The first Convocation of IIM Visakhapatnam was held on May 26 at its temporary campus at Andhra University with 47 graduating students of the 2-year Post Graduate Program (PGP) being awarded their diplomas, including 2 toppers garnering 3 gold medals.
IIMV Chairperson Hari S. Bhartia, in his address at the Convocation, urged the new graduates to respond to change and disruption, innovate and work for national development. “The ability to adapt to change is the hallmark of an effective leader, and being young and talented I want you to create opportunities for yourselves and others,” Bhartia, who is also a well-known industrialist, said.
While 42 students collected the diplomas in person at a simple but elegant ceremony, 5 were awarded diplomas in absentia. Three gold medals were awarded, for the first and second rank, and one for the best all round performance. Abhishek Goel received the gold medal for First Rank in Academic Performance. Ganapathi Subramanian V secured the gold medal for Second Rank in Academic Performance as well as the gold medal for Best All Round Performance.
An overwhelming 94% of students in 2015-17 PGP batch came from Engineering followed by 2% each in Commerce, Chartered Accountant and Mass Communication educational background. Students from IIT/NIT/BITS formed 21% of the class.
“Students representing as many as 19 states and union territories chose IIMV for their management education pursuit, lending the institute a truly national character. We are indeed proud of this distinction,” Bhartia said.
While 43% of the class had more than 34 months work experience, freshers comprised 29%. Those with 21-34 months formed 18% and 12-21 months the remaining 10%. In Work experience (Industries), 40% were from IT/ITES followed by 17% Banking and Finance, 10% Manufacturing, 6% Construction and 3% each in KPO, FMCG, Media, Automobile, Telecommunications, Technology, Energy and Intellectual Property.
“Students representing as many as 19 states and union territories chose IIMV for their management education pursuit, lending the institute a truly national character. We are indeed proud of this distinction,” Bhartia said.
Apart from IIMV’s Board of Governors and Director Prof M Chandrasekhar, IIM Bangalore Director Professor G. Raghuram along with Professors Rajendra Bandi, Ganesh N Prabhu, and Anil Suraj from IIM Bangalore were present at the Convocation.
On the occasion, Bhartia had a special word of gratitude for IIM Bangalore’s faculty, staff and students, who, he emphasised, have played a significant role in mentoring IIM Visakhapatnam, which includes its placement process.
“I compliment and thank the faculty and staff of IIM Bangalore, ably led by Prof. Sushil Vachani and Prof. R. Srinivasan in the past and in the present by Prof. G. Raghuram, for ensuring close alignment of the academic and governance processes of this institute with those of IIM Bangalore, resulting in very high standards, right from the beginning,” he added.
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Referring to the permanent campus to be built at Gambheeram of Anandapuram mandal, the Chairperson said, “IIMV would build a truly world-class and future-proof campus with ambience and aesthetics of global standards. Our goal is to make the campus a legendary landmark.”
About IIMV aspiring to make a significant contribution to nation-building, he said, “For a young institute that is just about two years old, IIMV has a well-equipped transit campus, replete with state-of-the-art teaching-learning aids, modern audio-visual facilities and amenities.”
“As an institution of national importance, it’s my wish that IIM Visakhapatnam leverage the vibrant ecosystem of the country and of the state gainfully, offering distinctive academic and research programmes to meet the current and emerging opportunities in the industry and the government.
“It would look for opportunities for making significant knowledge contribution to the key socio-economic sectors forming part of the National Development Agenda and be a part of the exciting growth story in the country’s socio-economic progress and inclusive development. I am confident that on the strength of its good work, IIMV would soon emerge as an Institute of eminence, with demonstrated excellence in management education and research,” he added.
To the graduating students and the award winners, he said, “Entering this institution facing intense competition, you pursued your academic work with great dedication. With your hard work and with the dedication to maintain high standards, you earned your degrees and awards. It is a moment of pride for you as much as it is for your teachers, parents and those who had any part in shaping your life so far. The knowledge and skills, and more importantly the moral and ethical values that IIMV encourages, would enable you to make a great start.”
Professor M. Chandrasekhar, Director, IIMV, echoed the sentiment in his address. “I am fortunate that I came in at a time when the institute has already made substantial progress under the tutelage of the successive Directors of IIM Bangalore, our mentor. Their inspiring vision and passionate commitment brought this institute into the admirable shape that it finds itself in, today.
“No less valuable has been the dedication and unstinting support by the faculty (for knowledge transfer and experience-sharing) and staff of IIMB in helping this fledgeling institute find its feet, steady itself and graduate into a gallop,” he said.
“Powered as we are by the intellectual and institutional support of IIMB, there can’t be a dearth of ambition either. It has, therefore, been the endeavour of IIM Visakhapatnam to provide, ab initio, integrated learning backed by an innovative curriculum, imaginative pedagogy, internationalisation and industry interface,” he added.
Listing the successes and achievements of the institute, he said, “Almost 70% of IIMV’s students had already acquired work experience upwards of one year. This significantly raised the quality of debate, dialogue, discussions and deliberations both inside and outside the classrooms. It is, therefore, not surprising that our graduates, moulded as well-rounded professionals, created waves by winning several top prizes in many competitions, fests and quizzes, showcasing their talents with equal ease — be it in case studies or corporate affairs; designing or dancing; marketing or mind challenges; innovation or entrepreneurship; simulation or strategy formulation.”
The relevance and rigour of the academic programme, he said, reflected in the positive attributes, skills and knowledge demonstrated by the graduates, and won them high praise in summer placements. The institute could thus attract several reputed companies which made attractive final placement offers.
“IIM Visakhapatnam has already emerged as a much sought-after source in the country, for good talent. The industry spread of our recruiters and the roles offered to our students are diverse and challenging, covering eCommerce, Equity Research & Analytics, Banking, Financial Services & Insurance, FMCG, Infrastructure, IT & ITeS, Logistics, Management Consulting, and Marketing,” he said.
