IBA admission and transparency
Adnan, Gulshan, Dhaka
This is in reply to Ms. Tanya Khan's letter with the same title published in The Daily Star on March 24, 2004. Though I will refrain, more out of a sense of courtesy than an apprehension of inappropriateness , from mentioning any idioms pertaining to the taste of grapes I am disheartened at the tone and the implications of the letter. It is not surprising that people/organisations abroad are constantly calling us corrupt. We ourselves are tossing around similar accusations carelessly with some degree of malice, some degree of resentment. An apt emulation of the clichéd political stunt of labelling an election 'rigged' every time a loss is handed to a political party of Bangladesh, Ms. Khan's hints at bribery and absence of transparency is uncalled for and may even be insinuated as being a consequence of the bitterness of failure. With very relaxed requirements for appearing at the initial written test, IBA provides an opportunity to scores of people to become successful managers of the future. With the same view, exorbitantly high, world-standard GMAT scores have not been made mandatory for applicants. Almost a staggering 40 -- 50% of selected candidates from the written exams are eliminated in the viva-voice stage. This combination of objective and subjective evaluation ensures the best possible intake for the IBA. Ms. Khan, since you are involved in selection, you will have some degree of understanding and experience of short-listing, selection and recruiting processes. Those who are screened out by you in the process do they come up and accuse your system of being corrupt? Do they express doubt in your capabilities? Or is it vice versa? For the benefit of the readers, I want to mention that, in a similar situation a few years back, the daughter of the (then) Director of IBA was eliminated in the viva stage and made to complete her Bachelors degree from a leading private university of the country. No special favours were offered. It is the strict and unyielding adherence to such principles that culminate in the rich intake and richer yet output of the Institute. Hence the seal of excellence by all concerned quarters. Every year, scores of highly successful professionals, managers and executives from the best of multinational, trans-national and local companies amongst others, try out for the country's best MBA programme at IBA. Unfortunately, not all of them make it. Yet IBA is fortunate that not all unsuccessful applicants cry 'treason' every year. Some of them try again in the years to come. Why? Because there is no alternative, no substitute to quality.
| 
