Category Archives: Education

Virtusa Foundation Strengthens Educational Infrastructure and Green Transport at Ramakrishna Mission, Bengaluru

Mumbai / Bengaluru, 03 July 2025: In a significant step towards creating lasting community impact, the Virtusa Foundation the CSR arm of Virtusa Corporation, a global leader in digital engineering and technology services today unveiled key initiatives at Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli, Bengaluru. The event marked the inauguration of a 16-room residential facility for teachers and the flagging off of two electric buses charged by electricity generated using solar energy, reflecting Virtusa Foundation’s deep-rooted commitment to its three pillars of impact: Education, Environment, and Empowerment (3Es). Located in a remote forest-fringe region bordering Bannerghatta National Park, this initiative amplifies support for the tribal and underserved communities that the Ramakrishna Mission has tirelessly supporting for over four decades.

The newly built 7,000 sq. ft. teachers’ quarters, featuring a multipurpose hall, four pantry areas, and a common washroom, directly addresses the challenge of retaining teachers in remote places like Shivanahalli, where the lack of basic amenities has led to high attrition. With a capacity for up to 34 teachers, the facility offers stability and comfort that encourages longer tenures. This continuity in teaching has a direct, positive impact on students, ensuring consistent guidance, stronger relationships, and improved learning outcomes. By investing in improved living conditions, Virtusa Foundation reinforces its commitment to improving education outcomes through teacher retention, academic continuity, and a stronger teaching environment in rural communities.

To further strengthen educational access, two new Tata Ultra 9m EV buses, charged by electricity generated from solar energy, were flagged off to provide daily transportation for 120 students from scattered villages across forested terrain. Each bus is equipped with fast-charging capabilities to ensure uninterrupted daily operations. To prioritize student safety, the buses include multiple protection features, such as an electronic braking system, electronic stability control, lap seat belts, a fire detection and alarm system, soft grab handles, and fire-retardant seat covers.

On weekends, the buses also bring students from 10 government schools in the Bannerghatta region to the campus for ‘MaaDoo’, a hands-on STEM learning initiative. In a region where limited transport often disrupts education, this solution ensures reliable access to school while advancing India’s EV goals. With this initiative, Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli becomes the first school in India to operate Tata Motors’ electric buses charged by electricity generated using solar energy, a milestone made possible by Virtusa Foundation’s investment in green mobility. The effort also supports Virtusa’s sustainability targets of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 and 100 percent renewable energy use by 2030, bridging inclusive education with environmental responsibility.

This initiative was formally inaugurated by Amit Bajoria, Chief Financial Officer, Virtusa Corporation, jointly with Shri Srimat Swami Atmavidanandaji Maharaj, Senior Monk, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. The ceremony was also graced by Shri Srimat Swami Muktidanandaji, Trustee, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission and Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru. Senior leaders from Virtusa including Shirsendu Deb, Senior Vice President & Global Finance Controller, Chandan Govindarajulu, Sr. Vice President and Head – Business Delivery & Operations, as well as Roch Ferreira, Global Vice President & Head of Corporate Marketing, were present at the event, underscoring the collective commitment of Virtusa Foundation and Ramakrishna Mission to advancing rural education and sustainable development.

Commenting on the occasion, Amit Bajoria, Chief Financial Officer, Virtusa Corporation, said, “At Virtusa, we believe true progress is built on the foundation of education, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment — the three pillars that guide every initiative we undertake. By providing safe, supportive housing for teachers and clean, reliable transportation for students, we are investing not just in infrastructure, but in human potential and a sustainable future. These initiatives exemplify our commitment to fostering inclusive growth that uplifts communities and addresses the urgent challenges of climate change. Through the Virtusa Foundation, we remain dedicated to engineering solutions that create meaningful, long-term impact where it matters most.”

Shri Srimat Swami Atmavidanandaji Maharaj, Senior Monk, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, said, “Our collaboration with Virtusa Foundation embodies the spirit of service and commitment to uplifting rural education and sustainable living. The new teachers’ quarters and electric buses will significantly enhance the well-being of teaching staff and students, enabling a nurturing environment for learning and growth. We are grateful for this partnership that brings hope and progress to our community.”

These initiatives signify a strengthened alliance between Virtusa Foundation and Ramakrishna Mission in Shivanahalli, demonstrating a shared vision to transform education and champion sustainable development where it is most needed.

Jaipuria Institute of Management Earns Best Place to Work Title

New Delhi, July 02, 2025: Jaipuria Institute of Management has been honored as a “Best Place to Work” in the Education and Training sector by Great Place to Work® India, marking a milestone evolution from six consecutive years of being Great Place to Work-Certified™.

This prestigious recognition underscores Jaipuria’s relentless commitment to fostering a values-driven, inclusive, and high-performance culture, setting a rare benchmark in India’s B-school ecosystem.

The coveted award reflects Jaipuria’s outstanding performance in the Trust Index™ survey and Culture Audit™, placing it among the top workplaces across industries in 2025. This designation is a testament to the institute’s people-first culture, its “One Jaipuria” integrated campus model, and a deep-rooted belief in inclusive, sustainable growth.

“With this recognition, we affirm that at Jaipuria, culture is strategy. Our people thrive because we listen, we empower, and we evolve together,” said Shreevats Jaipuria, Vice Chairman, Jaipuria Institute of Management. “The Best Place to Work honor validates the collective spirit of our educators, administrators, and leadership who drive purpose with passion.”

Backed by AACSB accreditation and an average ₹36.6 LPA top placement package, Jaipuria’s culture blends academic excellence with employee engagement, resulting in industry-ready graduates and a resilient, future-facing institution. This accolade further strengthens the institute’s positioning as a magnet for top academic talent and strategic industry collaborations.

“This recognition is not just about being the best; it’s about sustaining excellence with purpose. It reflects our belief that great culture builds great careers and performance. Every initiative, from flexible work models to continuous learning pathways is thoughtfully designed with empathy, clarity, and a focus on long-term impact,’’ added Rakesh Ranjan, Vice President, Human Resources, Jaipuria Institute of Management.

In an education sector often marked by transactional systems, Jaipuria Institute of Management distinguishes itself with a holistic approach to institutional culture, one that enhances academic rigor, employee satisfaction, and student success alike.

IIHMR University Welcomes 12th PhD Cohort with Over 30 Percent Female Scholars

Mumbai, 2 July 2025: IIHMR University – Ranked #1 Healthcare Management University in India, organized the inaugural session of the new batch of PhD program (Cohort-12), on June 30, 2025, bringing together esteemed dignitaries, faculty, and the newly admitted research scholars. The program commenced with the lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment. Dr. P R Sodani, President, IIHMR University, delivered the inaugural keynote address, setting a warm and inspiring tone for the research scholars. He underscored the significance of rigorous research in driving impactful changes in program management and policy formulation. On this occasion, Chairpersons of various DRCs – Dr. Himadri Sinha, Dr. Anoop Khanna, Dr. Vinod Kumar SV, and Dr. Saurabh Kumar, joined the ceremony and highlighted the importance of adhering to the timeline, adopting a focused approach throughout their research journey, the value of persistence and passion, and the significance of research paper publications.

The new batch comprises 19 scholars from six States: Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. More than 30% of the scholars are female candidates. These scholars work with globally recognized organizations, including the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, World Bank, UNICEF, Quality Council of India, IQVIA, HCL Foundation, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, etc. Dr. Kajal Sitlani, PhD Program Coordinator, concluded the program with a vote of thanks.

IIM Sambalpur Welcomes Inaugural MBA-BA and 11th MBA Batch with Higher Work Experience

Sambalpur; 2nd July, 2025: IIM Sambalpur, one of the most progressive and fast-growing IIMs in the country, renowned for setting standards continues to uphold its commitment towards academic excellence and diversity. In the latest admissions cycle for the academic year (2025-2027), IIM Sambalpur has reported slight increase of 5% in the numbers of engineers admitted compared to non-engineers. This development is evident across both its newly launched MBA in Business Analytics programme as well as the 11th batch of its flagship MBA Programme for 2025–27. In alignment with IIM Sambalpur’s core values – Inclusivity, Integrity and Innovation, IIM Sambalpur’s incoming MBA batch also comprises three students with physical and mobility challenges.

Of the total 363 graduates admitted across both the MBA programmes, 186 which is constituting 51.24% of the batch, hold engineering degrees. While non-engineers students’ account for the remaining 48.76%. The preference for technical background is evident in the MBA in Business Analytics (MBA BA) programme, where the engineering cohort comprises of 61.70%. However, the flagship MBA programme, reports a near equal distribution, with 49.68% of graduates from engineering and 50.32% from non engineering students. Additionally, the MBA BA cohort stands out for its industry readiness, as 100% of the cohort possess prior work experience, thereby increasing the practical orientation and applicability of the programme in the evolving business environment. Complementing this academic spread is healthy gender diversity: the incoming batch is 33% female and 67% male overall, with the flagship MBA classroom showing 38% women and 62% men, while the MBA BA pioneers include 5% women and 95% men. Disciplinary variety stretches well beyond engineering—around 20% of students hold commerce and accountancy degrees, 9% come from pure sciences, 8% from management related courses and 4% from the arts, with the remainder bringing specialised qualifications in fields such as agriculture, horticulture, pharmacy, law, journalism, fashion technology, dentistry, hotel and tourism management, and shipping. Seventy five percent of the entire cohort arrive with prior work experience. Within the MBA programme 72% are experienced hires, while in MBA BA everyone has at least a year of industry exposure. For the MBA class specifically, 4% have under a year of experience, 19% bring one to two years, 43% have two to three years, and 6% exceed the three year mark; the MBA BA group distributes across one to two years (49%), two to three years (36%) and three to four years (15%). Sectoral representation is equally broad, led by information technology, engineering and industrial roles, banking and financial services, and consulting, with strong showings from retail and FMCG, education and ed tech, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, sales and marketing, e commerce, legal services, telecommunications and several niche domains. In terms of geographical diversity, the batch comes from almost all states and union territories of India, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In terms of state of domicile, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh account for 13% and 12% of the incoming batch, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, West Bengal, Telangana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat.

Eminent personalities including V. Srinivas, IAS, Secretary, DARPG, GOI as the Chief Guest; Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium as the Guest of Honor; Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India as the keynote speaker and Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur along with the faculty members and Students were present in the inaugural ceremony.

During his welcome address focusing on sustainability, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur highlighted the institution’s establishment by the Government of India in 2015 and said,” India’s rise from the world’s 10th to 4th largest economy is a result of bold reforms like Digital India, Skill India, Startup India, and Make in India. At IIM Sambalpur, we believe it’s time to add one more, ‘Brand in India’. Our mission is to make Sambalpur the first sustainable city in India, for which we seek the help and support of the government. As a new-age IIM, we are contributing to this national vision by developing leaders who are not just job-seekers, but job-creators with entrepreneurial mindsets. Over the years, we’ve set benchmarks, from achieving near gender parity in MBA admissions to empowering traditional weavers through the Master Weaver program and introducing AI-enabled classroom discussions, an India-first, and possibly a world-first initiative.” Further he added, “our three ’I’ values, Innovation, Integrity, and Inclusiveness rooted in Indian philosophy, guide us in transforming education with a purpose. And our 3D action lens, Digitalisation, Decarbonisation, and Democratisation of business ensures we are future-ready. IIM Sambalpur is not just producing managers, but responsible leaders capable of shaping and achieving the vision of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of Viksit Bharat by @2047.”

Shri V. Srinivas, IAS, Secretary DARPG, GOI, said, “Across every sector, space, biotech, semiconductors, energy and robotics, India is witnessing an unprecedented technology surge. Our ‘Maximum Governance, Minimum Government’ approach is turning that momentum into citizen first outcomes: 100 % paperless central secretariat, the world’s largest AI enabled grievance redress platform, and deregulation that trims 20 plus outdated compliances so businesses can thrive.” Further he added, “I’m delighted that IIM Sambalpur’s forward looking MBA in Business Analytics mirrors this national journey, rooted in data, driven by innovation and shaped by ethical leadership. When students master digital tools, understand policy, and build entrepreneurial mind sets, they don’t just analyse numbers; they design solutions that simplify lives, power industry and steer India toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “After 35 years in industry I can tell you: leadership isn’t found in a handbook, it’s carved by each of us from the inside out. Ask yourself every fortnight: what makes me mad, bad, sad, and glad? The answers will keep you honest while you sculpt your own statue.” Further he mentioned that, “Come out of your comfort zone, because that is very important to grow. Stay humble, hungry and hardworking add those three H’s to IIM Sambalpur’s three I’s of Innovation, Integrity and Inclusiveness, and the ‘CASH’ in your bank will rise adding ‘KASH’ Knowledge, Attitude, Skill and Habit into your DNA and your life.”

Key note speaker, Mr. Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India, while sharing his personal life experience he said, “From IT to Finance and to Business, my journey has been very unique and adventurous. He advised students to work hard and to follow passion, but not to deny that luck is a very important factor in everyone’s life for success.”

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Prof. Diptiranjan Mahapatra, Dean Academics. Prof. Siddharth G. Majhi, Chair, Admission, provided an introduction of the 11th Batch of MBA and 1st batch of MBA-BA, while the Introduction of MBA Programme was given by Prof. Shubhi Gupta, Chair, PGP and the introduction of MBA-BA Programme was given by Prof. Saumyaranjan Sahoo, chair MBA-BA and an address, on AOL and IIM Sambalpur’s Accreditation Journey so Far, was narrated by Prof. Soumya Guha Deb, Chair, Ranking & Accreditation. The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Diwahar S. Nadar, Chair, SAC.

The day also witnessed the Orientation Programme for the MBA and MBA-BA cohorts including a detailed briefing on the MBA Ordinance by Prof. Shubhi Gupta, Chair PGP and briefing on the MBA-BA Ordinance by Prof. Saumyaranjan Sahoo, Chair MBA-BA, and Anti-Ragging policies by Prof. Rahul Sindhwani, Chair Anti-Ragging.

IIM Sambalpur Welcomes Inaugural MBA-BA and 11th MBA Cohort with Rise in Work Experience

IIM Sambalpur Welcomes Inaugural MBA Business Analytics and 11th MBA Cohort with Surge in Prior Work Experience

Sambalpur; 2 July, 2025: IIM Sambalpur, one of the most progressive and fast-growing IIMs in the country, renowned for setting standards continues to uphold its commitment towards academic excellence and diversity. In the latest admissions cycle for the academic year (2025-2027), IIM Sambalpur has reported slight increase of 5% in the numbers of engineers admitted compared to non-engineers. This development is evident across both its newly launched MBA in Business Analytics programme as well as the 11th batch of its flagship MBA Programme for 2025–27. In alignment with IIM Sambalpur’s core values – Inclusivity, Integrity and Innovation, IIM Sambalpur’s incoming MBA batch also comprises three students with physical and mobility challenges. 

Of the total 363 graduates admitted across both the MBA programmes, 186 which is constituting 51.24% of the batch, hold engineering degrees. While non-engineers students’ account for the remaining 48.76%. The preference for technical background is evident in the MBA in Business Analytics (MBA-BA) programme, where the engineering cohort comprises of 61.70%. However, the flagship MBA programme, reports a near-equal distribution, with 49.68% of graduates from engineering and 50.32% from non-engineering students. Additionally, the MBA-BA cohort stands out for its industry readiness, as 100% of the cohort possess prior work experience, thereby increasing the practical orientation and applicability of the programme in the evolving business environment. Complementing this academic spread is healthy gender diversity: the incoming batch is 33% female and 67% male overall, with the flagship MBA classroom showing 38% women and 62% men, while the MBA-BA pioneers include 5% women and 95% men. Disciplinary variety stretches well beyond engineering—around 20% of students hold commerce and accountancy degrees, 9% come from pure sciences, 8% from management-related courses and 4% from the arts, with the remainder bringing specialised qualifications in fields such as agriculture, horticulture, pharmacy, law, journalism, fashion technology, dentistry, hotel and tourism management, and shipping. Seventy-five percent of the entire cohort arrive with prior work experience. Within the MBA programme 72% are experienced hires, while in MBA-BA everyone has at least a year of industry exposure. For the MBA class specifically, 4% have under a year of experience, 19% bring one-to-two years, 43% have two-to-three years, and 6% exceed the three-year mark; the MBA-BA group distributes across one-to-two years (49%), two-to-three years (36%) and three-to-four years (15%). Sectoral representation is equally broad, led by information technology, engineering and industrial roles, banking and financial services, and consulting, with strong showings from retail and FMCG, education and ed-tech, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, sales and marketing, e-commerce, legal services, telecommunications and several niche domains. In terms of geographical diversity, the batch comes from almost all states and union territories of India, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In terms of state of domicile, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh account for 13% and 12% of the incoming batch, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi, West Bengal, Telangana, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat.

Eminent personalities including V. Srinivas, IAS, Secretary, DARPG, GOI as the Chief Guest; Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium as the Guest of Honor; Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India as the keynote speaker and Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur along with the faculty members and Students were present in the inaugural ceremony. 

During his welcome address focusing on sustainability, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur highlighted the institution’s establishment by the Government of India in 2015 and said,” India’s rise from the world’s 10th to 4th largest economy is a result of bold reforms like Digital India, Skill India, Startup India, and Make in India. At IIM Sambalpur, we believe it’s time to add one more, ‘Brand in India’. Our mission is to make Sambalpur the first sustainable city in India, for which we seek the help and support of the government. As a new-age IIM, we are contributing to this national vision by developing leaders who are not just job-seekers, but job-creators with entrepreneurial mindsets. Over the years, we’ve set benchmarks, from achieving near gender parity in MBA admissions to empowering traditional weavers through the Master Weaver program and introducing AI-enabled classroom discussions, an India-first, and possibly a world-first initiative.” Further he added, “our three ’I’ values, Innovation, Integrity, and Inclusiveness rooted in Indian philosophy, guide us in transforming education with a purpose. And our 3D action lens, Digitalisation, Decarbonisation, and Democratisation of business ensures we are future-ready. IIM Sambalpur is not just producing managers, but responsible leaders capable of shaping and achieving the vision of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of Viksit Bharat by @2047.”

Shri V. Srinivas, IAS, Secretary DARPG, GOI, said, “Across every sector, space, biotech, semiconductors, energy and robotics, India is witnessing an unprecedented technology surge. Our ‘Maximum Governance, Minimum Government’ approach is turning that momentum into citizen-first outcomes: 100 % paperless central secretariat, the world’s largest AI-enabled grievance-redress platform, and deregulation that trims 20-plus outdated compliances so businesses can thrive.” Further he added, “I’m delighted that IIM Sambalpur’s forward-looking MBA in Business Analytics mirrors this national journey, rooted in data, driven by innovation and shaped by ethical leadership. When students master digital tools, understand policy, and build entrepreneurial mind-sets, they don’t just analyse numbers; they design solutions that simplify lives, power industry and steer India toward a Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “After 35 years in industry I can tell you: leadership isn’t found in a handbook, it’s carved by each of us from the inside out. Ask yourself every fortnight: what makes me mad, bad, sad, and glad? The answers will keep you honest while you sculpt your own statue.” Further he mentioned that, “Come out of your comfort zone, because that is very important to grow. Stay humble, hungry and hardworking add those three H’s to IIM Sambalpur’s three I’s of Innovation, Integrity and Inclusiveness, and the ‘CASH’ in your bank will rise adding ‘KASH’ Knowledge, Attitude, Skill and Habit into your DNA and your life.”

Key note speaker, Mr. Samir Kumar, Country Manager, Amazon India, while sharing his personal life experience he said, “From IT to Finance and to Business, my journey has been very unique and adventurous. He advised students to work hard and to follow passion, but not to deny that luck is a very important factor in everyone’s life for success.”  

Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Prof. Diptiranjan Mahapatra, Dean Academics. Prof. Siddharth G. Majhi, Chair, Admission, provided an introduction of the 11th Batch of MBA and 1st batch of MBA-BA, while the Introduction of MBA Programme was given by Prof. Shubhi Gupta, Chair, PGP and the introduction of MBA-BA Programme was given by Prof. Saumyaranjan Sahoo, chair MBA-BA and an address, on AOL and IIM Sambalpur’s Accreditation Journey so Far, was narrated by Prof. Soumya Guha Deb, Chair, Ranking & Accreditation. The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof. Diwahar S. Nadar, Chair, SAC.

The day also witnessed the Orientation Programme for the MBA and MBA-BA cohorts including a detailed briefing on the MBA Ordinance by Prof. Shubhi Gupta, Chair PGP and briefing on the MBA-BA Ordinance by Prof. Saumyaranjan Sahoo, Chair MBA-BA, and Anti-Ragging policies by Prof. Rahul Sindhwani, Chair Anti-Ragging.

AAFT School of Fine Arts Announces Appointment of Celebrated Artist George Martin as Industry Dean

Noida, 30th June 2025: AAFT School of Fine Arts has named acclaimed contemporary artist George Martin as its new Industry Dean, underscoring the institution’s commitment to artistic innovation and industry relevance. Martin, celebrated for his vibrant abstract works and a career spanning over two decades, has exhibited globally, with notable solo shows at the Palette Art Gallery and India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, as well as the Bombay Art Gallery in Mumbai. He was the inaugural recipient of Art India Magazine’s Promising Artist Award in 2005.

“Art, to me, is about capturing the pulse of our times and translating lived experiences into visual narratives,” Martin said. “I am excited to work alongside AAFT’s talented students and faculty, helping them find the courage to take risks and the confidence to shape their creative journeys.”

Martin will lead the development of innovative programs in his new position, connecting industry demands with creative exploration. He wants to create an atmosphere where students feel free to try new things, work together, and develop their creative voices.

Akshay Marwah, CEO of AAFT, expressed enthusiasm about Martin’s appointment, stating, “George’s vision and artistic sensibility are perfectly aligned with our mission to empower the next generation of artists. His leadership will undoubtedly inspire our students to reach new heights and redefine the boundaries of fine arts education.”

With an illustrious 32-year legacy of AAFT, creativity and practicality are the central focus of the curriculum and the institution’s priorities, nurturing a vision in aspiring artists that enables them to leave a mark in the industry. AAFT remains committed to providing top-tier programs that equip aspiring students with the skills and vision to excel in the global landscape.

NMIMS School of Business Management, Navi Mumbai, welcomes MBA students with a trend-setting foundation program

SVKM’s NMIMS School of Business Management, Navi Mumbai, hosted a thoughtfully curated foundation program to showcase the university’s values, academic excellence, and ethos. It welcomed students from diverse fields and backgrounds, united by their pursuit of knowledge and higher learning, and celebrated their upcoming academic journey.

The inauguration ceremony commenced with a ceremonial Saraswati Vandana, followed by the lighting of the lamp. The welcome speech was delivered by Dr. Shubhasheesh Bhattacharya, Director of NMIMS Navi Mumbai, followed by an inaugural speech from the keynote speaker, Mr. N. Subhash Chandra, Chief Business Officer at Star Union Dai-Ichi Life Insurance. Dr. Nitin Balwani, Associate Dean, and Dr. Bharath Supra, Program Chair, also addressed the students and welcomed them to the university.

The foundation program covered multiple academic themes and professional spectrums while introducing the students to NMIMS’s infrastructure, faculty, and academic administration. Over the past few days, the students participated in seminars, panel discussions, and parallel classroom sessions to orient them to the rigour of the program. Esteemed speakers and experienced faculty members shared their insights on a diverse array of topics, including finance, marketing, generative AI, data analytics, operations & decision sciences, HR, and strategy. The students also participated in focused sessions, covering preparatory courses in Finance, Excel, descriptive analysis, as well as sessions on how to approach case studies, and insightful movie-based learning. The foundation program is followed by Mumbai Darshan and group activities, which help students get to know each other better and create a bonding experience.

NMIMS is a globally recognised institution with world-class faculty and supporting amenities. The university’s up-to-date curriculum focuses on well-rounded education and real-time learning to prepare students to handle the challenges of dynamic business environments before they even start their careers. NMIMS has international partnerships with leading universities, which allow students to gain real-world experiences across the globe. With a legacy of academic excellence, NMIMS has a great reputation for shaping future leaders.

NMIMS School of Business Management, Navi Mumbai, follows a One NMIMS – One MBA approach, which means that every NMIMS campus will follow the same course structure. This gives recruiters and companies the confidence that any student (future employee) hired from the NMIMS MBA program has received quality and consistent education.

“Keep a mindset of lifelong learning. Create a purpose where you work to change the world.” – Mr. N Subhash Chandra 

SCDL Marks Silver Jubilee with Career Seminar by Dr. Arjun Vaidya in Bengaluru

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) Celebrates Silver Jubilee with Insightful Career Seminar by Dr. Arjun Vaidya in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, 30 June 2025: As part of the silver jubilee celebrations of Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), a special career growth seminar by Dr. Arjun Vaidya was organized in Bengaluru. Conducted under the guidance of Dr. Swati Mujumdar, Dr. Arjun Vaidya addressed the audience on the topic “Reinventing Yourself for India’s Ever-Changing Job Market.”

Speaking on the occasion, he emphasized, “In the age of social media, it is important to have a digital presence and to keep it updated with relevant information. This creates a digital identity. By staying active on social media, one can open many doors to opportunities. Passion is essential in any work you do—it is this passion that makes the journey smoother. Instead of complaining, one should turn challenges into golden opportunities and build new ventures. Consistency in skills, competence, creativity, persistence, and self-belief can help achieve your goals.”

The event received an overwhelming response in Bengaluru. It saw participation from SCDL alumni, working professionals, graduates, and employees from various sectors who were interested in redefining their careers. Nikhil Vaidya, Ashish Pandita, and Jay Kolhe were also present.

Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) is one of the largest private distance education institutions in India. Established in 2001, SCDL is a pioneer in providing flexible, high-quality education to thousands of students in India and abroad. As it celebrates its Silver Jubilee (25 years of excellence in online education), the journey has been one of empowering learners and shaping careers through innovative distance education programs. SCDL offers cutting-edge infrastructure, dedicated faculty, and advanced digital learning. It has built a strong reputation for offering industry-relevant postgraduate diploma programs across various domains. In addition to its individual learning programs, SCDL also collaborates with leading local, national, and international organizations to offer specialized corporate programs—this seminar being a part of that initiative.

Speaking about opportunities in rural areas, Dr. Vaidya said, “There are tremendous business opportunities in rural India. Even while working globally, one can start a venture by identifying key issues and make progress. By continuously meeting people, your network grows—and this is how you discover the hidden secrets of the market. Out-of-classroom experiences enrich a person. While working in large companies, employees often don’t have the visionary perspective of the company’s owner. So, instead of seeing yourself as just an employee, see the company as your own venture and make decisions accordingly. If you want to start a business, act now. Don’t waste time. In any product or service, the customer is the end user—only through customer feedback can you identify business shortcomings.”

On artificial intelligence (AI), he said, “If you fear AI, you won’t be able to use it. AI can help create strategies, but it cannot implement them—that still requires human involvement. Keep yourself updated with new things. There’s a wealth of learning available. Work in India—there are countless opportunities here. When no one else believes in you, believe in yourself and keep moving forward.” 

University of Leeds and University of Delhi Sign MoU to Strengthen Academic and Research Collaboration

New Delhi, 27 June 2025 – In a move that signals a growing commitment to international academic collaboration, the University of Leeds (UoL) and the University of Delhi (DU) have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement aims to foster deeper engagement in collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity building between the two institutions.

The MoU builds on a sustained relationship led by the UoL’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Over the past two years, University of Leeds academics have undertaken a series of visits to Delhi University and co-hosted events designed to create shared learning platforms. Most notably, a workshop on social science research methods was held in April 2025 in Delhi, bringing together scholars and early-career researchers from both institutions. This workshop marked a key milestone in advancing interdisciplinary and inter-institutional dialogue.

The MoU sets the stage for collaborations encompassing joint research initiatives, academic events, faculty and student exchanges, and shared resources. It reflects a mutual commitment to building capacity, fostering innovation, and contributing to global knowledge production through equitable and inclusive academic partnerships.

Talking about the MoU, Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds, said, “This agreement with the University of Delhi is an important part of our ambition to be a truly global university. It reflects our commitment to forging meaningful partnerships that support impactful research, enrich student and staff experiences, and contribute to shared academic and societal goals. We are excited to continue growing our relationship with DU in the years to come.”

Professor Yogesh Singh, Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, said, “We welcome this partnership with the University of Leeds as an opportunity to build collaborative networks that advance our academic mission. This MoU reflects our shared values of innovation, inclusion, and excellence in higher education and research.”

This partnership aligns with the UoL’s international strategy and long-standing engagement with India — one of its priority countries for academic collaboration. For the University of Delhi, the MoU strengthens its vision of building globally relevant research capacity and enhancing the internationalisation of its academic programmes.

Shape a Brighter Future with Executive Programs by IIHMR University, Admissions Open for 2025–27

National, 26^th June 2025: IIHMR University, a leading health management research university in Jaipur, is thrilled to announce that admissions for the academic year 2025-27 are now open. The institute is inviting aspiring candidates to its Executive Programs; Master of Public Health, Master of Hospital Administration, MBA (CSR & ESG Management), MBA (Sustainable Business Management), and MBA (Pharmaceutical Management). The last date to apply for these programs is 25^th September 2025.

These two-year, executive programs are tailored for mid- to senior-level professionals aiming to elevate their careers through strategic learning. These comprehensive programs are designed with industry-aligned curriculum, to upskill and catalyse career advancement. Delivered in a blended learning format, these programs combine cutting-edge academic content with real-world applicability and is led by distinguished faculty and industry practitioners.

Dr. PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University shared, “With healthcare emerging as one of the largest sectors of the Indian economy in both revenue and employment, our Executive programs are designed to meet the sector’s evolving needs while aligning with students’ aspirations. With its 40 years of legacy, IIHMR will serve as a pivotal step in boosting your professional journey ahead. Our programs are aligned with the latest market trends in healthcare, ESG, sustainability, and pharmaceutical management, empowering working professionals to stay ahead of the curve and drive meaningful impact in their organizations and communities.”

Candidates possessing a graduation degree in any discipline with 50% or above [45% or above for SC/ST/OBC-NC/ EWS/ PwD] aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA can apply for these comprehensive programs. In addition, applicants with a postgraduate degree with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks are exempted from the requirement of a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in a graduate degree. To know more visit https://iihmr.edu.in/