How premier B-Schools have been hit by the novel Coronavirus in India
While institutes asked students to vacate their hostel rooms, students were initially finding it difficult to catch trains and flights amidst the novel Coronavirus scare. But with all means of transport on hold till March 31, students are bound to stay back in their respective places.
Coming to their rescue, IIM Ahmedabad took an initiative to give their students an option of staying back. They could either head back to their respective hometowns or stay in the campus itself, the provisions for which would be taken care of, by the institute's authorities, as revealed by a student of IIM-A. Moreover, the dispensaries at the campus have been proactive in sending reminders for check-ups in case a student faces symptoms resembling that of COVID-19.
Another unfortunate news that struck the B-School community amidst the novel Coronavirus predicament was the cancellation of numerous summer internships. Many companies have rolled back their internship offers, leaving well-placed students internship-less. A dicey and unsettling situation for numerous students, colleges are compelled to get back on recruiting portals and LinkedIn to get internships for students.
Where a mere fortnight was left for many to travel to new places and begin working on their internships, dilemma hovers above their heads now, along with a question: What else is going to happen? IIM Ahmedabad has been fortunate in this context though. Companies haven’t withdrawn their offers but have opted to conduct their internships virtually. A few of them have also postponed the joining dates for internships by a week or two.
FMS Delhi, on the other hand, couldn’t save its students from the wrath of the disease. A few Consulting and Investment Banking firms which primarily had offered client-facing roles have rolled back their offers, leaving the students stranded. IIM Lucknow also faced a similar situation where some companies revoked their internship offers due to huge business losses caused by widespread disease - the novel Coronavirus. The others decided to host internships virtually.
Also, the companies who have an international set-up have decided to conduct internships in their domestic offices. Keeping the current scenario in perspective, the placement committees at FMS and IIM-Lucknow have been quite supportive. They have actively been looking for fresh internships to get their students placed again.
In respect to the final placement of the second-year students at IIM Lucknow, companies have chosen to defer their joining dates. Similarly, most companies of final year students at FMS Delhi have adopted to defer their joining dates by a month, shifting it to May. Where a few companies will reach out to students in mid-April and take decisions accordingly, others have postponed their joining until further notice.
The wheels of the world that were in constant motion until a few days back have come to a sudden halt. At FMS Delhi, all academic activities have been put on hold till April 15. Even the admission processes have been suspended until further notice. The first year exams have been pushed to a later date in June, while the second-year exams will be held once the college activities resume.
IIM Ahmedabad, however, worked in accordance with the suitability of the students, i.e., they were given a choice. If the students were willing to appear for exams which were to be held between 16 and 18th March, they could sit for them. The others, who were concerned about their health, could give their exams once the college re-opens. With all exams over before the bedlam overtook the country’s peace, the second-year students did not face any such quandary in regard to their exams.
But the plight of IIM-A students was evident when the convocation got postponed and they were handed e-degrees. Nonetheless, the authorities compensated for their loss by putting up pictures of the final year students within the campus. Also, as the session has come to an end for the second year students, the campus personnels helped in sending their belongings back to their respective homes. In addition, the Director of IIM-A, as noted by students, has been extremely responsive and has even responded personally to students, in case of discrepancies.
In these testing times, various institutes and universities are trying to do their bit to make things easier for students as well as the teachers and other staff members. From conducting online classes to making sure that every student on campus and off remains safe, the authorities have left no stone unturned.
Catering to the current scenario, Unstop (formerly Dare2Compete)has taken an initiative to provide internships to students who lost theirs. If you are looking for an internship or are a recruiter who would like to offer an internship, click here.
Let us all stand together (in our respective homes) and make a pledge to help each other and lift each other in these tough times. Take care.