Human Resource Development minister Kapil Sibal said today that the government does not have any objection “in-principle” if the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) want to set up campuses overseas.

He said this after a meeting of the IIM council, the first after he took over in May this year. “IIMs are a global brand,” said Sibal. “The IIMs have a national commitment but we will not hold them back if they want to go international. We have in-principle no-objection to IIMs setting up campuses abroad.”

He said he had suggested that IIMs should join forces to set up these overseas campuses although the final decision rests with them — whether they want to do it alone or by joining hands. The IIMs will come back to the Minister with a proposal by January next year.

Sibal’s position is in contrast to that of his predecessor, Arjun Singh, who had in 2006 prevented the IIMs

to set up campuses abroad. IIM Bangalore had wanting to set up a Singapore campus in 2006, which was rejected by the HRD Ministry under Singh.

Sibal also said that the appointment of directors and board members of the IIMs will be done through an independent collegium from now on.

“The collegium will suggest names for appointment of the board members and the directors. The composition of the collegium will be from various spheres, from academia, industry etc,” Sibal said. He said that the number of members in each IIM’s board of governors will not be more than 13.  

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