MBAUniverse.com Executive Education Special: Interview with Dr Arvind Sahay, Chairperson of IIM-A's PGPX

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MBAUniverse.com News Desk |
August 3, 2016
To kick-off its new initiative, MBAUnivese.com Executive Education Channel for ambitious young executives, MBAUniverse.com interviewed Prof Arvind Sahay, Chairperson, Post Graduate Porgramme for Executives (PGPX) at Indian Institute of Management (IIM-A).

Prof Sahay has done his B.Tech from Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IIM-A. Has worked in the manufacturing sector, financial services sector and has done work in IT consulting. Over the last few years, at IIM-A, he has been instrumental in making IIM-A's PGPX a much sought after course amongst executives.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q- What is the relevance of Executive Education in India? Why is Executive Education gaining more popularity in India in recent years?
A- Traditionally, all education in India was done at one go including getting an MBA (a masters or graduate degree). Then one got a job and did not come back to "school" full time.

Over the last 5-10 years, with economic growth and increasing job opportunities, young professionals are getting into a job immediately after their bachelors or undergraduate degree. Some years (5-15 years) down the line, they feel a need for a good MBA degree from a good school to:

a. accelerate their growth
b. port their skills into a different market
c. get a quantum jump

Hence the increasing popularity of executive education in India.

Q- How do you differentiate between Post Graduate Program (PGP), which is the traditional MBA programme, and Post Graduate Program for Executives (PGPX) offered by IIM A?

A- The full time two year MBA program (Post Graduate Program) at IIMA is for young, very bright and hardworking candidates who are fresh or have upto 3-4 years experience. This is the equivalent of what the Europeans call a pre-experience master. Entry is through Common Admission Test (CAT).

While the one year full time residential Post Graduate Program for Executives (PGPX) is for very bright and hardworking experienced professionals (in practice more than 5 years of experience at least - with an average experience profile closer to 9 years). Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is one of the entry criteria. CAT is not accepted. The minimum age required at that time of joining is 27 years.

In a sense, if you have some good managerial experience, are above the age of 27, and are looking for that step jump or career change, come to PGPX at IIMA. If you are fresh or have only a little experience, come to PGP at IIMA.

Q- Coming to PGPX, how is the programme progressing? What have been some milestones...
A- The program has now begun to gain high levels of acceptance amongst corporates in India and abroad. When compare from the first batch of PGPX, the third batch has 11% women (up from 5%) - very creditable because it is harder to get women applicants in this age profile. The average GMAT is 724 (up from 699) making it, if not the highest, one of the highest in the world. The batch size has increased to 78 (up from 60). The number of applications has gone up to 1347 (up from 750). We achieved 100% placement for the first two batches with the second batch having an average salary of Rs. 26 lakhs. Both graduating batches have got CXO level positions...

However, just to flag, we also feel that some corporates still do not have the internal processes in place in order to recruit from and take advantage of PGPX candidates. Given that our PGPX graduates are getting excellent offers from many firms, we feel that some corporates are missing out on a hiring opportunity.

Q- What is the current batch size of PGPX? What kind of student profile do you have in PGPX batch of 2008-09?
A- There are total 78 students in PGPX for the academic year 2008-09. The average age of the candidates is 9 years. The average work experience that PGPX candidates have is 9.9 years while 4.6 years is the average international work experience. About 50 % candidates (40 candidates) are from IT and IT services.

Q- Now, PGPX has started attracting international candidates too.. What would be the reason behind this?
A- One reason is the India story. People outside are curious about India and they want to discover more about India. The second is the growing strength of the IIMA brand internationally. There were 21 international candidates in the PGPX last year which has now increased to 26 this year.

Q- Many organizations are also offering executive programmes through e-learning mode. How do you compare e-learning executive education programmes with PGPX?
A- This is like comparing apples and oranges. However, I will contrast the two.

Just like a Harvard MBA will thrive regardless of all part time e-learning programs so will the IIMA's PGPX (or any other top quality full time MBA for experienced managers). Typically, placement opportunities post a PGPX, which is a full time residential one year MBA, would be so far ahead of the placement opportunities possible through part time or e-learning programs.  

Full time residential programs offer the chance to form a close chart of people (your batch mates) that you can refer to for the rest of your life - this opportunity is limited or does not exist in e-learning and other part time programs.
The level of learning is far higher on a PGPX (which is a full time residential one year MBA program) compared to the lower levels on a part time or e-learning program less because of limited interaction with faculty and peers and the reduced amount of time available for learning. 

Q- What are some important future initiatives you are planning to take at PGPX?
A- Offer more elective choices. We expect more international participants and planning to expand the program. We expect PGPX to get into the top 20 programs in the world rankings. Further we would also improve placements.

Q- When does the academic year for PGPX start and what is the admission process?
A- The program starts in the first week of April every year. Applications are now already open for entry to PGPX IV, starting from April 2009. The last date for accepting applications is August 11, 2008. All applications are accepted online only and there is no application fee currently.

The potential candidates should have taken GMAT no later than August 10, 2008. GMAT scores that are upto 3 years old will be accepted. The minimum age of the candidate should be 27 years as of April 1, 2009 and he should have some "managerial" experience.

The criteria for admission include the quality and quantity of work experience, GMAT scores, type and quality of other activities, previous academic performance, essays, personal interview and in some cases recommendations.