I-schools to be the next big thing

THE ECONOMIC TIMES NEW DELHI: Information overload and a virtual absence of formal training and infrastructure for information managers are posing a big challenge for companies globally. Most companies are today willing to put a hefty premium on qualified information managers who are hard to come by. No wonder the education fraternity has been quick to spot an opportunity to churn out those much needed information managers.

I-schools began springing up four-five years back and it got a formal platform only last year.

The US boasts of institutions such as Berkeley School of Information, School of Information Science and Technology, Penn State, Michigan School of Information and Pittsburg School of Information have become the hub for the information architects.

India is getting its first I-school — International School of Information Management (ISIM) at the University of Mysore.



I-schools, or information schools, are tipped to be the next big thing in the knowledge economy, after B-schools. The logic behind it is that the country, which is witnessing an industrial revolution of sorts, is in need of information managers.

A novel idea globally — I-schools began springing up four-five years back — and it got a formal platform only last year, through the first ever I-conference held in Pennsylvania State University. Today, the US boasts of institutions such as Berkeley School of Information, School of Information Science and Technology, Penn State, Michigan School of Information and Pittsburg School of Information, which have become the hub for the much needed information architects.

Not to be left behind, India has made a quick plunge into the movement and is getting its first I-school — International School of Information Management (ISIM) at the University of Mysore. Being set up in collaboration with, International Institute of Information Technology, University of Pittsburgh and Informatics India, it will train students in all aspect of information handling — internet technology, data mining and data warehousing, natural language processing, project planning, scheduling and management, information management and security.

Until recently, the lack of dedicated institutions in this area led domestic companies to produce their own information experts. “Till now data mining or engineering courses (which are just a part of information management) were being offered as electives in some of the premier institutions of the country, but with the setting up of an I-school, we can have a much more focused approach and quality information managers,” says Prasad Ram, chief technology officer, Yahoo! India.
Adds Shalini R Urs, director, ISIM, “In today’s world, where loads of data is being generated every second, we need competent information managers to stay ahead of the competition. So there is a huge demand for data mining, data analytics, informatics experts or people from similar background who can decipher data in any form.”

Amid all this, companies are pampering the new information czars. Whether it is the technology blue chip Infosys or manufacturing giant Tata Steel, information managers have become indispensable for all to make an informed decision. These chief information officers, or CIOs, not only earn at par with software engineers but, at times, command a premium and earn a package that is 15-20% more than software engineers.

Says Mr Ram of Yahoo!, “At the entry level, they can earn anything between Rs 2-10 lakh, which can go up to Rs 4-15 lakh with 3-5 years of experience.”