IIMs may open up to foreign students

The elite Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are considering opening up to foreign students to provide a global stature to the country's prestigious B-schools.

According to the directors of various IIMs the matter has already been informally discussed and could be taken up at higher level for a final decision.

Currently the IIMs only admit Indian students and this could change with the approval of the proposal.

According to IIM-Lucknow director, Dr Devi Singh the IIM managements are now looking it the matter and if the proposal is approved, it may come into effect from the next session.

IIM directors are contemplating using the Graduate Management Aptitude Test to determine entry to foreign students.

Foreign students would have to compete among themselves for a limited number of seats. According to Singh the plan is to set aside a certain number of seats for foreign students who will not be competing for seats meant for Indian students.

The plan may be implemented by first admitting students from neighbouring countries.

According to Ajit Balakrishnan, chairman IIM Kolkata and CEO of Rediff.com it it worked out the IIMs could even have students from countries like the US which will give more exposure to students and enrich their experience too. He added there was no shortage of good teachers. He said the shortage disappeared after the slowdown.