IIM Shillong aims to increase enrollment from North Eastern States assures financial support for students

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 13, 2023

The director of Indian Institute of Management, Shillong (IIM Shillong) DP Goyal informed that there are 12 students from the North Eastern Region in which five are tribals, two are from Meghalaya and two from Assam and one from Agartala.

The Centre for Development of North Eastern Region (CeDNER) of IIM Shillong organized an interaction and consultation meeting with the representatives of Ka Synjuk Ki Nongsynhar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep, Federation of Traditional Village Leaders of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya on Tuesday at the campus.

He told reporters after holding the meeting that he aspires to see more students enrol in IIM Shillong.

 “We want that in the next 5 five years the number of students should increase. There is a center that would like to guide and give them the coaching so that more students join IIM,” he said.

The meeting was an attempt to reach out to the community in the state at large and see how they can contribute.

Goyal said that the IIM Shillong has been in the state for the last 15 years and the over 700 students and faculty colleagues would like to contribute to the development of the region.

Dispelling apprehensions that a management institute is for the elite class, the IIM Director assured that loans are available without any collateral.

Stating that there should be awareness for students from the state or from the North Eastern Region to get into IIM Shillong, Goyal said that there is no bar but the students need guidance, mentoring.

In this connection, the IIM Shillong will be making a visit to schools and colleges in rural and urban areas.

The Director had reportedly told the delegates that students from the state go elsewhere.

President of the Synjuk ki Nongsynshar Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep R.L. Blah said, “We were informed that the residents of the state do not seek admission in IIM Shillong, in this way, most of the scholarships are not utilised. Khasi students pass from other IIMs but not from the state IIM.”

This meeting is slated to be the beginning of collaboration between IIM Shillong and community leaders to foster the development of the North Eastern Region.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the proposal to launch the Community Immersion Program (CIP) of IIM Shillong which aims to connect the students of IIM Shillong with the local community by immersing them in the culture, traditions, and values of the North East.

Students will spend a week living with the community, supporting local businesses and organizations with management approaches and interventions.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to work collaboratively on various initiatives, including creating awareness, offering career counselling, providing vocational training, implementing the community immersion program, promoting skill development, and fostering sustainability.