IIM-A to Receive its Most Gender Diverse Batch; Records Highest Female Ratio Ever

The incoming batch (2017-19) of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has reportedly seen the highest female ratio for both its postgraduate programme in management, the PGP and the PGP-FAB, (the agri business management course).

Female students comprise 28% of the total number of students in the incoming PGP batch. This is a 7% hike from the previous year's percentage  21%, whereas the percentage of women has seen a jump from 46% to 50% in the incoming FABM batch.

IIM-A Director Ashish Nanda clarified that the diversity was achieved without giving extra credits or holding specific quotas on account of gender.

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"In our discussion-based learning environment, diversity in student backgrounds and experiences helps enrich the learning process, by bringing different perspectives to the class. We are pleased with the increasing percentage of women students in our entering class. This has been achieved without giving extra credits or holding specific quotas on account of gender," he said.

Females comprise 28% of the total number of students in the PGP batch. This is a 7% hike in the previous year's percentage of 21%, whereas the percentage of women has seen a jump from 46% to 50% in the FABM batch.

He further added that this rise in the number could be achieved through an amalgamation of active recruitment of female candidates, encouraging discipline diversity in students, called for interviews and paying attention to “holistic leadership potential” among those being interviewed. He emphasised that the broad mix of gender will contribute to a richer learning environment at the institute.

Apratim Guha, chairperson, admissions said,"Our admissions policy is to invite (for interviews) candidates from different academic disciplines, subject to their clearing certain CAT (entrance exam) cut-offs. This approach increases the discipline diversity of our incoming class." He further added that the objective was to improve the in-class learning experience of students, who we believe would benefit from being in class with people from diverse backgrounds.

It is heartening to see more and more girls joining such prestigious institutes to equip themselves with the knowledge required to climb the corporate ladder by honing their leadership skills.

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