The new batch has 21 students joining the PhD and seven students joining the Pre-doc programmes
03 August, 2020, Bengaluru: “IIM Bangalore has raised the bar for research in the Indian business context, and you will be an integral part towards raising the standard of research in India”, said Professor Abhoy K Ojha, Dean, Academic Programmes, while welcoming students to the Doctoral Programme (PhD) and the Certificate Programme N. S. Ramaswamy Pre-doctoral Fellowship (NSR Pre-doc) of IIM Bangalore, on August 03 (Monday), 2020.
He went on to explain that the school will help the students assess how to go about their research work. “We would ideally like you to get into research which is relevant for application. There should be a merger between the fundamental understanding of phenomena and real-world issues. We are a public institution and our research needs to draw on and contribute towards Indian issues, resolve societal problems and put India on the research map. Hence relevant research, along with rigorous research, should be the mantra”.
IIM Bangalore welcomed students to the PhD and the NSR Pre-doc programmes with an inauguration ceremony, on August 03, 2020.
Professor Haritha Saranga, Chair, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), during her welcome address to the new students, shared the batch profile. She said for PhD: 21 students have joined across the 10 functional areas, with the highest in Economics & Social Sciences, followed by Public Policy and Strategy. A total of 86% of the students come with a Master’s background. There are 11 women students in the batch.
In NSR Pre-doc, seven students have joined across seven different areas.
Prof. Saranga went on to discuss the programme structure and coursework. “You will have high quality research faculty who will offer rigorous coursework. We will set you off in your research journey within the first two years itself, through independent studies, which will help you identify topics for your research. Summer research projects during summer break at the end of the first academic year and summer paper during summer break at the end of the second academic year would also help.”
Talking about placements for IIMB’s doctoral students, she said some alumni have joined top management schools in India and overseas, some are engaged in post-doctoral research, while some others have also joined the corporate sector. “The objective of the PhD programme at IIMB is to equip students for rigorous research and develop scholars who shape management education, entrepreneurship and public policy thought. There are Centres of Excellence too within the institute that focus on new and emerging areas of research and education. Make the best of the opportunities here.”
Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIMB, in his address pointed out that although the batch sizes of the PhD and pre-doctoral programmes at IIMB are small, the students more than make up for it in terms of the work they do and their contribution towards research output of the institute. “You will undertake research, with faculty, as part of your academics and contribute for the institute and the country, which will also help you further your career.”
The Director also said that over the years the PhD programme at IIMB has been revised and sharpened to provide more exposure to the students in all areas of research. “By the time you graduate you will be able to do independent research. During your term here, you will also have previous doctoral students who are faculty now as role models; scholars who have outstanding research output and have done exceptionally well in their areas of research, with publications in top journals in India and abroad. You can learn a lot from these up-to-date scholars”, he recommended.
Addressing the pre-doctoral students, he said: “We hope you will use this foundation to get a doctoral programme of your choice and go on to have brilliant careers. Make the best use of the current technical platform and we hope to meet you all in person soon.”
Professor Srinivasan Rangan, Chair, Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, said that the best aspect of the pre-doctoral programme was the freedom to think and be creative. But he also cautioned that: “While creative energy is good, the pragmatic side is equally important. You need to finish on time. So, do disciplined work, make a plan and stick to it, then you can go places”. He recommended a three-step plan to achieve this. “Define a goal, acquire the resources to reach the goal in terms of knowledge, skills, guidance from mentors, etc., and then remain focused on the goal.”
The inauguration program also saw two medals being awarded to first year and second year students. The rest of the day and following days will see more interaction of the new students with faculty members and other senior officials (Deans, Chairs) of the school regarding an introduction to the programme, learning online, administrative matters, IIMB’s other programmes, activities, centres, committees and facilities, and more.
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