IIM B MBA & PGP Toppers Lose Gold Medals on Ethical Grounds

The Hindu Business Line reports that two students from IIM B have lost out on their gold medals this year due to unethical conduct. An MBA (EPGP) candidate has lost out on the top award due to plagiarism while a PGP candidate was found guilty of marking attendance by proxy.  

As per Business Line IIM Bangalore (IIM B) will not be awarding gold medals to two of its students this year after it emerged that they had indulged in unethical practices.

The development comes days before the institute’s 40th annual convocation, which will be presided over by Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman of the Narayana Group of Hospitals.

The student who was placed second in the two-year post graduate management programme was not awarded the gold medal as a probe revealed that the student was marking attendance despite not being in class. Another student who topped the MBA programme (one-year full time EPGP) was not given the gold medal after it was found that he had plagiarised a part of his project.

IIM B says an enquiry panel was constituted and its report indicated that both the students were guilty of compromising on the institute’s ethics. Consequently it was decided not to give them any awards.

Speaking to Business Line, an IIM B spokesperson said the award of gold medals to graduating students every year is decided by a faculty vote. “When they vote, the faculty members consider not just the eligibility criteria of students but pay attention to the fact that as brand ambassadors of IIM-B, they must have a spotless record.”

“This year, the faculty body voted not to award the two gold medals,” the spokesperson pointed out. IIM-Bangalore, has had a near exemplary record with regard to its students. It is considered among the top management schools in India and Asia according to several rankings. (Source Hindu Business Line)