In this exclusive interview given to Siliconindia.com Educators' Digest, Dr. B.S.Sahay, Director, IIM Raipur talks about the institution's locational advantages and much more.

Prior to taking charge as Director of IIM Raipur, Dr. Sahay was the Director of leading B-school MDI Gurgaon. At MDI, he has also served as its Dean (Research & Consultancy), Chairman – FPM Program, Chairman - Graduate Programs and Professor of Operations Management. He is credited with the transformation of another leading B-school IMT Ghaziabad into a leading institute, where he served as the Director before joining MDI.
 
Dr. Sahay did his B.Tech from BIT Sindri, M.Tech and Ph.D in Industrial Engineering from IIT Delhi. He is on the editorial board of 8 international journals and is the founding editor of International Journal of Value Chain Management and guest editor of other leading foreign journals.
 
Excerpts from this exclusive interview:
 
Q: From IMT Ghaziabad to MDI, both private management institutions where you were the Director, to becoming Director of IIM Raipur, what has this shift been like? What are the strengths of both? 
A: Both have key strengths. MDI focuses on research, providing new incentives for doing research and encourages publishing research in the top management journals. IIM, as we know, is a most powerful brand in India. It is synonymous with quality and the zeal to do something. Naturally, the expectations are high. The Government of India has welcomed open discussions for taking big plans and initiatives forward.  
 
Q. How do you see the challenge of setting up a new IIM? Is it a daunting task?
A. Well, as an individual, I love challenges. I think accepting new challenges is a way of growth in life, and I actively seek challenges. That’s what I have done in my previous two assignments at MDI and IMT, and that’s what I am seeking to do here. At IMT the challenge was to make it an integrated management institute that does consulting & research, rather than just focus on teaching. At MDI, which is an institute of eminence, I focused on promoting research in a big way. We developed a new research policy to promote research. And I can honestly say that I gave my best to further improve these institutions. Now at IIM Raipur I have taken on the challenge to create a foundation for a world class institution. And I assure you I will give it my very best!
 
Q: At IIM Raipur, what has the first year been like in terms of challenges, first student batch and overall experience?
A: My focus was to convert challenges into possibilities so that IIM Raipur delivers what it has been created for – to become a world class institution with the best quality students and faculty. We started the first batch in October 2010, without diluting the quality of academic standards. 
 
Q: What, according to you, will be the USP of IIM Raipur?
A: World class research that is relevant to the state and to the nation. Research should not be used as a cosmetic by B-schools. At IIM Raipur, every effort is made to focus on research.
 
Q: What about Raipur as the location – your thoughts on some location based challenges?
A: Chhattisgarh has many advantages that benefit us. Firstly, it is a power surplus state. It is rich in resources such as mining, forest and so on. IIM Raipur will promote research that is specific to the state’s unique characteristics as well. When the state grows, the nation grows.
 
Q: What is the status of the IIM Raipur permanent campus? When will it be ready?
A: Our campus will be ready in another 2-3 years.  
 
Q: Will IIM Raipur focus on global partnerships?
A: Right now, it is too early to talk about this. Also, I believe that the quality of global collaborations is more important than the number. We are in the business of creating knowledge and IIM Raipur will focus on delivering quality. 
 
Q: The first batch size was 70. Will there be an increase in intake this year?
A: IIM Raipur is happy to have got the best students in the first batch itself. Regarding this year’s admissions, four of the IIMs will be discussing about it among other things. We will be able to confirm after the discussion. However, the number of students’ intake is likely to be the same.
 
Q: What does IIM Raipur look for in candidates?
A: Besides the minimal percentile requirement of 90%, we look for quality, academic excellence and passion.
 
Q: What values do you believe that are a must-have in students who pass out of B-schools? 
A:  They should have passion. I believe that if you are not passionate about your work, don’t do it.
 
Q: What are IIM Raipur’s plans for the coming 5 years?
A: Besides publishing in top management journals, we want to promote research. We will strive for developing international exposure and strengthening our linkage with the corporate industry, government and society. We will also establish a Center for Excellence in Research Management, with government support.