Launch Overview
On July 7, 2026, the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIM Udaipur) conducted a virtual inauguration of its newly created Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme. The ceremony was opened by Prof. Kunal Kamal Kumar, Chairperson of the BBA programme, and featured a welcome address by Prof. Ashok Banerjee, Director of IIM Udaipur. The event was attended by students, parents, faculty, alumni and other stakeholders joining through an online platform.
Chief Guest Participation
The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, served as the chief guest. Due to heavy rain in Mumbai, his flight was delayed on the tarmac for approximately one and a half hours; he subsequently joined the ceremony from his car, switching on a live video feed immediately after landing. Despite the delay, he chose not to keep the audience waiting.
Minister’s Remarks
Minister Goyal described the BBA programme as “very unique” and a “good concept,” emphasizing that its bilingual (Hindi‑supported and English) delivery will make management education more accessible in a simpler language. He linked the programme’s philosophy to the legacy of Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, India’s first Industry Minister, who advocated teaching in the mother‑tongue and a strong role for universities in nation‑building. Goyal highlighted the global reputation of the IIM brand, noting that IIM graduates are recognised in boardrooms from Mumbai to Manhattan and that the institute has fostered successful alumni ventures such as Bombay Shaving Company and CurryiT.
He underscored the post‑COVID‑19 shift toward EdTech, noting that India now has nearly 100 crore internet users and that the National Education Policy encourages scaling quality education through digital platforms. In this context, he praised the programme’s hybrid model—online delivery combined with offline examinations—as a means to maintain accountability while expanding reach to remote locations, from a small shop in Bhilwara to former Naxal‑affected areas of Bastar.
Programme Features
The BBA programme is offered in both Hindi and English, with scholarships available to support talented students irrespective of their circumstances. Instruction is faculty‑led, structured, and includes regular quizzes, examinations, feedback mechanisms and continuous improvement. Assessment follows a hybrid model: online teaching complemented by offline tests to ensure rigor. The curriculum is designed to develop management capability, not merely to provide study material.
Institutional Context
Prof. Kunal Kamal Kumar highlighted that IIM Udaipur, established in 2011, has built a distinctive reputation over 15 years, earning recognition in global rankings as a young business school. He emphasized that the programme removes barriers related to language, location, time, cost, family responsibilities or confidence, while maintaining high academic standards.
Prof. Ashok Banerjee welcomed the minister’s suggestions and affirmed the institute’s commitment to act on them. Dean Anirban Adhikary reiterated the research‑oriented culture of IIM Udaipur and urged the inaugural batch to uphold discipline and high standards. Dean Vijayta Doshi linked the BBA programme to the broader portfolio of IIM Udaipur, emphasizing inclusive yet rigorous management education.
Minister’s Recommendations and Follow‑up
Minister Goyal offered four key suggestions:
1. Organise periodic faculty visits and student gatherings at different locations to foster human interaction and group engagement.
2. Emphasise soft‑skill development, including deep technology knowledge, communication, teamwork and cultural exchange.
3. Provide experiential learning through onsite visits to factories, ports and industrial clusters.
4. Adopt global best practices such as audio‑visual tools, credit transfer under the NEP, partnerships with reputable institutions, joint physical‑virtual programmes, and research internships in the fourth year.
Prof. Kunal Kamal Kumar committed that IIM Udaipur will implement these suggestions and share progress by the end of the calendar year.
Closing Remarks
Minister Goyal concluded by wishing the first batch success, urging them to leverage the “Amrit Kaal” to build a “Viksit Bharat.” He highlighted opportunities arising from new free‑trade agreements, renewed manufacturing push and innovation priorities, and expressed confidence that the programme will enable graduates to contribute meaningfully to India’s development.
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