EDUCATION WITHOUT BORDERS
Why did the school establish a second campus in Delhi?
we have integrated an AI-based learning management system into the classroom, allowing students to engage with advanced technologies and simulate business scenarios that mirror industry challenges.” While government funding for IIMs has decreased in recent years, you have spoken in favour of their greater autonomy. What are the benefits? “Autonomy has been essential in allowing us to innovate and offer programmes that are highly relevant to industry needs. The ability to make decisions without bureaucratic delays has enabled us to design cutting-edge curricula and adopt the latest technologies, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of management education.” How does the school seek to engage with the local community? “One of our key initiatives is training master weavers, empowering local artisans with new skills and business acumen. We also focus on helping women in the region gain financial independence and leadership skills, thus contributing to community development.” Which new programme or initiative are you most excited about? “Our MBA in business analytics. The fusion of data science and business strategy is the future of management and incorporating AI into the classroom ensures our students are equipped to lead in an increasingly data-driven world.” What do you enjoy most about the industry and your day-to-day role? “The most fulfilling part of my role is the opportunity to solve complex problems and generate new ideas. The dynamic nature of the education sector keeps me inspired and I relish the chance to shape the next generation of business leaders.” Is there anything that frustrates you about your role and industry, or something you would like to change? “One challenge we face is the shortage of high-quality faculty. To deliver world-class education, attracting and retaining top-tier faculty is essential. This is an area where we continue to focus our efforts, knowing that the quality of our teaching staff directly impacts the quality of our graduates.”
“The Delhi campus was created with a strategic vision in mind: to strengthen our ties with the corporate world and facilitate the international accreditation process. Additionally, being located in the capital allowed us to fill a significant gap, as there was no IIM presence in Delhi at that time, offering both national and global exposure to our students.” What increase in student, faculty and programme numbers do you expect to see in the coming years? “With the launch of our permanent campus, we anticipate an increase of between 30 and 40 per cent in both student intake and faculty strength, alongside an expansion of our programmes. This growth will help us meet the increasing demand for high-quality management education while maintaining our commitment to academic excellence.” You offer a trio of dual degree options, with schools in France and Thailand. What further internationalisation plans are in the pipeline? “We are committed to enhancing our global presence and making our campus internationally competitive. This includes improving infrastructure to meet global standards, expanding our international partnerships and introducing more opportunities for in-person and remote learning for international students.” How is the school’s focus on experiential learning implemented? “Experiential learning is at the heart of our pedagogy. We incorporate project-based classes that require students to work on real-world problems. Additionally,
Mahadeo Jaiswal is the founding director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur. Previously, Jaiswal was dean of research at Management Development Institute Gurgaon. He has also held visiting professor roles at the University of California, Rotterdam School of Management and IIM Ahmedabad
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Business Impact • ISSUE 2 • 2025
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