There was a time when humanities students were considered good only for certain professions - like civil services and teaching. Things have changed now. Next month’s Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) will also have a new paper, Humanities and Social Sciences for Arts students. Those who clear this can take up studies in premier institutes of the country.
Arts students are also securing high ranks in CAT as well and securing admission to IIMs and other top management institutes.
IIMs and IITs are offering courses for arts and humanities students. This is especially so because humanities and arts subjects are being increasingly becoming part of management and technology learning. Also, the need for a more humanities-based approach is relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic redrew relationships and lifestyle totally.
Arts at IIM
The Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode (IIM-K) offers a PG in Liberal Studies and Management. IIM-K Associate Professor Anupam Das says the course intends to create managers with an underlying social consciousness. It is thought that the issues related to ecology and environment and the failing relationship dynamics in workplaces could be better addressed by managers with a humanities background.
The admission is on the basis of CAT, GRE, and G-MAT scores. It is a two-year course.
IIM-Bangalore is also planning to offer a BA in Liberal Arts. The IIM-Indore’s five-year integrated programme in management also places much stress on arts and humanities.
The Integrated MA (Development studies/English) programme of IIT-Madras is also a much-sought-after course.
The IIT-Gandhinagar offers an MA in Society and Culture and explores a lot of interdisciplinary areas. The last date to apply is January 31. IIT-Guwahati also offers an MA Development Studies programme.
It is to be noted that interdisciplinary courses are altering learning altogether and equipping students to take on new challenges. More and more colleges are starting to offer such courses and it is not limited to IIMs and IITs. It is also an indication that the world is not just in the hands of the tech geeks and the management experts.