Often called the youngest of the old IIMs and oldest of the new IIMs, Indian Institute of Management Shillong commenced operations in 2008 and has since grown exponentially to now be counted among one of the countries top 10 government management institutes. Situated in the East Khasi Hills of Shillong, the institute often faces the problem of a great deal of misinformation being spread about it perhaps due to its off-centre location. However, IIM Shillong, now hosting its 11th batch of PGP students, has excelled on various parameters such as diversity and inclusivity to be able to successfully bust any myths. While there’s plenty you can find about the institute online, here are a few things you probably didn’t know!
The Royal Connect
While work on a 120-acre new campus is well underway, IIM Shillong is currently operating out of the Mayurbhanj Complex, which is the erstwhile summer palace of Mayurbhanj Kings of present-day Odisha. Renovated by the Meghalaya government to ensure state-of-the-art facilities to the institute’s current student occupants, the complex still shows signs of being a princely retreat by the lush greenery and the ornate glass windows near the library. IIM Shillong’s campus and its rich history is definitely one of the key factors that make life at the Campus in Clouds so breezy and makes dealing with the rigour of an MBA programme much easier.
A special bond with Kalam Sir
IIM Shillong has had a very close connection with the Missile Man of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. The beloved People’s President was a guest faculty in the institute and continues to inspire even those students who did not get an opportunity to sit in one his lectures. The institute still honours Dr Kalam with an annual lecture by an eminent scientist on the anniversary of his death. Based on his teachings and beliefs, the students of IIM Shillong set up a programme called Nurturing Minds to help in the education of the local children of Shillong. The institute has also set up the Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research & Analysis in his memory, which aims to design developmental models for tourism, business process outsourcing, logistics, handicraft, handloom, and horticulture for the entire northeastern region.
Making diversity our strength
The peer learning at a b-school defines a great deal of your experience there. Having people from diverse backgrounds offers you the opportunity of being exposed to multiple perspectives and ideas. IIM Shillong with its 11th batch has one of the most diverse batches among all the b-schools in the country. Topping the charts on both academic and gender diversity, the pool of talent offers a potpourri of fellow MBA participants from every field with their own unique skill sets and the platform to get accustomed to domains and knowledge beyond your own. With 42.46% of the 2018 – 2020 batch being non-engineers, from the diverse field like law, animation, urban planning and a lot more the learning here is never limited to the classrooms.
Nestled in Nature
The beauty of the Northeast cannot be put into words without understating it. Situated in the beautiful state of Meghalaya, Shillong is called the Scotland of the East for its stellar valleys, waterfalls, and cloud hugging peaks. From vast meadows that merge into the horizon to beautiful roads wrapped around green hills it offers every opportunity to be one with nature. Having your b-school campus right in the middle of this makes your two years even more memorable as you are never short of quick getaways, or a simple evening stroll near campus to clear your headspace. With challenging treks for thrill seekers, to nature walks through forests that can mesmerise you with their exotic secrets all you need are a pair of shoes and a will to explore. Having a hill just 5 minutes away right behind the campus and the perfect evening sunsets greet you and induct you into this compelling beauty from the moment you step foot into the CampuSInClouds!
Growing with the community
The entire IIM Shillong fraternity strongly believes in giving back to the local community and growing hand in hand with the people of the region. Apart from providing education to local school students through nurturing minds and developing models for the growth of northeast India, the institute also runs the Centre for Development of North Eastern Region, or CEDNER. The main objective of CEDNER is to provide training, skill development opportunities, and the tools for innovation to flourish among the local entrepreneurs to aid in the employment of Meghalayan youth. The centre aims to train participants to develop sustainable and relevant business models.