Programs designed for working executives on weekends should be designed in sync with the requirement of the course participants. A fixed-schedule course cannot and should not be imposed on them. At IIM Raipur, I found the course structure to be good for a full-time PGP student but not really as convenient for working executives. A working executive needs tools for better decision making and personal enhancement.
In-depth knowledge is what you get from experience and not through classroom teaching. If the course is of short duration, then the course structure should also be shortened and sweetened. There are some subject stalwarts taking care quite sincerely but again the issue comes of time limitations.
The Marketing and Strategy faculties are par excellence but they have very limited number of sessions to be able to make the student learn fully. Although Its a new institute and moving ahead with a vivid vision of heights , so smaller glitches are always welcome for future clarity.
Attendance, in such a scenario, has become a nightmare for the executives. Many of them are unable to get written permissions for absence from their bosses (the bad and the ugly) and also come in the line of firing from wives and families. A little lightening of the burden of bookish environment and putting some practical work would boost the executives.
There are many positive aspects as well , the learning and the idea about teaching in elite B-Schools. Being a teacher myself, i have not only improved my own teaching but also innovated my teaching methodologies.
Being the student of the pioneer batch of PGPWE makes me feel more responsible for the future status of this course. The third batch is coming up in next few weeks , hope for an even better tomorrow for them.
DD