"Classrooms have been spectators to IIMA’s growth since the 1960s. They have served as catalysts, propelling the growth and fostering an environment conducive to learning and innovation."
Classrooms have been spectators to IIMA’s growth since the 1960s. They have served as catalysts, propelling the growth and fostering an environment conducive to learning and innovation. These spaces, over the years, have witnessed countless moments of inspiration, and intellectual exploration. Furthermore, we are thrilled to note the addition of a state-of-the-art New Academic Block on our new campus. This functional facility adds eight more classrooms, further enhancing our capacity to provide exceptional education. As also highlighted in our 60th Annual Report for the 2021-22, "all classrooms are networked and equipped with a projector, a PC and a DVD player. Some of these classrooms are equipped with a video conferencing facility as well. All the classrooms are equipped with new age technology-based AV facilities to conduct classes and sessions in Physical, Online and Hybrid modes. Uninterrupted power systems have also been installed to ensure uptime of power 24/7." This expansion signifies our commitment to continuous improvement and meeting the evolving needs of our students. But how did we reach this stage? How did we start in 1964 during the first PGP? When did we shift to the main campus, and what were the classrooms like at that time? When were the permanent classrooms completed on the main campus? When did we add additional classrooms, such as Academic Block 1 on the New Campus? And when were the new classrooms in the New Academic Block (Academic Block 2) completed? Our article aims to provide answers to these questions. "Since the Institute did not have a campus in its early years, flats belonging to the Gujarat Housing Board were hired to house the PGP students in 1964; the classes were held in the rooms of the Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association (ATIRA)" (Brick by Brick, Newsletter of the IIMA Archives, Vol. 1, Issue 1, September 2022, p. 8). That time, the institute was paying rent for these classrooms, as Prof. Vijaya Sherry Chand notes in Not Yet 25: IIMA in Louis Kahn's Designs and Pranlal Patel’s Images, by Vijaya Sherry Chand, IIMA Archives, January 2023 (VSC-NY25) "Halls were taken at the Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA) on an annual rent of Rs 5000 plus electricity charges, to serve as classrooms for the initial batches of the postgraduate programme that began in 1964" (p. 8). See figure 1 from the PGP inauguration, 1964 & Classrooms at ATIRA. Figure 1: PGP Inauguration, 1964
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