IIM-Nagpur embarks on early Rs 227 crore expansion amid student, activity surge

Nagpur: Buoyed by the rapid growth in student intake and academic activities, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur has started early campus expansion under Phase II to rev up infrastructure to meet the growing demand.

Under Phase II, IIM-N has prepared a Rs 227 crore project to build 280-room postgraduate hostels, a separate library, 100 rooms for executive MBA professionals, a dining hall, and a classroom complex as the existing facilities are falling short and hindering different residential learning programmes.

Its director, Bhimaraya Metri, said IIM-N is among the first third-generation IIMs to execute its Phase II campus expansion so early. The institute started in 2015 from a makeshift facility at VNIT and shifted to a permanent campus in 2021 at Mihan.

"Most of the other third-generation IIMs are still functioning from makeshift campuses. IIM-N has the largest campus, even bigger than the older ones. This campus came up in record time and is now marching towards top positions on several fronts," he said.

Under Phase II, the 130-acre campus in Mihan-Sez will see the development of 55,000sqft of infrastructure. Out of this, initial works on 25,000sqft, including a 280-room PG hostel, accommodation for executive MBA professionals, new classrooms, and a separate library and dining hall, are being taken up. These works are being completely funded by IIM-N, Metri said, adding that the rest of the 30,000sqft works will be taken up later in Phase III.

Phase I was partially funded by the Union ministry of education. The early expansion was necessitated following a sudden surge in student numbers in the previous intake. As of now, the institute has 360 students in the first-year MBA batch, 260 in the second year, and 130 executive MBA professionals, besides PhD scholars.

"The student number would gradually go up to 1,170 as per the plan. Our acceptance rate shot up to 92%. We convinced around 40 students to defer their joining to the next academic year. Over 400 offers were made, and almost all were accepted. Finally, we accommodated 360 students," Metri said.

The premier B-school runs different programmes for corporate and govt institutions, schools, besides 18 types of certificate programmes, which require staying on the campus by visiting participants and learners. Running short of space, the IIM-N administration has been forced to limit the number of participants or initiatives, Metri said.

The extended facilities would be completed in the next two years. "The appointment of a project management consultant and the tendering process is under way," he said.

A STEP BY STEP LADDER TO SUCCESS

Phase I: 61,000sqm was constructed at a cost of Rs 279.68cr

Phase II & III: 55,000sqm planned with an approx cost of Rs 60cr

* Stage 1 of Phase II will be 25,000sqm with an estimated cost of Rs 227cr

* Stage I will see a student hostel of 280-room capacity, executive hostel with100 rooms, a dining hall, classroom complex, and library & allied facilities

* Total student capacity for Phase I, II & III planned for capacity of 1,170 students

* Golf Academy for training at IIM Nagpur has already been established

* 2MW Solar park planned with funding by MahaTransco