The Higher Education Review

Prof. Ramesh Behl, Director

Credited with building and transforming IMI Bhubaneswar to an institution of National importance, Prof. Ramesh Behl serves as the Director of the institution. He has over thirty years of teaching, research, and consulting experience; and has worked with premier institutions like IIFT, New Delhi, IIM, Lucknow and Statesman New Delhi. An International Accreditated Professor of International Accreditation Organization, USA, he sits on the Board of leading Business Schools and Technology Companies. He has conducted corporate training and trained over 8000 mid and senior level executives.


Recently, the news of MBA graduates being among the thousands of applicants for the post of peon in Madhya Pradesh High Court was in the highlight of several national news portals. This clearly spelled out the incapability of B-schools around the country of churning out graduates who are job-ready. With the pledge of creating 'employable' graduates, International Management Institute (IMI), Bhubaneswar was incepted in 2011 carrying forward the legacy of prestigious IMI-Delhi, which was set-up as the first corporate sponsored Business School of India in 1981. The institute strives profoundly to address the requirement of the recruiters from the very initial days.

From recruiting competent faculty to optimum industrial training facilities, IMI ensures the students receive a secure and bright future. The institute offers two-year full-time as well as part-time Post-Graduate Diploma in Management maintaining an international standard curriculum besides making Corporate Social Responsibility a compulsory course.

"Unlike early days when an MBA degree was enough to grab a job with a decent package, with the availability of more graduates, the industry now has raised their bar while selecting the right candidate," opines Prof. Ramesh Behl, Director and Professor, IMI. Given the unmatchable quality of education, soon after the establishment, in 2012 the State government of Odisha recognized IMI as a premier institution from where they would recruit management graduates for the State Public Sector Units (SPSUs).

"IMI has embraced every such thing that would develop the students into wholesome business grads of tomorrow

Due to the demand of students from around the country, the institute had to increase its intake from 60 to 120. The residential campus of the institute, which is located in a lush green 16-acre land amidst the pristine natural beauty of Bhubaneswar, houses learners from every corner of the country, promoting cultural diversity. The students get the opportunity to mingle and learn from their peers inculcating the values of teamwork and tolerance. "No matter from where they come or whatever their background is, our students are our responsibility and we do not lack behind to train them in the best possible manner," shares Prof. Behl.

There is a dedicated placement cell in the campus, which monitors the pre-placement training coupled with placement prospects of the students. The cell arranges robust activities like Mock GD, business thought leadership series, the debate on contemporary issues and so on. Students are encouraged for taking up live projects and undergo 6-8 weeks summer internship projects for intensifying their practical experience. Prof. Behl adds, "For the year 2017-18, the institution has achieved 100 percent summer placement with an average stipend of Rs. 8200 per month." Providing an education, which is directly based on the demand of the industry, IMI witnesses excellent placement records where prominent companies like GEP, Decathlon, HP, Britannia, Coffee Day and many more hire the students with an average package of Rs. 6.91 lakh per annum.

Meeting Industry Expectations

"In times of cut-throat competition

and the complex business world, having a strong industry-academia relationship works as an asset. We pride ourselves to hold a marvelous reputation in the industry," mentions Prof. Behl. IMI Bhubaneswar for varied purposes has academic tie-ups with EGADE Business School, Mexico; Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), China; ESC Rennes International School of Business, France; and Manhattan Institute of Management, New York, and the list hardly get an end. Additionally, the institute has signed an exclusive MoU with Vedanta Ltd. for Work Integrated Learning Program for middle to senior level executives. These associations largely help the students to get in touch with international faculties as well as business leaders in a regular interval.

The institute has embraced every such thing that would develop the students into wholesome business grads of tomorrow. Whether it is adopting the cutting-edge teaching tools or introducing students to research activities, the institute has indeed got the best of both the worlds. Here, the faculty members use pedagogical tools like a blend of case-based, role-play, hands-on simulations and lecture method to transmit knowledge to the students. Keeping research on point, IMI encourages the students and faculty members to participate in research projects. The institute recently organized 2-week AICTE sponsored FDP on "Multivariate Data Analysis for Advanced Research" wherein 51 faculty members from across the country participated.

Along with research, IMI also believes in honing the entrepreneurial skill of the students as there is a growing interest among MBA grads for starting their own venture. In collaboration with Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) and MSME Development Institute, the entrepreneurship cell of IMI conducts a number of workshops and certification modules and has till date trained over 250 participants. "Shortly, we will be setting-up the Incubation Centre at the campus of IMI. And as a long-term goal, we envision to develop socially sensitive, ethical, and value-adding leaders having the strong business acumen," summarizes Prof. Behl.