IIM-A was conceived not to be purely a business school, but a school of management. Its mission is to professionalize Indian management education through teaching, research, training, institution building and consulting. It also aims to professionalize some of the vital sectors of India’s economy such as agriculture, education, health, transportation, population control, energy, and public administration. One of the objectives of the Institute is to assist in the development of teachers, researchers, and trainers for management education.
In pursuance of this lofty ideal, the Institute launched a Program for Development of Management Faculty in June 1979 – now known as Faculty Development Program in Management (FDP). This is a 10-month residential program open to teachers, researchers, and trainers sponsored by educational institutions in India and abroad. Academics lies at the core of IIMA. There are many avenues for the all round development of a student here at IIMA, but it is the emphasis laid on academics which is responsible for the institute’s position as a top Asian business school.