Spreading their wings abroad might have become a taboo for the IIMs, but partnering with foreign B-schools is still on the cards. The Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad and Bangalore may soon be entering into a partnership with the Fuqua School of Business and Duke University to provide non-degree executive MBA programmes. Fuqua has been rated among the top non-executive MBA programme providers. The joint programme may start in September.

Professor Douglas T Breeden, dean, Fuqua School of Business, told ET that besides the non-degree open enrollment programmes, he was also talking with his counterparts at IIM-A and IIM-B for offering customised short-term management programmes. “Fuqua has two such programmes — the advanced management programme for top-level executives and programme for management development for mid-level executives. In the past, we have conducted such customised programmes for LG, Deutsche Bank and PricewaterhouseCoopers,” he said.

The Fuqua dean hopes that together, with two of India’s best management institutes, they will be able to cash on India’s need for executive management education. Explaining the rationale behind joining hands with the IIMs, he said that their experience in Germany showed that a local quality partner helps attract quality participants to the programme. Professor Bakul Dholakia, director IIM-A, said that the institute was considering the proposal actively. He does not see any issues being raised by the ministry as the joint programme is for non-degree executive MBA programmes.

Professor Breeden also hoped that this would be a first step towards greater interaction between the schools, which would include exchanging students for the full-time MBA programme. Such a partnership already exists with IIM-B and he hopes that the exchange programme with IIM-A will be underway from the next academic year.

(The Economic Times)