On 09th June IIM Kozhikode (IIMK) had launced a Satellite Campus at Kochi and as per them through this center ‘Executive Education’ will be the focus. Kochi campus will offer one year full time, two year part time and short-term programs targeted at middle and senior level executives
We are yet to see how IIMK would brand EPGP program which would be full time and EPGP offered via Interactive mode. As probably all of you are aware that all other IIMs offer EPGP as a 1 year full time residential executive course. So there is some confusion as to how EPGP IDL would be positioned in the market and how will classes be conducted for both.
http://www.iimk.ac.in/abtiimk/SatelliteCampusKochi/SatelliteCampusKochiLaunching.php
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/iimk-launches-satellite-campus-in-kochi/476892/
Vinay Bhutani Blog 
PARUL – Pretty big email indeed….. I have tried to answer whatever queries of yours in detail… I know taking a decision and spending 7 lakhs (that to your money from your own savings – after tax) and 2 years of your life studying is not so easy ….. sacrifices would have to be made… My advice to all is that if you want a role change/domain change and are ready to do full time then make that happen … be ready to sacrifice 1 year salary plus additional cost..but it then surely requires lots of study preparing and then getting admission. Case where you know you cannot devote time for CAT and cannot sacrifice your salary (surely you would have your own obligations too) and want to learn too and get branding than you have no other choice.. Go for this course 🙂
Q: Can the participants who have completed the EPGP register for Doctoral/Fellow Programme?
Ans: Applicants will have to meet the eligibility requirements of the Doctoral/Fellow Programme of the institutions where they are applying and these requirements vary from one university/institute to another. As of now, there is some uncertainty as the ePGP is of recent origin in the country and we hope that our Programme would soon be recognized as Masters equivalent.
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Last line is cause of concern : “hope that our Programme would soon be recognized as Masters equivalent.”
Concerns
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1) Does this –> “….hope that our Programme would soon be recognized as Masters equivalent….”
mean that this distance learning Programme is not considered as equivalent to MBA program, If so then diploma certificate which we get awarded (photo given in one of your previous blog) having details as “Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Management” doesn’t it mean that we are diploma holders same diploma which other 1 year full time executive IIMs gives (I have checked few other executive mba given by IIMs has same heading)?? (Also bit confusing in some of previous post we said that: we can apply for jobs which has openings for MBA in private sectors and not in gov. sector cos its not gov. recognized –> then doesn’t it indicates that this course is equivalent to MBA hence we are applying in private sector for MBA openings)
[VINAY] Yes it is not yet recognized by MBA equivalent by Government of India. In similar manner ISB 1 year full time MBA is also not recognized and similarly 1 year PGPMAX is also not recognized. However 99% of those who do this course are from private sector and there is no intent in going for Govt jobs it does not matter whether it is govt recognized or not. Industry recognizes it therefore companies like SAP, Patni, IBM and others sponsors their candidates for doing this course. Also as per professor Raju they are making all out effort to get this course recognized as well.
2) Any idea, Would we be in alumni of IIMK ?
[VINAY] Yes.
3) Your repetitive and clear posts helped me to understand that we cannot expect monitory benefits after completing this course but i suppose it would be of great benefit to all the followers of this site if any of us knows any benefits which our senior batch has reaped out of this course ?
[VINAY] Again you have to understand that there are no job opportunities / campus placement through this course. Which means you would have to enter into open market after doing this course. So essentially you cannot reap benefit of IIMK brand name. However this will help you prepare for interviews and give you confidence to take next role. However in meanwhile don’t expect that you could change line of business…i.e. change from IT to marketing or so because you would get only limited time to spend in studies – only 1-2 hrs a day while full time studies involve rigorous 10-12 hrs. I personally got benefited that I was able to crack two interview – 1 of which I didn’t join and other I am joining next month (Cap Gemini)
4) I also read that IIMK is going to have Kochi campus for satellite education and as website says :
”
Initially, the Satellite centre will be offering one year executive MBA program as well as two year part time programs in addition to a large number of short duration Management Development Programs.
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Any idea what offerings/benefits it is going to offer for 2 year part time programs?
[VINAY] I am not too sure of this. I would surely need you guys to ask this question from Director EPGP/Prof Raju and update all of us in the blog. I checked with IIMK but didn’t get much of response.
5) I also read that epgp batch 02-03 is forming placement cell and its in nascent stage, is it being done with help from IIMK or is it a self initiative?
[VINAY] We tried and created a web site as well but our initiative failed as it required dedicated effort from individual on voluntary basis. Working people like us have limited bandwidth and with job, office, home and studies it becomes difficult. In our batch we did collect Rs 3500/- each and formed placement committee as well but then it was difficult to spare time for people in placement committee.
6) I totally understand that individual motive to pursue this course should only and only be knowledge and to grow in current company with current role, but if in my company/sector growth is not dependent on MBA knowledge rather is more driven by :
No. of years of experience
Technical knowledge/expertise
Fr eg: I.T sector, many of manager/sr, manager/directors/sr. directors are not MBAs so how is this course help in these sectors? Then is it worth doing this course?
[VINAY] Knowledge can be acquired from anywhere. It is freely available and all we have to do is to tune our frequencies from where we can get it. Our ancient seers have got them while sitting at one place meditating… 🙂 It can surely be acquired while working on job but then job has to give that opportunity plus one needs to be on look out too…. However sometimes we get some knowledge from different places but don’t get a holistic view of an organization. This course would only formalize or define that structure… People who are in industry would be able to find the connect with what is being taught… you would understand that you indeed are following many of the stuff which is being taught in classes….. that why some of the classes become boring too as you already know the stuff or you know that you are not going to work on it again….. IT folks who are doing this course and are in project delivery has its own challenges as if you take sales/marketing/finance you would not find much relevance in IT… similarly for people whose domain is not supply chain Operations is also something which would not interest you …. So choices become limited…. But then if you have some bent of mind then choose course in which you want to learn more….
Your or any other inputs would be greatly helpful in making my move rather hundred of other people making their move