2nd Open Day at IIMA for Under Graduate Students on August 22, 2015

2nd Open Day at IIMA for Under Graduate Students on August 22, 2015​

The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) hosted its 2nd Open Day on its campus on 22 August, 2015 as a part of its Community Outreach Program. The Open Day was initiated last year with the idea of connecting with the local community at large that IIMA isa part of. Last year, over 500 school students from across Ahmedabad visited IIMA. This year, the initiative was directed to reach out to under-graduate students. IIMA welcomed over 570 aspiring students from more than 30 undergraduate colleges across various streams from across Gujarat to get a glimpse into the well-known management Institute of India and to inspire the students of Gujarat.

Organized as a collaborative effort of post-graduate students of IIMA's programmes, the Open Day enabled undergraduate students from diverse educational institutes/colleges in and near Ahmedabad to experience and know the life at IIMA, as they spent time and shared space with IIMA students and faculty on the IIMA campus. It also provided the participating students an opportunity to learn about managing real corporate problems and get a perspective on career options available after management education.

Icebreaker sessions were used to kick start the sessions which allowed the students to mix up and interact with students from other colleges. Activities and simulations were specially designed for the undergraduate students to give them aflavor of the case-basedIIMA pedagogy. A simulation exercise of crisis management was executed where the students were sensitized about how real life corporate problems seem like. A live 'English Outcry' auction was conducted to make them understand the concept of relevance of game theory - the auction was enjoyed immensely by the participants. A session in marketing using Indian case examples intrigued the students and they participated quite enthusiastically in the discussions.

The academic sessions were followed by a campus tour where the students were shown the new campus and the heritage campus designed by the great architect Louis Kahn. During the tour, they were briefed about the history and stories of IIMA.

A panel discussion followed, which included current students of IIMA throwing light on their lives before IIMA, inside IIMA - the academic rigour and the extra-curricular activities, and what they expected from their lives once they graduated from IIMA. The discussions ranged from their lives in undergraduate schools, their passions and how they got to explore them at IIMA and how their lives have changed since they came here. The undergraduate students asked insightful questions in the Q&A - the most prominent one being, “What makes IIMA the no. 1 institute in the country?”. The students of IIMA in a split second attributed the success of the institute to their God-level professors, the structure of the curriculum and the helpful and brilliant peer group.

The Director of the Institute, Prof. Ashish Nanda, also took out time to attend the session and address the 570+ students. He was immensely impressed by the participation levels and the enthusiasm of the young students. He opened the floor for questions and students actively engaged in a discussion with him on varied topics - right from handling failure and criticism to the culture anda sense of 'belongingness' to IIMA. He also spoke about the various community education initiatives run by IIMA such as SMILE (Student Managed Initiative to Learn and Excel) and RTE Resource Centre.

The overwhelming participation by the female students was applauded by everyone.IIMA, being a proponent of women leadership, encouraged the female students to follow their life goals without any hesitation.

The students also took a moment to thank IIMA of giving them an opportunity to experience a day at IIMA. They were very impressed with the way the event was structured and how a proper decorum was maintained. A student went on to say that she thought that management was all about theoretical concepts but after going through the simulation exercise during the day, she realised that it is much more and has a very tangible practical relevance. Another student was surprised by the humility and humbleness of the students studying at IIMA.

All the students then had a photo-session together at the iconic Louis Kahn Plaza.The IIMA administration, Public Engagement Office and General Management & Leadership Cell which is a student run body on campus that organized the event thanked everyone for showing remarkable energy. By the end, students were seen taking pictures and uploading them on facebook and starting the trend '#IIMAOpenDay'.

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[Swaswati Borpuzari]

On August 22, 2015, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) hosted its 2nd Open Day for Undergraduate Students, a significant event aimed at providing prospective students with a comprehensive insight into the institute’s academic programs, campus life, and the vibrant community that thrives within its walls. The day was meticulously planned to cater to the diverse interests of the attendees, offering a range of activities and sessions designed to highlight the unique educational experience that IIMA offers.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from the Dean of Admissions, who addressed the gathered students, parents, and guests, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to fostering a learning environment that encourages innovation, critical thinking, and leadership. Following the welcome address, participants were given a detailed tour of the campus, allowing them to explore the state-of-the-art facilities, including the library, classrooms, and research centers. The tour was led by current students, who shared their personal experiences and answered questions from the attendees, providing a firsthand account of life at IIMA.

In addition to the campus tour, the Open Day featured a series of interactive sessions and workshops. These sessions covered a wide range of topics, from the application process and admission criteria to the various specializations available in the undergraduate program. Faculty members and alumni also participated, offering valuable insights into the academic rigor and career opportunities that await students who join IIMA. The day concluded with a panel discussion where current students and alumni shared their success stories and provided advice to aspiring applicants, fostering a sense of community and inspiration among the participants.

The 2nd Open Day at IIMA was not only an opportunity for prospective students to learn more about the institute but also a platform for IIMA to showcase its dedication to excellence in management education. The event successfully bridged the gap between the institute and the community, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended and setting the stage for a new generation of leaders to emerge from IIMA.