Programme Launch and Partnership
IIM Sambalpur announced a collaboration with IAE Bordeaux University School of Management to offer an Executive PhD & DBA dual‑degree programme designed for senior professionals who wish to conduct publishable research without leaving their current roles. Successful participants will receive an Executive PhD from IIM Sambalpur and a Doctorate in Business Administration from IAE Bordeaux.
Cohort Structure and Participant Profile
The programme currently hosts three active cohorts:
- Cohort 2026‑2029: 14 senior professionals holding titles such as Executive Director, Chairman, Director, Vice President and Founder & CEO, drawn from multinational and national firms in technology, automotive, consulting, renewable energy and engineering.
- Cohort 2025‑2028: 20 senior professionals with experience in technology, finance, defence, energy and healthcare, bringing cross‑sector expertise.
- Cohort 2024‑2027 (founding cohort): 16 scholars representing organisations including the Adani Group, NTT DATA, HPCL, Korn Ferry, Google and LAVA International, comprising Managing Directors, Vice Presidents, CEOs, a Joint President and senior government officials.
In total, 50 senior leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and India form a single research community.
Immersion Programme Details
A three‑day Induction & Immersion programme was held at IIM Sambalpur from 30 October to 1 November 2026. The schedule featured:
- A welcome address by Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur.
- A chief guest and keynote address by Dr. Rajiv Kohli, John N. Dalton Memorial Professor of Business, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary, USA.
- An address by Dr. Jorge Cardoso, Programme Director, International DBA Cohort, IAE Bordeaux, outlining the international academic significance of the initiative.
The immersion brought together leading academic voices to discuss contemporary management challenges, global business trends, leadership and the evolving role of research in practice.
Rationale and Expected Impact
The programme is positioned as a response to the growing demand for leaders capable of applying evidence‑based answers to organisational problems amid AI adoption, energy transition, geopolitical realignment and digital public infrastructure development. Participants are expected to return to their boardrooms with research‑driven insights, contributing to management thought, organisational transformation and evidence‑based business practice in India and globally.
Additional Information
For further details, interested parties can visit the programme webpage at https://iimsambalpur.ac.in/programmes/executive-phd-dba-dual-degree.