IIM-Lucknow undecided over increase in seats

Lucknow, June 13 : Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (IIM-L) is yet to decide whether to increase seats from the next academic session.

This comes against the backdrop of the Centre's proposal for 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in premier educational institutions and increase in the number of seats to offset any loss to the general category candidates.

IIM-L Director Prof Devi Singh told UNI today any decision on the issue could only be taken after considering several factors.

''...it cannot be an isolated decision and has to take into account several factors related to academics such as faculty, infrastructure and logistics,'' Prof Singh underlined.

He maintained that right now the IIM-L was looking at ''these factors'' rather than taking any outright decision on the matter.

''... This is the kind of exercise we are at,'' he remarked.

A meeting of the IIM-L Board of Governors last week also could not decide if seats would be increased from 2007.

''Next month, we have another meeting and the issue could be discussed then,'' he informed.

IIM-L already has one of the highest ratio of student intake vis-a-vis faculty strength, Prof Singh pointed out.

''We have a faculty strength of 60 compared to 90 odd at some other IIMs...'' he maintained.

Recently, IIM-Indore had said the Centre's decision over OBC quota in higher education would be followed by the institution.

IIM-I Director S P Parashar said he felt the quality of education would not suffer with the increase in number of seats.

He informed the number of seats was being increased from 120 to 180 in 2006-07 as per an earlier decision and if the government wished, the number of seats would be increased further.

UNI