For the first time, corporate executives would be able get an opportunity to take management lessons from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management sitting in their own offices — thanks to a broadband video link with Ahmedabad-based professors.

Under the plan developed by IIM-A and technology major NIIT, a two-way video streaming process would enable both the instructor and student to interact through live video and audio media.

The instructor will operate from an in-house designed studio located at IIM-A and the students would undergo an interactive session, through live video and audio and other technology enabled learning mechanisms. This will enable the instructor and students to connect on a realtime basis.

Delhi-based NIIT and IIM-A signed the agreement today. As per the agreement, while IIM-Ahmedabad will provide management content while NIIT will provide the technology for delivering the programmes.

Through this alliance, IIM Ahmedabad will initially offer two programmes in the areas of general management and strategic business communications. The general management programme of six months has been specially designed for practicing managers with 6-10 years of experience. The course, costing Rs 1.8 lakh, would start in October this year.

The strategic business communications programme for which five years of work experience is required begins in November 2006. The course will cost Rs 50,000.