Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal

About College:

The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) was conceived in the year 1982 as it was realized that there was a requirement for a central institute catering to the diverse needs of the forest industry. The institute properly started functioning in 1984 with the start of training and management development programmes. The flagship Post Gradate Diploma in Forest Management (PGDF) was started off in 1988. Later other courses such as the Fellowship Programme in Management (FPM) equivalent to a PhD and the M. Phil programmes were launched. Over the years, a realization emerged that there was a requirement for further specialization even within this sectoral management course. Thus in 2008, from the 2nd year onwards, the students’ course got divided into further specializations of – Environment Management, Development Management and Conservation & Livelihoods. The seat capacity too has gone up as the acceptance for this niche course has risen. A new course was also launched in 2018 with the first intake to be for the 2019-21 batch. This course is Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Management (PGDSM). 

The aim of the institute is to promote business related to the forests, but within the guidelines of sustainability and environmental protection. In addition to the environment and the wildlife, much stress is also paid to the development needs of the indigenous communities whose livelihoods and traditional dwelling depends on the forests of India. That is why the clear balance in the specializations between environment, development and conservation. In addition to the specializations, there are even electives, from which students can choose multiple combinations. One can even minor in some field. 

IIFM’s faculty is one of its biggest strengths. They all have excellent academic credentials. The institute’s unique position set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) means that the intellectual capital is largely in demand for several government and private sector assignments. Faculty in addition to their teaching pressure, also dabble in multiple consultancy assignments. Government officers are often deputed to teach or work with IIFM so that students get inputs form people having worked at the grassroots. A lot of alumni also get engaged in projects with the faculty members after completing their studies. Faculty even regularly visit foreign countries to share their expertise. 

IIFM has frequently figured in the lists for the top institutions in the country, both for management as well as in the sectoral category. In the 2016 NIRF (National Institutions Ranking Framework) rankings, IIFM seized 8th rank. One the biggest draws for studying at IIFM is the campus. Its campus is spread over a vast 230 acres of land. This vast greenery and open spaces, makes it an ideal venue for intellectual pursuits. One feels the sense of being in a forest from the first day itself. IIFM has a field trip module as well attached, knowing the full importance of practical on-field immersion. The field trip is held once during the winter in both the years of the 21-month course. There is also a summer internship during the summer before the start of the second year. 

Students applying to IIFM, are often confused about the curriculum, especially when they hear the word forest. The forest hear does not mean tigers and lions alone. Indeed wildlife, nature and environment are key components. But in addition, the word management is crucial. So, the conventional management areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, accounts, economics, computers, communications and soft skills are all included within the curriculum. It is the perfect blend of quantitative and qualitative areas as well. For admissions to IIFM, one can appear for either the CAT or the XAT examinations as the pre-qualifying. Earlier, the institute used to hold its own entrance test, but now the national exams suffice. The cut-offs are based on the exam scores, and then students are further shortlisted for the GDPI round before a final list is selected. 

Due to the vast open spaces at IIFM, there is ample opportunity for sports and games. There are excellent facilities for pursuing football, cricket, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, volleyball among other sports. There is a fully-functional gym. The library is extremely well-stocked with some of the most sought-after academic journals as well as general magazines present plus huge stockpiles of academic material. The LIBSYS facility allows access to international journals online from students’ hostel rooms itself. There is also a perfectly running computer centre with latest software and systems installed. The entire course is fully residential, so students have to stay in twin sharing hostel rooms. The hostel is very well-equipped with a central common room as well. For food, there is the students’ mess which is run by students themselves on a cooperative basis. For corporate visitors, recruiters, government staff and management trainees, there are separate well-furnished apartments as well. 

There is a students’ council at IIFM known as SAAC (Students and Alumni Affairs Council) that looks into various affairs. There are several clubs and committees represented under this such as for Sports, Literary, Movie, Culture, Adventure and Nature. In addition, there are cells that organize national-level events at the campus. The placements committee looks after possibly the most important aspect in a management institute. The alumni committee is in charge of forging relations with the alumni. Due to the substantial history that IIFM has, its alumni base is extremely strong. Country heads for top international bodies, respected global academicians, entrepreneurs and corporate heads have all emerged from the institute. Due to the top billing within its own sector, excellent ROI, history of the institute and the physical infrastructure, IIFM remains among the most sought-after institutes in the country, especially in the central region.