IITs & IIMs join hand in offering Manufacturing course

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, August 27, 2007
For the first time, Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC) — along with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and IIT Madras — have come together to offer a course in manufacturing.
The course named Post Graduate Programme for Executives for Visionary Leadership in Manufacturing was launched at IIMC on Monday. It is a one-year full-time residential programme aimed at experienced managers to hone their managerial skills in the manufacturing sector. This tri-party joint programme is supported by National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC), of the Central government’s Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Government of Japan.
Shekhar Chaudhuri, IIMC director and member of NMCC, said, “While developing the national manufacturing strategy, NMCC had suggested the development of human resources in this sector. This is the first step towards that aim. Once trained, these managers will be globally competitive. The industry will get visionary managers with a competitive edge, something which the manufacturing industry in the country needs.”
With TATA Motors and other manufacturing units coming to Bengal, this programme will also benefit the state and provide it with much-required manpower.
“The low level of manufacturing growth had an adverse effect on the Indian economy. It has aggravated poverty owing to a mismatch between distribution of the workforce and value addition in agriculture. Manufacturing sector growth can correct this mismatch but that cannot happen unless we have qualified managers whose sole motive will be to boost this sector. That is what this course aims to do,” said Chaudhuri.
To begin with, 32 students have been admitted for the programme. The minimum eligibility criterion was a first class degree in any branch of engineering with minimum five years’ work experience. The selection was done through a written aptitude test followed by an interview by a panel compromising academicians and industry CEOs. While half the course will be imparted at IIMC, the rest of it will be divided between IIT Kanpur and IIT Madras. The course will also incorporate 5-6 weeks of industry visits followed by 11-13 weeks of industry internship.
The students — apart from those sponsored by their offices — will be given campus placement. “The work for the companies will not stop by hiring them but they should know how to retain these people. Attractive offers will not be enough unless they are given empowerment to implement their vision. Only then the manufacturing industry of the country will get a big boost,” said Chaudhuri.
mou.chakraborty@hindustantimes.com