In a recent discussion between OneYearMBA reps and IIT reps, we came across one other key difference: IIT-Olin will be awarding a degree as opposed to a certificate awarded by ISB.

Also, you will graduate with a Joint Executive MBA degree from Olin and IIT while the ISB certification will not bear the Wharton brand.

From ISB FAQs – Is this a joint programme with Kellogg and Wharton? Will I get a joint certificate?

This is an ISB programme and the graduates of this programme get an ISB certificate. There is no joint certification issued with any other institution.

Hi Govind,

Since this is the first year of the IIT-Olin Executive MBA there is very little information to compare the two programmes on – some aspects we would have liked to look at are participant profiles, career outcomes after 3-4 years of participating in the programme etc.

Some positives for Olin – Olin runs a highly ranked Executive MBA in association with Fudan in China – this programme is ranked No.7 in the ranking of Executive MBAs by Financial Times. Here is a link to the ranking – http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/executive-mba-ranking-2014

So the programme seems to have a bright future with Olins in the loop. Given that this is the inaugural year, it might take a while for IIT and Olin to set the ball rolling in terms of coordination between the two organisations involved and streamlining processes, but it seems like the start of a promising programme.

However there are two aspects that are points of concern:
1. If you are keen in working on India, then ISB is a better known name in management education. PGPMAX and ISB have some recall in the market. Since you will be looking to leverage the brand name in your career the ISB brandname has an edge here in our opinion.

2. Fudan in China has a rich history of running a management programme – IIT’s are reletively new at the game and so its not an apples to apples comparison when we look at the two Executive MBA prigrammes which makes it hard to judge the outcome of this partnership. Additionally, IITs management programmes have largely been at the MIM level and have been focused at fresh grads. Teaching people with 15 years work experience is a wholly different ball game, which ISB, given its competency in running a MBA programme that accepts people with work experience might be better equipped for in terms of faculty, processes and course design.

It’s PGPMAX at ISB….

Hi govind, are you asking for a comparison between the olin Executive MBA with PGPMX (the executive MBA) at ISB or with PGP (the One Year Full Time Regular MBA)