Coronavirus Impact: IIMs Consider Online Interviews
IIMs are looking at conducting the pending interviews online as the ongoing lockdown due to COVID-19 might be extended further. They are also considering work from home internships for the students.
About half of the 20 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are looking at the possibility of conducting some of their pending interviews online to finish with the admission processes as the coronavirus lockdown is likely to be extended further after April 14. The IIMs shortlist the candidates on the basis of a common admission test (CAT) and then conduct group discussions/personal interviews for the final selection of candidates.
IIM Sambalpur, IIM Indore, IIM Lucknow, IIM Shillong, IIM Ranchi and IIM Kozhikode are yet to complete the interview rounds for their main MBA courses or the specialised ones. However, due to the uncertainty regarding the prevailing situation, 8-10 of the 20 IIMs have planned online interviews so that the academic cycle is not disrupted. IIM Kozhikode Director, Prof Debashis Chatterji said that while 97 per cent of the admission process at IIM Kozhikode has been completed, some interviews are pending for the two-year MBA due to COVID-19. And, the institute cannot ask a candidate to travel right now.
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Mahadeo Jaiswal, IIM Sambalpur director said that the interviews for the special gender diversity category are pending and can be conducted through Zoom or Skype. They are considering various aspects and having discussions in order to come up with a decision. Shailendra Singh, IIM Ranchi director mentioned that the interview for one of the courses was pending and conducting it online is an option. IIM Calcutta had also announced earlier it might conduct interviews online.
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The IIMs are also considering the possibility of work from home internship for the students. IIM Rohtak Director stated that his institute has completed the interview process but are now looking at the internships. They are also looking at reducing the internship duration by 2-4 weeks.