IIM Shillong - More Than A Typical Business School

IIM Shillong, the campus in clouds as it is known, is so much more than typical business school. Of course there are many things that are part and parcel of a B-School like packed class schedules, competitions, deadlines that are always around the corner, surprises quizzes, longer days and even longer nights.

So how is IIM Shillong any different? Well, there are so many things here that defy typicality, that I must cherry pick the most striking features and put them all together in an attempt to paint the picture of campus in clouds.

Nestled among the Khasi hills and tall pine trees, the campus offers an experience that is one of a kind and the motto of sustainability that is at the heart of IIM-Shillong could not have found a better setting.

The packed class schedules can begin early in the morning and go into the late evening, but the beautiful environment and the ever-present clouds create an ethereal setting that takes away any fatigue that comes from the pre-reads, assignments post-class or evaluations, competitions etc. In addition to the classroom learnings, opportunities for real-life application are to be found in abundance – be it through “The Podium” which provides platform for the students to interact with some of the best minds from the Indian corporate scene, the many business conclaves and case-study competitions held during EmergE – the Entrepreneurship Summit and Khlur-thma – the annual B-school event of the college or through many live projects that the campus has been associated with.

Coming to the real lives of the students, there are activities galore, such as various treks through the picturesque Shillong, called as Scotland of East, Rannbhoomi – the annual sports carnival which channels the competitive energies of students onto a different pitch, quite literally. Diverse and competitive clubs of IIMS offers various events interspersed throughout the year to simulate the business setting coupled with fun – like Godseller’s, a real-time market simulation from Marketing Club, Start-Up Pitch by Entrepreneur club, Trade simulation by Finance club, golf lessons organised by the Amateur Golf Club of IIM Shillong or poetry and story-writing competitions by Zeitgeist – literary committee that keeps the creativity levels high. Thanks to the picturesque tranquillity of the campus, there is no dearth to breed of photographers and poets who come alive in the campus when it turns into a beautiful mixed shade of pink and white during autumn.

The batch size of IIM Shillong is very small compared to the majority of B-Schools. This has led to a true form of peer learning due to the camaraderie that runs effortlessly through the students as everyone knows everyone. This is cemented by many festivals that are brought to life by the efforts of the Cultural Committee. This is why it is easier for IIM-Shillong to transcend from the B-School to become a second home during festivals like Diwali or Janamashtami when diyas are lit with much togetherness or ‘handis’ are smashed with competitive gusto.

And then there is IIM Shillong’s own festival – the Golf Cup, which is a one-of-its-kind engagement with the corporate world, an opportunity for the students to be adept at networking and golf is a great way to interact with people who matter. With one of Asia’s largest natural Golf Course, as its backdrop, the Golf Cup is the institute’s flagship event which sees participation from 130 professional and amateur golfers from across the country, including guests from various ministries, armed forces and corporates.

Life at IIM Shillong is compiled one day at a time – for it needs to be – as the everyday rigor of B-School life, but the vagaries of its people and the immense, ethereal setting, cannot be held to generalizations of any kind.

Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?

I would want to work for Idea Cellular Limited. With industry going through consolidation and Idea-Vodafone merger in the horizon, Idea Cellular is going through an exciting phase. This would provide me with opportunities to be part of the company and work on challenging projects.

  Harsha C PGP 2nd Year IIM Shillong