Events@IIMB
IIMB Community celebrates Independence Day 2025
IIM Bangalore marked Independence Day with a spirited gathering on campus, where the national flag was unfurled and the anthem sung in unison by faculty, students, staff, and their families. In his address, Director-In-Charge Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar reflected on India’s enduring values of dignity and compassion and highlighted IIMB’s recent contributions to nation-building, including new undergraduate programs, the country’s first research centre for private equity and venture capital, and initiatives in sustainability.
The celebrations carried forward with cultural performances by the music club, dance society, and theatre troupe, while children of the IIMB community added charm with their enthusiastic singing. The event brought together people across the campus in a joyful expression of unity, pride, and promise for the future.
A Fond Farewell to Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan
The IIM Bangalore community gathered to bid farewell to Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan, whose five-year term as Director concluded on July 19, 2025. The event was filled with heartfelt reflections on his leadership, especially during the pandemic years when he steered the institute with clarity, compassion, and resilience. Faculty spoke of his encouragement for research and new initiatives like the BBA DBE program, while staff fondly recalled his attention to detail and steady guidance. The Staff Recreation Committee also acknowledged his constant support. In his parting address, Professor Krishnan thanked the IIMB fraternity for their commitment and urged everyone to strive for excellence. He also extended a warm welcome to Professor Dinesh Kumar, who assumes charge as the new Director. The farewell was not just a goodbye but a celebration of leadership rooted in integrity and vision.
SEHAT Workshop Advances Mental Health Research in India
IIM Bangalore hosted a workshop on mental health research under the SEHAT (Survey of Health Trends) study, in collaboration with Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill. The event convened scholars, policymakers, and researchers to discuss pressing issues around mental health care in India, using robust evidence drawn from CPHS-SEHAT panel data. Presentations covered diverse themes—from adolescent anxiety and domestic violence interventions to the link between parental mental health and child vaccination. Discussions highlighted the economic, gender, and environmental dimensions of mental well-being, alongside innovative approaches like universal screening, financial incentives, and behavioral therapy models. The findings emphasized the urgent need to integrate mental health into India’s broader healthcare ecosystem, reduce stigma, and create cost-effective interventions for vulnerable groups. By bridging academic rigor with policy relevance, the workshop strengthened the case for a more inclusive and data-driven mental health strategy in India.
Ayusmat 2025: Reimagining Healthcare for the Next Decade
IIM Bangalore’s flagship healthcare leadership summit, Ayusmat 2025, explored the theme “Healthcare 2030: Drivers of Disruption—Management, Machines, or Markets.” Bringing together leaders from medicine, policy, technology, and entrepreneurship, the summit examined how these forces intersect to shape India’s healthcare future. Keynote speaker Jawaid Akhtar, IAS, spoke about the sector’s post-pandemic challenges—rising costs, skill gaps, and digitalization pressures—emphasizing the need to balance governance, technology, and market forces. Discussions spanned AI in clinical care, financing healthcare for inclusivity, and the climate impact of hospitals. Panels showcased how collaboration between management practices, advanced technologies, and adaptive business models can deliver accessible, affordable, and sustainable care. A highlight was the SmartTANK showcase, where startups pitched breakthrough ideas in AI diagnostics and green healthcare. Ayusmat 2025 reaffirmed that the future of healthcare lies not in one driver alone, but in the convergence of leadership, innovation, and equitable access.
IIMB Launches Undergraduate Degrees in Economics & Data Science
Marking a historic step, IIM Bangalore announced two new undergraduate programs—the BSc (Hons.) in Economics with a minor in Data Science and Business, and the BSc (Hons.) in Data Science with a minor in Economics and Business. The full-time residential degrees, beginning August 2026 at the upcoming Jigani campus, aim to nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers with a balance of technical depth and liberal arts perspective. Designed in line with India’s National Education Policy, the programs emphasize experiential learning through internships, global exchanges, and interdisciplinary coursework. Admissions open in September 2025, with the inaugural cohort capped at 80 students. Faculty drawn from global institutions will anchor the programs, supported by financial aid for deserving candidates. With a vision to bridge the gap between higher education and industry needs, IIMB’s undergraduate initiative represents a bold leap toward shaping future leaders who are both analytical and empathetic.
