In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, the Director of IIM Sambalpur, Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal delves into the institute’s ambitious growth plans, including new dual-degree programs, global collaborations, and cutting-edge AI integration.
In an exclusive interview with Shiksha.com, the Director of IIM Sambalpur, Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal delves into the institute’s ambitious growth plans, including new dual-degree programs, global collaborations, and cutting-edge AI integration. From pioneering gender diversity initiatives to spearheading AI-driven business education, IIM Sambalpur is positioning itself at the forefront of management education, both in India and globally. The Director shares insights into how the institution’s innovative programs are shaping the future of business education and empowering students to excel in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Q. You recently mentioned new programs like the BBA, MBA, and IT-related courses. Could you provide more details about these and how they are structured?
Prof Jaiswal: IIM Sambalpur has already launched three dual-degree programs. The first is an Executive PhD program in collaboration with Bordeaux University, France, where top CEOs from India, the UK, and the US are participating. This is the first dual-degree program of its kind here.
The second is an MBA in FinTech for working professionals, delivered online in partnership with Bordeaux University, Paris. This program will soon be available.
The third program, which we are offering through CAT, is the MBA in Business Analytics, in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. This dual-degree option requires students to spend one year here at IIM Sambalpur and another year at AIT Bangkok.
This program is designed for students with a STEM background and at least one year of work experience. It will cater to a select group of high-quality students, and we have partnered with 15 to 20 top industry players. This will be a high-profile program that competes with established institutions in terms of quality and placements.
We are also running a full-time MBA for working professionals, and the FinTech and BBA programs will be offered as weekend courses.
Q. You mentioned that students in the Business Analytics program require one year of work experience. Could this experience be in any field?
Prof Jaiswal: Yes, any business experience is acceptable, including entrepreneurship.
Q: Which courses are offered by IIMs through CAT?
Q: Is it worth joining IIM Sambalpur?
IIM Sambalpur is a good B-school with a lot to offer students. Some of the factors to consider are:
Placements: The highest and average packages stood at INR 23.5 LPA and INR 14.21 LPA, respectively in 2024. The top recruiters included Deloitte, Tata Power, Vedanta, Cognizant etc.
Fees: IIM Sambalpur fee ranges from INR 10.50 lakh - INR 23 lakh. The fees is comparatively lower when compared with other IIMs.
Infrastructure: The temporary campus of IIM Sambalpur is located between hills and farmlands, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The institute's campus has three hostel buildings, a state-of-the-art library, four classrooms, auditorium, and recreational facilities.
The candidates can refer to the above information to decide. However, the decision of whether to join or not to join IIM Sambalpur is a personal one.
Q: What is the selection process of IIM Ahmedabad?
Q. How do you see AI tools transforming education, particularly case studies in the post-COVID era?
Prof Jaiswal: AI is not just a tool for evaluations; it encourages structured discussions and fosters knowledge creation. In business cases, where there is no clear answer, AI can enable 100s of ideas to emerge from group discussions. Professors can then turn these into new case studies or even research papers.
The current education system is centered around fixed book exams, which often lead to cheating. AI will transform education by shifting the focus from teaching to learning, and teachers will evolve into innovators and knowledge creators. I believe AI should be mandatory in schools, colleges, and higher education institutions to address teacher shortages and improve learning outcomes. It will help India become a global leader in education.
Q. As more students pursue sector-specific MBAs, such as in supply chain management and sustainability, do you believe traditional MBA programs are being replaced?
Prof Jaiswal: This is exactly why we are launching the MBA in Business Analytics. Industries, especially MNCs in India, are increasingly looking for professionals with analytics skills to handle both textual and non-textual data. A generic MBA does not equip graduates to deal with the massive amounts of data that are integral to decision-making today.
In contrast, specialized programs like Business Analytics and FinTech, along with programs focused on digital transformation, are the future. I believe business schools should not only produce job seekers but also foster entrepreneurs who create employment through startups.
Q. What steps is IIM Sambalpur taking to enhance gender diversity?
Prof Jaiswal: We were the first IIM in India to introduce a 5-percentile cut-off for female candidates in the CAT exam, with the aim of improving gender diversity. As a result, in 2019, we achieved a 50-50 gender ratio in our student intake, and now, IIM Sambalpur has 70% female students.
We’ve also initiated significant projects aimed at women’s empowerment in Odisha, such as the knowledge partnership with the Odisha government to raise awareness about gender equality. Additionally, we plan to host a Women Empowerment Summit this March at IIM Sambalpur, bringing together women entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, political figures, and rural leaders.
Our societal initiatives include empowering the master weavers of Odisha. Through a weekend MBA-style education program in the local language, we’ve helped these artisans increase their turnover by 300 times by connecting them to digital markets through platforms like Flipkart and Amazon.
Q. IIM Sambalpur is also focusing on global collaborations. Can you elaborate on that?
Prof Jaiswal: We are strengthening our global collaborations, not just through student exchange programs but also through dual degree partnerships. Our MBA in Business Analytics is a dual-degree program with the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok. Similarly, we are offering a dual degree for FinTech in collaboration with Bordeaux University in France.
We are also collaborating on case writing with the Richard Ivey School of Business and other global institutions. The goal is to create joint knowledge, not just send students back and forth.
Furthermore, we are starting a research initiative focused on “Brand India” in August. This project will look at how Indian brands can be globalized and tackle challenges they face in becoming global players, changing the narrative of India as a labor economy to a brand economy.
Q: How does IIM Sambalpur's new AI partnership with Breakout Learning align with the Union Budget's AI investment, and what impact will it have on the institute's programs?
Prof Jaiswal: This partnership comes at a pivotal time following the Union Budget’s announcement of ₹500 crore for AI Centers of Excellence. IIM Sambalpur’s collaboration with Breakout Learning Inc. places the institution at the forefront of AI-driven digital case study solutions in India. This initiative will transform the management education landscape by incorporating AI-powered case platforms into our MBA, Executive MBA, and Ph.D. programs. It will give students access to premium international case studies from leading institutions like Harvard and Ivey, offering world-class academic content. This collaboration will also enable students and faculty to co-create innovative management cases, further establishing India as a hub for AI-driven business education. Additionally, faculty will have access to discounted AI-generated case studies for teaching and research purposes, enhancing both educational quality and research capabilities. The integration of AI in our curriculum will redefine management education in India, making it globally competitive.
Read More:
- IIMs Thriving on Autonomy, Not Government Funding: Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal
- Union Budget 2025: Nirmala Sitharaman Allocates ₹1.28 Lakh Crore for Education; IITs See Surge, IIMs Face 50% Cut
- Union Budget 2025: 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, 6,500 New IIT Seats, 10,000 MBBS Seats and More Announced for Education
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.
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Here is the list of courses offered by every IIM.