Nagpur | The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur started the first batch of its Blended MBA for Working Professionals on Saturday (November 22), welcoming a diverse group of participants from over 20 states of India and countries abroad. This programme has marked a major international milestone for IIM Nagpur.
Addressing the participants as Chief Guest, Dr. N. Muthukumar, Managing Director, Kaynes Technology India Limited, emphasised the power of management education in transforming professional thinking. “After I completed my MBA, my way of looking at employees completely changed. You realise you can add value not only to your own life, but to the lives of people around you,” he said. Dr. Muthukumar added that the corporate world rewards adaptability and those who adjust to changing times grow, while those who resist change eventually fade away. Director of IIM Nagpur, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri presided over the inaugural function, Nilabha Nag, Head of Channel Marketing (India & Middle East), McAfee Software Pvt. Ltd was guest of honour while Prof. Debarun Chakraborty, programme chairperson, gave briefing on the programme.
Guest of Honour, Nilabha Nag, Head – Channel Marketing (India & Middle East), McAfee Software Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the importance of building strong professional teams. He said that good leadership is rooted in good management knowledge, and a strong team contributes greatly to individual success. He explained that every technological transition brings fear of job loss, but those who adapt always progress. “This course will teach you how to adapt to the new world of work. Think human, be human, and don’t forget to care for your family even while you work hard,” he noted.
Director of IIM Nagpur, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, congratulated the inaugural batch and called the programme a major step in the institute’s global growth. He stated that IIM Nagpur continues to lead with innovative offerings including digital learning, cyber security, and energy management programmes. “This Blended MBA for working professionals is going to be a change-maker. The learners of today will shape the future business landscape. India is set to become the third-largest economy by next year and is projected to grow to 40 trillion dollars by 2047. The world will look to us, and platforms like this will prepare leaders for that future,” he said.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, Prof. Debarun Chakraborty, programme chairperson, shared that Nagpur is currently the fastest-growing IIM in the country. He said that combining digital learning with management education presents a large opportunity and gives working professionals flexibility without compromising academic quality.
Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson, Admissions, Blended MBA, presented the batch profile. A total of 373 applications, including many from foreign applicants, were received. After written tests and interviews, 83 candidates have been inducted into the first batch. The group consists of 64 male and 19 female participants with an average age of 31 years and an average work experience of 7 years. The participants come from 20 states of India including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, MP, and UP. Professionals belong to diverse industries including IT, healthcare, medical devices, education and training, oil and gas, energy and power, consulting, manufacturing, retail, logistics, defence, pharma, chemical, agriculture, food and beverages, OEMs, AI and technology, among others. Participants include employees of prestigious organisations such as TCS, Cognizant, PolicyBazaar, HPCL, Lloyds MEL, and other leading companies.
