tata Tinplate
o TML Financial Services UCO Bank
o United Bank of India
o Creativeand Technology partners for
o FCB Ulka
o R K Swamy BBDO
* Another related party transaction is the procurement of a web conferencing solution from Intellisys ltd, a company in which Mr Dutta occupies the position of a director.
Corporate-Client List of Intellisys ltd. This includes IIMS as well as Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta) (source http://www.intellisysin.com/pages/testimonial.html). The readers are left to decide for the competency of the company.
o Agniroth (USA)
o ABB Ltd.(Asea Brown Boveri)
o Andrew Yule & Co. Ltd.
o Quadrant II Technologies Inc.,(USA)
o Birla Sun Life Insurance
o British Oxygen Ltd.
o Belliss India Ltd.(An associate of Rolls Royce, England)
o Bharat Petroleum Corporation
o Carrier Aircon Ltd.
o CFCL (Duncans Group)
o Contemporary Targett Ltd.
o Compaq Business Services, Inc. (USA)
o Comsat Max
o Dishergarh Power Supply Co. Ltd.
o Descon Ltd
o D.S.Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (Singapore)
o Elque & Co.
o Exterior-Interiors Pvt. Ltd.
o Everonn
o Ganges Art Gallery
o Greenways Shipping
o Globsyn Technologies Ltd. (The IBM Centre of Software Excellence)
o Ganges Art Pvt Ltd.
o Hughes (USA) - Client Testimonial
o IIM, Shillong
o Income Tax (Govt. of India) - Client Testimonial
o Indian Institute of Management (Calcutta)
o Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management (IISWBM) - Client Testimonial
o Infar India Ltd.
o International Combustion Ltd.
o ICW Inc. (USA)
o IndusInd Bank - Client Testimonial
o Indian Institute of Banking and Finance
o Intelicore Technology Inc. (USA)
o Intelligent Cynergy Inc. (USA)
o IMRB (Indian Market Research Bureau)
o ISRO Edusat Programme (jointly with HUGHES)
o Jaintec Enterprises, Inc. (USA)
o Jadavpur University
o Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd.
o Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
o Linc Pen & Plastics Ltd.
o Maersk India Ltd.
o MGM Rubber Company - Client Testimonial
o Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan)
o Manovikas Kendra
o NSE.iT (National Stock Exchange) - Client Testimonial
o NCDEX (National Commodities & Derivatives Exchange)
o Omax Auto Ltd.
o Oriental Insurance Corporation
o Park Hotel
o PriceWater House Coopers Ltd.
o RALLIS India Ltd (A TATA Group Company)
o Sonali Bank (Bangladesh)
o S.Kumars.com Ltd.
o Shapoorji Pallonji & Co. Ltd.
o TISCO (A Tata Group Company)
o TELCO (A Tata Group Company)
o TEQUIP Institute (World Bank Funded Project)
o Warrior Insurance Group Inc. (USA)
o XRL Communications Ltd. (UK)
Sources also allege that Mr Dutta is hardly present on the campus, with innumerable foreign and domestic tours taking him away for Shillong for 15-20 days in a month. Mr Dutta was to take the Business Communication course last year but only took 2 lectures. The rest of the course was handled by other faculty members.
How true is this and how different is this from Other IIMS?
The two areas where IIM Shillong has maintained sanctity are the course curriculum and the intake of students. In both cases external advisors are involved. Prof Paul Srivastava of Bucknell university has helped to design the PGP course curriculum.
Is this a first time practice adopted by IIMS. I think ppl should do a google or may find out from their friends seniors in other colleges. But if the bloggers says so may be a sufficient research is done to support the argument.
Former director of IIM Ahmedabad Jahar Saha was the Chairman of the Admissions Committee of IIM Shillong and with the help of former IIMA and IIMC professors, conducted the interviews of shortlisted students. This process was smooth in both 2008 and 2009.
Is it not the general practice adopted by newer IIMs in the starting years? But if the bloggers says so may be a sufficient research is done to support the argument.
"The Ministry of Human Resources and Board of Governors of IIM Shillong is fully aware of what is going on, but not taking any action," says the former IIM S professor who spoke to me.
Big people involved Ministry of Human Resources, Board of Governors of IIM Shillong and Former professor IIM S. I don’t feel like putting an opinion
The biggest losers in all this are the students, who have no option but to graduate from IIM Shillong, making the best of a bad situation. They are silent, for fear of repercussions and harassment, as well as adverse impact on their placements.
What worse can happen to the poor guys other than this blog in the time of final placements, when they are already fighting with global economic crisis and location disadvantage? I feel that all the students of IIMS must write to the blogger to thank her to bring all this facts.
(It is interesting to note that IIM Shillong had trouble filling up seats this year with scanty acceptances from the first and second list released by the institute. A third, fourth and fifth list was released before all seats could be filled).
GOD!!! Such insider information only “JAMES BOND” or someone with similar capabilities can have.
In response to an email and fax questionnaire on all of the above issues, Mr Dutta stated that, "Most of the points raised by you pertain to jurisdiction outside the purview of the director."
But still the blogger believes that the director should be held responsible. More interesting that the blogger expects that all the questionnaires send to someone will be answered. Those who reading this please imagine your self as a director of some institute like IIM and tell will you really have time to answer any questionnaire.
Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) acknowledged they have received my questionnaire but would not commit on a timeframe in which they would answer.
Do I need to write for this also……. “The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) announced the locations of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and seven Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) along with 30 Central and ‘world class universities’ to be set up in the country during the 11th Plan period.” Can someone even imagine the work load on the MHRD? Any way we wish that MHRD’s reply is received soon so that we can get some more clarity on the issue.
All in all it is a very sorry state of affairs. With four more 'IIMs' slated to come up over next two years, it raises important issues of academic standards, governance and accountability of new institutions toward their stakeholders. And the IIM brand name.
All in all this was a great effort to bring the things in front of the world. When the CAT exam is less than one month away, this kind of post will really motivate the students in all parts of the country to prepare for admissions to an IIM. This post has also helped the students of IIM shillong who otherwise have to struggle to get the attention of the media. Above all this post has really helped the blogger to gain a lot of attention and response.
What I wish to say is that when such posts come, we generally get carried away with emotions and start feeling disturbed and cheated. People will read a post and express their opinion but please before getting too much emotional and carried away just do a GOOGLE and also try to understand that is it a personal opinion/ stand alone case or a regular practice. Are the things really so bad or CLEAVER EXPLANATIONS are portraying them so. If you are facing a person then his right is naturally your left, so there will always a difference of opinion.
I am here not defending someone but I just did a simple search and tried to put some facts. The sole reason was to know the truth as the instant reaction of posts like this make you feel that every thing is going wrong and no one is there to take an action.
With all due respect to the author of the blog who is such an aged lady (AGE 253 years) as mentioned in her blog, I wish to thank you for putting such an effort at this age. I am really surprised to see that someone who is like a grandma to grandma to grandma, or something like grandma4. Thinking of youth at this age and publishing a youth magazine is really an appreciating task. I am really grateful for motivating me to write a blog after a long time.
People who are preparing for CAT please pay attention to your exam prep and don’t get disheartened. I wish you all the best and welcome you all to the IIM FAMILY.
