A very warm welcome to all of you.

It is my privilege to present the Director’s Report at the 45th Convocation of IMT Ghaziabad.

Today is not only a celebration of your achievements—
it is also a moment to reflect on the direction in which management education, and IMT Ghaziabad, are evolving.

The Changing Context

We are living through a period of deep structural transformation.

This is not incremental change—
it is a shift in the very foundations of how organisations operate
and how societies define value.

The role of the manager is evolving:
—from controlling processes to working alongside intelligent systems
—from executing plans to navigating ambiguity
—from pursuing efficiency to balancing purpose with performance

In such a world, management education cannot remain anchored in the past.

It must prepare individuals not for predictable careers—
but for uncertainty, adaptation, and lifelong learning.

Institutional Identity and Direction

In response, IMT Ghaziabad has reaffirmed its identity as:
“A Professional School Contributing to the Knowledge Economy.”

Our mission is anchored in five pillars:
Knowledge. Innovation. Tech-readiness. Entrepreneurial Mindset. Sustainability.

This is not a statement.
It is a shift—
from delivering programs
to shaping leaders with capability, character, and judgment.

Global Standing

This direction is reflected in our growing global standing:

• Ranked 25th worldwide in the Case Centre Impact Index 2025
• Ranked 66th globally in the Financial Times Masters in Finance

These are not just rankings—
they are signals of relevance in a changing global academic landscape.

Role–Competency Framework

One of the most important shifts at IMT Ghaziabad
has been the move to a Role–Competency framework.

Organisations today hire for roles—not functions.

Our objective is simple, but demanding:
to ensure that our graduates are ready from day one,
while remaining adaptable for long-term career evolution.

Experiential Learning

At IMT Ghaziabad, learning is not confined to the classroom.
It is lived.

This year, our students:

• Participated in 20+ national and international competitions
• Engaged in the Sustainability & Social Responsibility course
• Worked in Bloomberg, Analytics, and Emerging Technology labs
• Underwent structured reflection through a Leadership Lab and Assessment Centre
• Built problem-solving capability through Design Thinking

Learning here is not just conceptual—
it is applied, contextual, and reflective.

Research and Thought Leadership

We see ourselves not only as educators—
but as contributors to the knowledge economy.

In the past year:

• 103 publications, including 53 in ABDC A/A* and FT50 journals
• 13 case studies, including two with Harvard Business Impact
• 63 practitioner articles
• 45 conference presentations
• Our research spans AI in business, immersive technologies in marketing, sustainability, and financial markets
  reflecting the intersection of technology, markets, and society.

Emerging Academic Capabilities

We are building new capabilities aligned to the future:

• An AI-enabled case repository integrating adaptive learning with faculty insight
• A landmark study with UN Global Compact Network India:
  “Building India’s Net Zero Capability: Industry Readiness and Skills”

This is not just academic work—
it is a contribution to industry practice and national priorities.

Diversity and Inclusion

Our classrooms reflect diversity:

• 43% women students
• Representation from 20+ states

This diversity enriches dialogue
and prepares students for global environments.

Scholarships such as the Smt. Leela Nath Memorial Scholarship and Meritorious Scholarships remain central to our commitment to access and excellence.

343 students in this graduating class
received scholarships and financial assistance
totalling ₹8,55,52,000

This reflects our commitment to inclusivity and excellence.

Placements

Our placement outcomes reflect strong industry confidence:

• Average salary: ₹18 LPA
• Median salary: ₹17 LPA
• 200+ recruiters

But beyond the numbers lies something more important—
trust in the capability of our graduates.

Global Engagement

Our international footprint continues to expand:

Partnerships with:

• KEDGE Business School
• aivancity School for Technology, Business & Society
• Vlerick Business School

Student mobility:

• 52 outbound exchange students across 11 global partner institutions in Europe and the Americas

These are not just numbers—
they are experiences that shape global perspective.

Dubai Campus

Our Dubai campus is emerging as a critical pillar:

• 203 students in the Dual Country Program
• 50 students in global immersion

This represents a transnational model of management education—
integrating India with global markets.

Centres of Excellence

Our Centres of Excellence bridge academia and practice:

• Centre for Financial Markets, One BKC, Mumbai
• Centre for Sports Research & Development

They ensure learning remains connected to real-world application.

Leadership in Practice

Leadership is not taught—
it is practised.

This year, our students:

• Won the L’Oréal Sustainability Challenge
• Achieved global recognition at L’Oréal Brandstorm

But more importantly—
your journey here has taught you:

Leadership is not a position. It is a practice.

IMT Ghaziabad is not evolving incrementally.
It is transforming—deliberately—into a globally engaged, future-ready institution.

Dear Class of 2026,

I acknowledge your parents and families—
whose support made this journey possible.

To our faculty—
you are the architects of this transformation.

To our alumni and industry partners—
your engagement strengthens us.

And to my colleagues—
this moment belongs to all of us.

As you leave this campus,
you become part of a legacy—
a legacy of leaders who have navigated change and shaped industries.

Today, that legacy passes on to you.

The world you enter will demand:
competence, resilience, and integrity.

But above all—
it will test the strength of your character.

Congratulations, Class of 2026.

May you lead with clarity,
act with courage,
live with purpose,
and serve this nation with responsibility and pride.

Jai Hind.

Thank you.