IIM Vizag launches dual degree programme for engg students

Visakhapatnam: In a first for any branch of Indian Institute of Management, IIM-Vizag has launched a unique dual-degree programme for students of centrally funded technical institutions - institutions of national importance (INIs). This programme allows students to pursue a one-year diploma in business management from IIMV concurrently, with their engineering degree. Upon completion of the diploma, students can choose to extend their studies with IIMV in a hybrid mode for an additional year to earn an MBA degree.

So far, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal, NIT Tadepalligudem, IIITDM Kurnool, Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Visakhapatnam, NIT Manipur, NIT Mizoram, and NIT Agartala have partnered with IIMV for this programme. IIMV has lined up collaborations with NIT Meghalaya, NIT Nagaland, NIT Nagpur, NIT Jamshedpur, NIT Jalandhar, and NIT Kurukshetra. Formal agreements regarding this will be made in the coming weeks to further expand the reach of this programme.

As the business landscape continues to evolve, the programme's focus on developing techno-managerial skills is expected to align well with the increasing industry demands for such skills in the recruits. The programme not only saves students a year of study but also eliminates the need for the common admission test (CAT) to complete an MBA degree from IIMV.

Speaking to TOI, IIM-Vizag director Prof M Chandrasekhar said that by enrolling in the programme alongside their engineering studies, students will cultivate a unique techno-managerial mindset, blending technical expertise with management acumen.

"This dual approach equips students to not only respond to technical questions from recruiters but also confidently address business and strategic challenges during placements, providing them with a distinct competitive advantage," said Prof Chandrasekhar.

"A major advantage of this programme is its flexibility. Students can study remotely from home, their office, or any location that fits their schedule, as classes are scheduled for weekday evenings and Sundays. While fresh graduates typically start at the junior level, career progression leads them to managerial roles, which demand a distinct set of competencies such as strategic thinking, marketing management, leadership skills, operations management, and supply chain optimisation. Through this programme, students acquire critical managerial skills during their diploma that they could immediately apply in real-world business contexts. Hence, their professional development and leadership potential would accelerated," the IIM-Vizag director added.

Prof M S Jawed, programme chair, of IIM Vizag, said the MBA component of this initiative is structured as an integrated course, bypassing the need for the CAT exam.

"Students can complete their BTech in four years while simultaneously earning a diploma in business management. Upon finishing their undergraduate degree, they would have the opportunity to extend their education for one additional year in a hybrid mode to earn an MBA through IIM Visakhapatnam. Whether they choose to enter the workforce, pursue advanced studies such as an MTech or PhD, or venture into entrepreneurship, students can continue to build on their management expertise, further boosting their career trajectory," said Prof Jawed.

It is noted that IIM-V recently signed an MoU for the programme with NIT Mizoram. During a meeting with the IIM-V delegation, Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma expressed his support for the partnership. Mizoram governor Dr Kambhampati Hari Babu, who originally hails from Visakhapatnam, also voiced his endorsement for the initiative in a separate meeting with the leadership teams from both institutions.