Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad should join public policy making: C Rangarajan

Being one of the most respected business schools in India, its role in sharing intellectual input for the economic growth of India can be essential. And, the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) senior faculties have many a time been involved in designing national policy framework but the scale of participation to make a difference and bring about change needs attention.

This was one of the points of conversations at a recently held meeting at the IIMA. The occasion was interaction with former IIMA faculty and chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council C Rangarajan when he visited the campus.

Sources privy to the information suggests, the noted economist insists on larger participation of the IIMA faculties in framing public policy. “In the meeting, he insisted that faculties should study the policies, its implementation and prepare suggestive policy framework by making guidelines and not wait for any ministry to assign the work to the institute,” said the source.

In the meeting, the idea of better exposure to IIMA students by giving opportunity to intern with central government was also tossed, which got support from many faculties present at the meeting.

Dean (Faculty) at IIMA Prof Raghuram said the IIMA is a powerhouse in terms of its contribution in public policy. “Why I think it is a powerhouse, because at least one third of the faculties are engaged in substantive high quality work in public policy. Probably, IIMA should present the work in a consolidated manner to give the idea in a better manner,” he said.

IIMA faculties have been significantly contributing in fields like energy, environment, railways, port, infrastructure, agriculture, electricity to mention a few and important national bills like Land Acquisition Bill and medical policy like Ayush- have been made after significant contribution from IIMA faculties, he said.

About internship of students with the central government departments, faculties believed that it was because of different system of application that students did not get an opportunity. The corporate houses come down to IIMA to offer internship- which holds chance of getting a job offer.

In government internships, students have to apply, there is ambiguity of getting the internship offer and students have to pass certain examination before they can get a job. Though there is an opportunity of better exposure and participation, the different system is keeping students away from such internships, it is believed.