IIM Vizag inducts new executive batch from defence PSUs

Visakhapatnam: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Visakhapatnam inaugurated the second batch of the executive post-graduate diploma program in management for officers and executives from the defence sector. Developed under the guidance of the department of defence production, Union ministry of defence, and in knowledge partnership with HAL Management Academy, BEL Academy for Excellence (Nalanda), and the National Academy of Defence Production, the one-year program aims to strengthen leadership and management acumen in the defence sector. The batch includes participants from six defence public sector undertakings, NAD, and a private defence firm. The cohort has an average age of 38 years and over 12 years of work experienceThe inauguration ceremony was graced by Capt. Ganti Venkateswarlu, chairman and managing director (additional Charge), Hindustan Shipyard Limited, as the chief guest. In his keynote address, he lauded IIM Visakhapatnam for the successful completion of the first batch of EPGDPM and called upon the participants to work towards self-reliance in the defence sector. He said that leadership requires multifaceted personalities capable of navigating complexity, inspiring teams, and driving transformation. He encouraged the participants to strive to achieve even an incremental change that can collectively create a significant impact.Prof. M. Chandrasekhar, director, IIM Visakhapatnam, highlighted the program’s strong academia-industry collaboration and its case-based, curated management learning approach. He emphasised defence as a strategic growth sector and noted that IIMV has conceptualised the program to address the specific needs of the defence industry.Prof Prashant Premkumar Nair, admissions chair, introduced the cohort profile. Prof. B. Srirangacharyulu, program chair, briefed the participants on the curriculum, delivery model, and learning objectives of the program.Prof Nair expressed gratitude to the participants and their families for their commitment, the ministry of defence for its trust and partnership, and the faculty and staff of IIM Visakhapatnam for their support in making the program possible.Defence sector leadershipThe EPGDPM is structured as a modular MBAThe participants are awarded an executive post graduate diploma upon successful completion of the first yearThey will have an option to continue for a second year to earn an MBADelivered in a hybrid format, the program includes online sessions and six weeks of campus immersionThe first two-week immersion is held at IIM Visakhapatnam at the start of the programThe second two-week immersion includes one week at HAL Management Academy and BEL Academy for Excellence (Nalanda), and one week at NADP, NagpurThe third two-week immersion is held at ESCP Business School, Paris, France