Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM-B) - Post-Graduate Diploma in Software Enterprise Management (PGSEM) - Orientation Class for 2008 batch

Now since I have decided to pursue the PGSEM program from IIM-B, it was very likely that I would definitely attend the Orientation class which has been organised for 2008 batch by IIM-B and PGSEM seniors. Orientation classes were to start from 30th May - 1st June (with 30th May being optional day) and these classes were overlapping the annual industry-academia event named LCube.

It was a great opportunity to meet, interact and know almost all the class mates, seniors and professors. I would say finally this aim was achieved but by the end of program there were some more realizations which have crept in the mind.

It was a residential program so the arrangements for acco had been made by IIM-B in the hostels. Well to tell about IIM-B campus as such (where I had been twice earlier - for alumni and faculty interview for PGSEM), just as u move off Bannerghatta Road and get into the campus the world completely changes (no I am not talking in spiritual terms). On the other side of campus i.e. on Bannerghatta Road, there still will be thousands of vehicles trying to capture and win every inch of road space which they can, dust all over the place and vehicle exhausts (pollutants) which you will be breathing (off course with some amount of oxygen for you to survive). But inside the campus it is serene and quiet environment. When first time I had visited I was trying to figure out whether there are any buildings or not as the entire campus is covered in green. I had liked the architecture, no high rise buildings in the campus, the building design in such a way that it merges well with the environment and trees and creepers inside the buildings (walkways etc).

This visit was going to be completely different from my previous visits. This time I was walking-in as a student of one of the most prestigious institutions in India - The IIM-B. It was a very proud moment for me and my father who definitely would have been watching me from heavens, something much more bigger than the one which I experienced more than 5 years back when I walked in Infosys Mysore campus as an employee.

So I was in 'the' campus and went straight to the hostel so that I can be ready for the session which was going to start at 8:30 AM. Well this time I had not trusted the train in bringing me on time and really the Mangalore - Bangalore buses are running on-time.

After moving in to the hostel room (not mentioning checking in as it was hostel and not hotel room), I started to decipher hostel life (I had never stayed in hostel either in school or in college). It was good. In the meantime had met some of my classmates too.

Day 1 - 31 May, 2008

After getting ready, moved towards breakfast area with my new found friends. After having light breakfast we had the welcome ceremony followed by the team building workshop. Since I have very recently attended the team building workshop I was enthu about this one too as it would be more of games and less of theory. I was conducted by Rahul Kapoor, who was very energetic guy. It was a good team building and ice breaking session where I got introduced to more of my batchmates (I would have loved to remember each of you guys name, but unfortunately that's going to take little more time). There were quite few good learning at the end which definitely are going to help in life.

Post-lunch it was time to go over do's and dont's, which is very important for everyone who is part of any institution. Till this time it was all well and then Prof. Shankar Venkatagiri, Chairperson - PGSEM, painted what initially looked like a terrifying picture of life (with work, life and PGSEM all together)which later I equated to a challenging life which I will be facing each day in life going forward. I think I should have been mentally ready for this earlier, after all it's IIM-B (I think name itself rings the bell) from which I am doing my post-graduation. I am really grateful (and I think all my other batchmates will be too), to Prof. Shankar for taking the eye-opener session. This was followed by couple of more sessions by professors on the subject (and mind you they are really among the best in the world). After this there was corporate quiz organised as part of LCube. Mostly realised that it would take some more effort from my side for studying all the subjects.

It was evening and when things looked like to settle (hopes of a great evening and sound sleep in night) we were given with the first assignment. It was a case study which was supposed to be mailed before 6:30 AM next morning. On the first day itself we were accustomed to the life of being in an IIM and it was great but little busy :). After dinner worked on the case study (and skipped the IPL semi-finals) and finished it before dosing off to sleep. Next day sessions were to start at 8:00 AM sharp (profs and seniors had already reiterated 'n' number of times how much punctuality is required from our side).

Day 2- 1 June, 2008

Woke up at 6:00 AM to be on safer side and got ready. After the breakfast when we reached auditorium we were in for a surprise quiz. It was on Quanta, score which I got made me realise how much I have lost touch with core subjects. Well during this quiz, it was really showed what punctuality means. The gates of the room were closed (as has been mentioned that some professors do this in class). Quiz was followed by case analysis which we had got last night. One of the groups were made to present there analysis on which we had discussion. Prof YLR Moorthy was great in the analysis and other points which he brought forward. Following the analysis was session on presentation skills by Rakesh Godhwani who is ex-PGSEMite. Only difference from other sessions which I have attended was that he has shown movie clips in this one to bring forth some of the points. After these sessions it was time to go through the core subjects, how and what to study in those subjects and question & answer by seniors who have scored 4 in those subjects. GPA calculation I am still not clear on, but as time passes I know I will get accustomed to it.

These induction sessions were followed by last event of LCube, keynote address by Mr. Som Mittal (President, Nasscom) and panel discussion on "DNA for the next generation of IT Leaders". In his address, Som presented lots of number and facts about where industry is and what the projections are. After his address it was time for panel discussion with good number of senior people (Mr. Som Mittal, Mr. Subash Menon [CEO, Subex Ltd], Mr. Sudip Banerjee [President - ES, Wipro], Mr. Vijay Anand [President - Server Tech, Oracle India], Mr. Jairaman [SAP] and Uma Balkrishnan [CEO, Axcend Automation and ex-PGSEMite ) . What lacked in them was real zeal what you see in panel discussions on TV channels. Probably it was late Sunday evening which might justify that, but in the end there were couple of good points to be taken from it. Mostly in the room it was our batch people only, not many from senior batches which was surprising to me.

Finally it was end of two days, with a nice dinner, which at least gave me a glimpse of what is in store for next 2.5 years. Life is going to be hectic including weekdays as the entire thing will surely test my limits everyday. That will be real fun :)

One blog which I am still writing is on my decision to join the course and "my" reasons.

Some more blogs on Orientation from Karthik and Pravin.