Briefly, what is the admissions process followed at DoMS, NIT Trichy (NITT) and what are the specific weightages allotted to the different components of the process?

All aspirants necessarily need to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) after which they can apply to DoMS NIT Trichy. After screening the application forms we call the suitable candidates for GD-PI. During the GD-PI rounds, the candidate is evaluated by a panel of experienced faculty members and industry experts. The evaluation is based on the candidateas personality, communication skills, confidence level, and ability to grasp, conceptualize and present the subject in a meaningful manner. The CAT score is given a weightage of 70 percent while the remaining 30 percent is equally distributed between the rounds of group discussion and personal interview.

What is the CAT cut-off percentile required to secure a call for group discussion and personal interview? The 2008-09 placement report states that over 50 percentages of students have work-experience. How important a role does work-experience play in the admissions process?

The CAT cutoff percentiles at NITT for MBA programme vary each year and the cut-off is different for each of the eight categories as defined by the Government of India. For instance, in 2008 the CAT cut-off to secure a call for GD-PI in the ‘Other State Open Category’ was 84 percentile. A good proportion of students have work-experience ranging from one year to five years and these students provide valuable inputs to peers and faculty.

What is the total number of seats for the MBA program offered at NIT Trichy and how many applications does DoMS, NIT Trichy usually receive in a year? What is the ratio of calls given to seats available?

The student intake for the 2007-2009 admissions was 60. The number of seats has been increased gradually after the Supreme Court passed the order regarding seat quotas for Other Backward Castes (OBCs) at Indiaas b-schools. DoMS, NITT receives approximately 1,000 applications and about 350 students are called for the GD-PI screening which this year is being conducted at NIT Trichy, IIT Chennai and also IIT Delhi.

The MBA program at DoMS, NIT Trichy was established in 1982 while MBA courses at most Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) were set up in the 1990s. How would you compare the growth and development over the years of the MBA program in place at NIT Trichy with MBA at the IIT schools of management?

The IITs and NITs have their unique ways of providing quality education. The rate of growth of IITsa management programme and the MBA course at NITT is not very different. Both IITs and NIT Trichy are funded by the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD). We plann to grow drastically in the coming years.

Compared to the philosophy followed by the IIT schools of management, the MBA at NIT Trichy is open to applicants from all backgrounds and not just to engineering and science graduates, as it is in the IITs. Why?

DoMS NITT has a good percentage of engineers but we believe in versatility too. Hence we select cream students from all strata and cover all educational backgrounds. We give an equal chance to non-technical undergraduates to become efficient managers. These students from diverse fields add to the knowledge diversity of the batch by effectively using the tool of knowledge sharing.

What were the maximum, minimum and average compensation figures for the last graduating batch from NIT Trichy? How has the global economic slowdown impacted campus recruitments for MBAs and have any measures being taken as a result of the slowdown?

The maximum, minimum and average compensation packages for 2008 batch were around Rs 9 lakh, Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 5 lakh per annum respectively with 100 pc placement. Even the current batch of students is being placed in reputed companies and securing good compensation packages. The economic slowdown has had some impact as is the case at other b-schools but we are tackling the situation by contacting more companies this year.

Given that NIT Trichy is primarily known for the undergraduate engineering course and the engineering placement cell usually plays a role in approaching companies, how difficult is it to project the MBA program of its own accord?

DoMS NITT is among the few b-schools which have enjoyed 100 pc placements over the years in the reputed companies and our students are doing well both in India and abroad. Some credit for this goes to the placement cell as it knows the needs of management students and responds accordingly.

How does the MBA at NIT Trichy compare with MBA programs offered at other NITs (Durgapur, Calicut and others)?

DoMS NITT is a premier b-school among NITs and we initially started with the Master of Engineering (ME) programme in management. The institute secured accreditation for management studies as we were judged to have the capability and facilities for the program. DoMS NITTas differentiation is that it has a very strong industry orientation with a series of events where eminent dignitaries from the corporate world come and share their knowledge, ideas and experience with the students. The objective is to make students aware of the latest developments and issues in the industry. There are six Continuum Club activities (each focusing on one MBA function a Finance, Data Analytics, Systems, Marketing, Human Resources, and Operations), a series of leadership lectures by our distinguished alumni and others. The most important aspect about these events is that they are all organized by students and faculty and thus provide a great interaction and learning platform. The institute has 15 full time qualified faculty members to keep students engaged.

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore has announced the closure of its MBA program this year? What do you think is the future and feasibility of MBA programs offered at non-management institutes?

The IISc may have had a different objective as an institute but we are committed to offering and continuing the programme with the objective of giving even better results. Feasibility of an MBA program does not depend much on whether the institute providing the MBA course is a primordial b-school or not. The quality of input and whether it is of international standard is what matters and we are bound to sustain our growth.