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Journalism of Courage
The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Nagpur has launched its flagship ‘Blended MBA’ programme for working professionals. The newly introduced programme received 373 applications from India and abroad, out of which 83 candidates are from more than 20 Indian states and a few international locations have been selected for the inaugural batch.
The diverse batch includes professionals from IT, healthcare, medical devices, education, oil and gas, energy, consulting, manufacturing, retail, logistics, defence, pharma, chemical, agriculture, food and beverages, OEMs, AI, and technology. Candidates from reputed organisations, including TCS, Cognizant, PolicyBazaar, HPCL, Lloyds MEL, and others, are part of the inaugural cohort.
Of the 373 applicants – including several foreign candidates – 232 appeared for the written test and interviews. A total of 83 were selected, comprising 64 men and 19 women participants, with an average age of 31 and average work experience of 7 years. The cohort represents states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Haryana, Telangana, Bihar, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, among others.
The programme was formally inaugurated on Saturday in the presence of IIM Nagpur Director Professor Bhimaraya Metri, who presided over the event. The ceremony featured Dr. N Muthukumar, Managing Director, Kaynes Technology India Limited, as the Chief Guest, and Nilabha Nag, Head – Channel Marketing (India and Middle East), McAfee Software Pvt. Ltd., as the Guest of Honour. Professor Debarun Chakraborty serves as the Programme Chairperson.
In his address, Dr. N. Muthukumar emphasised the transformative power of management education. “After completing my MBA, my perspective towards employees changed completely. One can not only transform one’s own life, but also contribute positively to the lives of others,” he said. Speaking about the corporate landscape, he highlighted that adaptability is key to survival and growth.
Guest of Honour Nilabha Nag spoke about leadership in the age of technological disruption. He noted that every technological shift – from computers to the internet to AI – has sparked anxieties around job security. “Those who embrace change continue to progress,” he said, urging students to balance professional rigor with family time. “This course will develop the skills required to match the new work culture,” he added.
Director also congratulated the first cohort, calling the programme a milestone in IIM Nagpur’s global journey. He noted the institute’s commitment to innovation through courses in digital learning, cyber security, and energy management. “This Blended MBA for working professionals will be a game-changer. India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy by next year and aims for a 40 trillion-dollar economy by 2047. The world is looking at India, and programmes like this will prepare future leaders,” he said.
Programme Chairperson added that IIM Nagpur is one of the fastest-growing IIMs in the country. The blended format, he said, offers working professionals the flexibility to pursue top-quality management education without disrupting their careers.
