JAMMU, Aug 22 : Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu and called upon the institute to develop a distinctive academic identity, strengthen experiential learning and focus its research on issues relevant to border economies, sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
Addressing the Board of Governors, faculty, students, alumni and other dignitaries, Sinha said IIM Jammu had scripted a remarkable journey over the past decade, evolving from a modest beginning into one of India's emerging business schools.
Recalling that the institute began with just 56 students at a temporary campus on Canal Road, he said IIM Jammu had now gained national recognition and developed international academic partnerships.
The Lieutenant Governor noted that IIM Jammu had become the fifth IIM in the country to receive both AMBA and EFMD accreditation. He also highlighted its collaborations with institutions in countries including France, Morocco, South Korea, Greece, the UK, Germany, Australia, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan and Brazil.
He said the institute's research output had also increased substantially, from two published papers in 2017 to nearly 350 this year.
Sinha appreciated the decade-long efforts of Director Prof B S Sahay, faculty members and the Board of Governors, describing IIM Jammu's growth as an example for other business schools.
Drawing lessons from leading institutions such as Harvard, Stanford and Wharton, he said successful business schools had built their global reputation by developing distinctive strengths and pursuing them consistently.
The Lieutenant Governor identified four key priorities for IIM Jammu.
He called for developing a distinctive academic identity, with greater emphasis on case studies based on Indian businesses and the unique economic and entrepreneurial challenges of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
He also stressed the importance of experiential learning, suggesting that every student should undertake a practical project before graduation through entrepreneurship initiatives, policy challenges or engagement with local businesses.
On research, Sinha called for a sharper focus on border economies, sustainable development and frontier entrepreneurship, areas where he said IIM Jammu was well placed to emerge as a national and global leader.
He also described placements as part of a broader nation-building exercise, expressing hope that IIM Jammu graduates would go on to transform major companies and establish successful enterprises contributing to India's goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
"The real examinations take place in corporate boardrooms, markets and in life itself, where the data is often incomplete, stakeholders have differing opinions and there is no teacher to provide readymade answers," Sinha said.
He urged the institute to convert its growth into new discoveries and develop solutions in administration, sustainable development and entrepreneurship, particularly in border regions.
"Great institutions are great because, when the nation faces difficult questions, it looks to them for answers," he said, expressing confidence that IIM Jammu could earn global recognition over the next decade.
On the occasion, Sinha released seven coffee-table books published by IIM Jammu.
Chairman of the Board of Governors Padma Dr Milind Pralhad Kamble, former BoG Chairman Sriram Dandekar, BoG member Anand Kripalu, IIM Jammu Director Prof B S Sahay, Advent International Operating Partner S Shivakumar, vice chancellors of various universities, faculty members, students, senior civil and police officials and prominent citizens attended the event.
