The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur has officially welcomed the inaugural cohort of its Blended MBA Programme for Working Professionals, marking a major step in the institute’s global outreach. The first batch comprises 83 professionals representing 20 Indian states and several international locations, signalling rising worldwide interest in IIM Nagpur’s industry-aligned programmes.
Serving as Chief Guest at the launch ceremony, Dr. N. Muthukumar, Managing Director, Kaynes Technology India Limited, emphasised the transformational power of management education. Reflecting on his own professional journey, he noted that an MBA reshapes how leaders view their teams and their role in uplifting people. He further stressed that adaptability remains crucial in the corporate world—growth comes to those who embrace change, while resistance often hinders progress.
The event was chaired by Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, with Mr. Nilabha Nag, Head – Channel Marketing (India & Middle East), McAfee Software Pvt. Ltd., as Guest of Honour. Prof. Debarun Chakraborty, Programme Chairperson, delivered a detailed overview of the programme structure and design.
Speaking at the session, Mr. Nilabha Nag highlighted the value of team synergy and leadership grounded in management principles. In an era shaped by rapid technological shifts, he urged learners to cultivate adaptability without losing sight of empathy and family values. “Think human, be human,” he advised the cohort.
In his presidential address, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri described the programme as a significant milestone in IIM Nagpur’s mission to expand globally through innovation. He outlined the institute’s leadership in digital learning, cyber security, and energy management, and expressed confidence that India’s rise as a global economic powerhouse will demand future-ready leaders. “This Blended MBA will act as a catalyst for shaping tomorrow’s business ecosystem,” he said.
Presenting the batch profile, Prof. Rakesh Gupta, Chairperson – Admissions (Blended MBA), shared that the institute received 373 applications, including multiple global submissions. Following a rigorous screening process involving written assessments and interviews, 83 candidates were selected. The cohort consists of 64 men and 19 women, with an average age of 31 years and average professional experience of seven years.
Participants bring experience across an extensive range of industries including IT, manufacturing, logistics, energy and power, consulting, healthcare, education, oil and gas, defence, pharma, chemicals, AI, OEMs, agriculture, food and beverages, and more. Notable organisations represented in the batch include TCS, Cognizant, PolicyBazaar, HPCL, and Lloyds MEL.
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With a design that blends digital pedagogy and world-class management education, the programme offers working professionals the opportunity to enhance their leadership capabilities without pausing their careers. The launch reinforces IIM Nagpur’s commitment to nurturing globally competent leaders capable of shaping India’s economic and corporate future.
