IIM-Visakhapatnam welcomes 2nd Batch of Executive MBA Programme for Working Professionals

The commencement of the second batch of EMBA at IIM Visakhapatnam aligns with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) policy that allows higher education institutions to admit students twice a year, thus catering to the growing demand for advanced learning opportunities among professionals.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Visakhapatnam inaugurated the second batch of its Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) programme on Sunday. This initiative aligns with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) policy that allows higher education institutions to admit students twice a year, thus catering to the growing demand for advanced learning opportunities among professionals.

Winter Intake Introduced to Meet Growing Demand

The programme chairperson, Happy Paul, discussed the institute’s decision to introduce a winter intake for the EMBA programme. This addition aims to make the programme more accessible to a wider pool of working professionals, who often face time constraints in pursuing higher education. Paul highlighted that the new intake would cater to the increasing need for flexible learning schedules, which can help professionals balance their education with their work commitments.

2024-26 EMBA Batch Profile: Diverse and Experienced Professionals

Prashant Premkumar Nair, admission chair at IIM-Visakhapatnam, presented the profile of the 2024-26 EMBA batch, which consists of 102 professionals from various industries. The participants bring with them an average of over eight years of work experience, reflecting the programme’s appeal to seasoned professionals. Notably, 23 percent of the batch consists of women, marking a significant step towards gender diversity in executive education.

Bridging the Skill Gap in a Changing Job Market

Vijaya Bhaskar Marisetty, Dean of Academics at IIM-Visakhapatnam, underscored the importance of bridging the skill gap in today’s rapidly evolving job market. He noted that the EMBA programme is designed to address the ongoing shift from physical capital to human capital and information capital, focusing on developing skills that align with the demands of the modern business landscape.

Leadership Development: Moving Beyond Best Practices

In his address, Professor M Chandrashekhar, Director of IIM-Visakhapatnam, emphasized that leadership and learning are integral to the institution's philosophy. He explained that at IIM-Visakhapatnam, leadership development goes beyond mastering established best practices. Instead, the focus is on fostering innovation and creating ‘next practices’ that can drive meaningful and sustainable change in organizations.

Professor Chandrashekhar also highlighted the institution’s robust community of over 3,500 students, noting how this network nurtures the knowledge and skills required to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

Continuous Upskilling: Key to Career Fulfillment

In an insightful session, Vishal Malik, Chief Operating Officer and Administrative Officer at Kearney PERLab, stressed the importance of continuous upskilling for working professionals. He shared seven key strategies for building a fulfilling career, which include commitment, adaptability, maintaining a marathon mindset, and balancing health with career aspirations. Malik’s address reinforced the idea that career growth requires ongoing effort and the ability to embrace change.

The inauguration of the second batch of the EMBA programme at IIM-Visakhapatnam marks a significant step in the institution’s ongoing efforts to offer world-class business education to working professionals. With its focus on flexible learning options and a diverse, experienced cohort, the EMBA programme promises to equip professionals with the skills necessary to succeed in today’s dynamic business environment. Through continuous innovation and leadership development, IIM-Visakhapatnam is positioning itself as a key player in shaping the future leaders of the corporate world.

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