AIU Approved PGDM Colleges in India vs Non-AIU Approved PGDM Colleges – Which is the Best Possible Option for Management Aspirants? Many Management Colleges/B-Schools/Institutes in India have been flaunting their AIU Approved PGDM Programs, while other Institutes attempt to convince the students about their insignificance.
EurAsian Times analyses the actual role of the AIU, their comparison with MBA and AICTE PGDM, and list of colleges/institutes approved by the AIU in major cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and rest of India.
History of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
The Association of Indian Universities (AIU) acts as a centre for Indian Universities which started according to the recommendations of Saddler Commission-1917. The Commission suggested creating an inter-university board for maintaining a prim relationship and coordination between the universities. So the board took final shape in a conference of the vice-chancellors of Universities convened by the then Viceroy of India at Simla in 1924.
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The Inter-University Board (IUB) of India consequently established on March 23, 1925, to advance university activities, by sharing information and co-operation in the areas of education, culture, sports and allied areas. The Board acquired legal status with its registration in 1967 as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. In 1973, it found its contemporary name “The Association of Indian University (AIU).
Association of Indian Universities (AIU) – Key Objectives
To serve as an Inter-University Organisation and act as a bureau of information to facilitate communication and coordination and mutual consultation amongst universities.
To act as a link between the universities and the Government and to co-operate with other universities or bodies in matters of common interest and act as the representative of universities of India.
To promote programmes as would help to improve standards of instruction, examination, research, textbooks, scholarly publications, library organisation and such other programmes as may contribute to the growth and propagation of knowledge.
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To help universities to maintain their autonomous character and facilitate student mobility and exchange of members of the teaching and research staff, sharing of infrastructure, joint-research projects and publications between universities at home country or with the counterparts abroad.
To assist universities in obtaining recognition for their degrees, diplomas and examinations from other universities besides undertaking, organising and facilitating conferences, seminars, workshops, lectures and research on various themes pertaining to higher education.
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To establish and maintain organization dealing with youth welfare, student information services, cultural programmes, adult education and such other activities as are conducive to the betterment and welfare of students or teachers and others connected with universities.
AIU Approved PGDM Colleges In India – Process
The process of granting AIU approval to the two year full-time PGDM was suspended due to the critical observation by the one-man Committee constituted by the MHRD.
According to the committee, the AIU Approval must only be given to those PGDM programmes that are of very high quality and standards. It was also felt that the AIU must ensure utmost objectivity, speed, transparency and consistency in its approach and methodology for granting equivalence.
Conditions for AIU Approval for PGDM Colleges
The PGDM Programme has been duly approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi;
- A Minimum Two Batches of the programme must have passed out successfully.
- The PGDM programme has been duly accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA);
- The equivalence to the PGDM programme meeting the above conditions be granted for the period for which the NBA accreditation is valid
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The Institute has applied for the AIU equivalence and has furnished all the required information/documents as prescribed by the AIU;
- The PGDM Programme has been duly approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), New Delhi;
- A Minimum Two Batches of the programme must have passed out successfully;
- The PGDM programme has been duly accredited by the National Board of Accreditation (NBA);
The equivalence to the PGDM programme meeting the above conditions be granted from the date it has become due and further for the period until their NBA accreditation is valid.
AIU Approved PGDM Colleges – Is it Worth?
Directly, the AIU has no role to play in your PGDM Program (unlike the AICTE – which recognizes the PGDM program). The AIU Approval is vital for only those students who seek to pursue a PhD Program from selected Indian Universities or apply for Government Services (for which a student anyhow has to apply for a separate examination since the graduation score is the eligibility criteria and not the master’s program).
However, even without an AIU approval, you can pursue your PhD from top business schools like IIM, ISB, MDI etc, as these institutes do not need an AIU.
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In Terms of Placement for PGDM Students, there is No Conclusive Evidence that suggests a PGDM Program with AIU approval benefits the prospects of employment. In fact, the highest-rated Business School in India, the Indian School of Business (ISB-Hyderabad) is neither AIU nor AICTE approved.
In fact, all the IIM’s, which accept CAT Scores well over 98% are not AICTE approved but continues to draw the most attractive packages in the country.
Even though the AIU approval is an addition to a PGDM Program, but this does not give any definitive advantage over others and thus should not be the deciding factor when selecting a Business School, especially when you are keen to enter the corporate sector.
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