An Interview with Prof. Manoranjan Dhal (EPGP – Chairperson), IIM - Kozhikode (IIMK)

Careerindia interviews Prof. Manoranjan Dhal of IIM Kozhikode regarding reskilling manpower in India, Indian Institutes of Mangement and more.

CI: Does IIM Kozhikode stand out compared to other IIMs? If yes, kindly elaborate.

Prof. Dhal: In the year 2001, IIMK conceived a new model of management education for working executives. Executive Management Education Programme (EMEP) marked the beginning of IIMK's Executive Education activities and IIMK pioneered management education through a synchronous interactive learning mode (IL) in the Asia Pacific region. Participants have the flexibility to choose the class room centers based on their city of residence or work.

With over a decade and a half years of experience in interactive learning methodology, over 3000 plus alumni from these programmes and the programme growing from strength to strength is a true testimonial to the success and industry acceptance for these programmes.

IIMK in association with Times Centre for Learning Ltd. has announced admissions to the 9th batch of the EPGP two year programme.

CI: What do you mean by reskilling? Brief us about its importance and need in India.

Prof. Dhal: With a population of 1.3 billion, of which about 0.8 billion are in the working age, youthful India is surely going to be the youngest country in the world. Between now and 2025 over 250 million young people are estimated to enter the Indian workforce, while only 5% of youth aged 20-24 have obtained vocational skills through a formal training system.

The existing educational system is not sufficient and effective enough to cater to the need of skilling India. India is facing an acute skill shortage (64%) and is placed second amongst most skill scarcity nations behind Japan (81%) despite having a demographic dividend.

CI: How can reskilling millions of Indian citizens be realised and how will it help India meet global standards and face the cut throat competition?

Prof. Dhal: Globalisation has increased the exposure of Indian Businesses to various methods and management techniques applied internationally. It also demands local skills to match or be even better than the global standards and competition.

The increased requirements from the industry for an efficient workforce added with increased aspiration of the managers seeking knowledge and improved exposure in management techniques augurs well for reskilling in India, which is a fundamental component of the skilling cycle.

CI: What perspective do IIMs hold towards the changing trend today?

Prof. Dhal: The number of seats in IIMs put together is not sufficient enough to cater to the need of management education in India. Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) pioneered the Interactive Learning mode in the Asia Pacific region way back in 2001, a new model of management education for working executives.

The Executive Post Graduate Programmes are the perfect option for working professionals and executives to enrich their skills and strategies to take their organizations to the next level around work. Admissions to the 9th batch of the EPGP 2 year Executive Diploma programme are currently open.

Apart from this, IIMK also offers the One year Certification programmes & executive Management Development programmes.

CI: Who are mid-career executives? What is an executive programme and why are the mid-career executives opting for it?

Prof. Dhal: Management is a science as well as an art. It requires multi-disciplinary approach to achieving various organizational goals. Mid-career executives are professionals looking at enriching their knowledge to grow within or outside their organizations. An Executive programme in management is the best option for one to do so.

With over a decade and half experience in the conduct of Interactive Learning programmes, there has been a steady increase in the number of mid-career executives opting for an Executive programme.

The rising aspirations of our youth who seek better jobs and higher incomes and the requirements from industry for knowledgeable & efficient work force coupled with the changing demographic profile of the country has increased the demand for executive MBA amongst working professionals.

The trend work life following education cycle has changed to simultaneous process of learning while doing. Increased monetary and personal commitments are also a major reason for the preference shift from a full-time MBA to an Executive MBA amongst working professionals.

IIMK association with TSW a part of Times Centre for Learning Ltd (TCLL) is an endeavour to cater to the rising demand in executive programmes among working professionals.

CI: What is the current scenario of executive programme in India and abroad? Does it add weightage to the portfolio of those who pursue it?

Prof. Dhal: Easing trade barriers and growth in the emerging markets has fuelled the demand of executive education and EMBAs. European and U.S schools are seeing a huge increase in demand for executive education. However, expatriation cost is much higher than managing the people locally wherever there is no skill shortage. India needs to gear up for not only increasing the skill supply but also up-skilling the existing working population in the changing market environment.

About Prof. Manoranjan Dhal:

Prof. Manoranjan Dhal has done his Ph.D. from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in the area of Trade Union and Labour Management Relations after getting awarded the Junior Research Fellow from UGC. He holds a master degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management from Berhampur University, Odisha.

He is working with Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode as (EPGP -Chairperson). Prior to joining IIMK, Manoranjan was working as Manager - HR for GE Capital and handled the functions of Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits Management, and Learning & Development.

In GE he was awarded as best retention manager, and special recognition award by HR Leader of Business Vertical USA for streamlining Payroll Process in Manila site. He was invited to conduct research on 'Labour Management Relationship in Japanese Automobile Sector' by Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training in 2015.

Prof. Dhal had started his career with KIIT School of Management in 2003 and had taught various courses in HR. He has several research publications to his credit. He was a consultant to MILControls Ltd, Peekay Steel Pvt. Ltd. Kerala State Electricity Board and Kudumbshree - Kerala Govt. He has conducted training programme in various capacities for companies like NTPC, Kerala Health Services, BEL, NHPC, IOFS, Indian Army, ECIL, KANAN DEVAN TEA, ASIANET, L& T - ECC, Department of Atomic Energy, DRDO, Reliance Industries Ltd., Indian Railways, Nuclear Power Corporation Ltd. etc.