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What’s in a name? Plenty, if you take Union Minister for Human Resources and Development, Kapil Sibal’s latest drive in question, to get the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to start doling out degrees instead of diplomas. Sure, the move seems noble considering that in management studies, a degree is the preferred global stamp, but the fact that top rung b-schools such as XLRI, School of Business & Human Resources (XLRI) and SPJIMR – SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai (SPJMR) have been totally kept out of this change seems puzzling. Sibal has been wordless on whether he will extend the benevolence to other schools or let it be the prerogative of the IIMs only?

The schools not included in the plan are dispirited at being overlooked, the widespread sentiment being that quality is not being given its due. Fr E Abraham, director of XLRI told PaGaLGuY said that the government cannot ignore institutes like his, which strive hard to stay top in the rankings. We are talking about good schools and there is no reason why we should be left out when such a major change is being discussed. We hope that the government thinks of us as well because it is talking about changing things for the better in the higher education space and many schools besides the IIMs figure in it.

Prof Abbasali Gabula, Deputy Director, External Relations & Administration at SP Jain says that schools like his have taken note of the recent developments and hope that the change will extend to non-IIMs. Both, Fr Abraham and Prof Gabula say that some of the good non-IIM schools will think of making a presentation to the government in this regard. Frankly I do not see it as too much of an issue for the government to bring about the change. Possibly some amendments will have to be made in the law, added Prof Gabula.

Definition
Traditionally, in India, a diploma (except with regards to b-schools) is not considered up to snuff when compared to a degree. Even most Dictionaries don’t associate the word degree with anything educational. A degree is defined as a series of steps in a process, course, or progression; a stage: proceeded to the next degree of difficulty. Only Macmillans fourth definition of a degree reads as a course of study at a university, or the qualification that you get after completing the course. A diploma on the other hand is defined as a document issued by an educational institution, such as a university, testifying that the recipient has earned a degree or has successfully completed a particular course of study.

The law states that only universities formed by an act of Parliament can give degrees like BE, BTech, MBA. For this reason, institutes like Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies or Faculty of Management Studies award degrees since they are affiliated to Mumbai and Delhi University respectively. The Indian Institutes of Technology, are also permitted to award degrees because they are governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 and are listed as societies under the Indian Societies Registration Act. However, the IIMs were formed later as special autonomous grant-in-aid institutes offering higher degree level programs hence they were permitted to grant grant diplomas only. So far that is.

Will the change do the IIMs any good?

The fact, according to Dr Vijaya Katti, professor and Chairperson (Graduate Studies Division) at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, is that the IIMs are a brand by itself and a change as ornamental as this will be inconsequential. Does it really make a difference whether the IIMs give degrees or diplomas? How will it change things? IIMs are such a huge name anyway, she said adding however that a degree will make life easier for those pursuing doctoral programmes. Dr Gubala, to the same question preferred to quote Shakespeare. Whats in a name? he asked. The diploma given out by b-schools today is held in as much respect as degrees, was his take.

However, not all decry Mr Sibals move. Dr Pankaj Sinha, Associated Professor of Financial Engineering at the Faculty of Management Studies says that a degree is an important document and holds far more value than a diploma. A degree will help the IIMs to open more branches abroad. They will also be able to offer dual degree programmes which will increase their brand value tremendously. Finally an MBA is a masters degree, said Dr Sinha. The FMS faculty added that a degree will help those pursuing PhD whether in India or abroad. Oddly, most officials from the IIMs were disinclined to be drawn into the debate. A director from one of the top IIMs said that it is not an issue he would like to be associated with. A dean of another top IIM sad that he would prefer to wait and watch at this point.

Thankfully, Prof Debashis Chatterjee, director of IIM Kozhikode and Prof MJ Xavier, director of IIM Ranchi were a little more forthcoming. Prof Chaterjee clarified that the switch to conferring degrees was asked for by the IIMs and is not being forced by the HRD ministry as it is being made to believe. ” As for commenting on it, let’s wait for things to progress.” Prof Xavier said that the degree status will help IIMs to compete on a global front. More international students will come to the IIMs. World over, the diploma is not considered important. A degree raises the standard of employability whether in India or abroad. Prof Xavier also spoke about how the degree will brighten the chances of those wanting to go for doctoral studies post their MBA.

Agreed that the degree enjoys a far better status than a diploma but the reality also is that in a country like India there are numerous small and third-rung universities or university-affiliated courses offering an MBA degree. And these come in a package – sub-standard education and sub-standard faculty. The MBA degree sought from such institutes does little to brighten hopes or career prospects. In such a situation it makes double sense to pocket a diploma from a reputed b-school, than a degree from a third-rated one.

Student take

Harshal Modi who graduated from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management in 2008 with a degree says that there is nothing to differentiate one from the other. “I don’t think I held an advantage over others because I got a degree and not a diploma. What matters is from where you graduate from and the teaching there.” Harshal cited the example of schools which conduct two different courses – one affiliated to a university and offering a degree, the other offering a diploma. “The same faculty teaches both the courses and the facilities/infrastructure provided is the same for both the set of students, so how does the degree or diploma change anything? Harshal asks.