The Curriculum:

A judicious mix of different teaching methods, evolved using feed-backs from students and other programme participants, is employed at the institute. The emphasis is on learning processes and learning outcomes for enhancement of managerial competencies. Problem-solving and analytical skills are honed through case studies, which are part of the pedagogy in most of the courses. The management development programmes offered by the institute provides a link for updating the PGP curriculum so that the students are equipped with the necessary skills to respond to the changing challenges posed by business and industry. The post graduate programme also provides direct student links with industry and enhancement of application skills through projects undertaken for industry by students. The programme stipulates that students undertake summer projects of 8 to 10 weeks duration at the end of the first academic year. Once at the project location, the students apply the various concepts imbibed during the first year of formal studies, and learn to appreciate organization-specific complexities and implementation problems and bottlenecks. The project work executed by the deputed IIMK students have been highly appreciated by the industry leadership, resulting in ‘best project’ awards presented to them in several instances.

The PGP concentrates on subjects in diverse functional areas during the first year, equipping the student with basic skills and knowledge needed at the managerial level in any organization. In the second year, students select subjects in their area of interest, and have an option of dual specialization. Electives are offered in finance, marketing, information technology and systems, and in general management. Multidisciplinary courses offering state of the art analysis such as ‘enterprise resource planning’ and business process reengineering’ are also available for the taking. The students can choose topics from any or all of these streams. If at least 18 credits are chosen from any one area, the student is deemed to have majored in that branch of management. Typically, choices are made from at least two streams so as to major in two areas, thus obtaining a ‘dual’ specialization. The students can also allocate choices so as to obtain a minor specialization by obtaining 9 to 17 credits.