IIM-A to set up seamless campus in Hyd, says AP govt

IIM- Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has decided to set up a satellite campus near Hyderabad. A decision to this effect has been taken B-school’s board meeting held on June 24, according to government officials.

IIM-A has decided to set up a strategy committee next month to look into the various aspects of setting up the satellite campus. This would be a seamless campus and the IIM-A will make the admissions for it. The faculty will be part of the IIM-A. “This is IIM-A in Hyderabad not IIM-Hyderabad,” an official clarified

Andhra Pradesh former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had earlier written to the B-school’s management urging it to set up a campus in the state. He had then promised to give 150 acre near Hyderabad for the proposed campus and also, if necessary, arrange an interest-free loan to the tune of Rs 100 crore.

However, the proposal had been on the back burner following the death of Reddy in an helicopter crash in September 2009.

The present chief minister, K Rosaiah, has written a letter to IIM- A management again on May 31, 2010, reiterating the old commitment of the state government. Following this, the B-school is stated to have decided set up a satellite campus here.

“We will facilitate the same by allocating necessary land and providing required support for realisation of the IIM-A seamless campus initiative,” Rosaiah said in a letter to Vijaypat Singhania, chairman, board of governors (IIM-A).

“Having a campus (IIM-A) in the state will give a decisive advantage to your students and faculty in terms of exposure to new sectors as Hyderabad hosts vibrant IT hub, biotech valley, pharma industry and financial services besides being home to many infrastructure companies,” the chief minister said.

The new seamless campus, in course of time, should be larger than its current campus and should be complementary, modern and futuristic.

The state was encouraging management, science and technology institutes to set up their campuses in the state to create skilled manpower base to sustain higher economic growth. The state has already invited Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, CMC Vellore, Birla Institute of Technology (Pilani) and others.