IIM-Calcutta (IIMC), which has been conducting PGPEX (Post Graduate Programme for Executives) programme for the last eight years, has reduced its contact hours by 15 per cent to 690 hours in an attempt to make the course more attractive for prospective students.
PGPEX is a one-year programme offered by IIMC to for the middle and senior level executives. Contact hours involve physical attendance by students for classes.
“To make PGPEX more attractive, we have offered more optional courses so students will have more options to choose from. It also continues to give emphasis on soft skills,” he added.
PGPEX provides a combination of theoretical knowledge, innovative problem solving skills, orientation of ethics and human values, case discussions, experience sharing and networking opportunities.
Batch strength Pal said the strength of the current batch stood at 50, with functional areas as varied as oil and gas, power and renewable energy, mining, steel, manufacturing, NGO, banking and finance, IT and IT services.
The average GMAT score is 702 and average experience eight years. There are three female students in the batch, four post-graduates and 45 engineers. Science and arts graduates are three each in the batch, said Pal.
An IIMC team was in Bangalore to clear the doubts of aspiring candidates and offered an opportunity to meet the faculty and alumni and discuss the programme details, admission processes, and expected takeaways from the programme.
Global acceptance Talking about the changes made in the last few years, Pal said, “The programme has evolved a lot since its inception in 2006. Over the past seven years, we have made changes in the programme’s policies, infrastructure, and processes. Our application process has gone online and we use Skype to interview overseas applicants.”
On global acceptance of PGPEX, Pal said, “About 66 per cent of the batch has international experience. The average international work experience of our students is 14 months.”