IIM Bangalore Welcomes First Undergraduate Cohort at Dorabji Tata School in Jigani
80 students from 20 states join inaugural BSc programmes in Data Sciences and Economics
The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has welcomed its first-ever undergraduate cohort to the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore – Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies at Jigani.
The inaugural batch comprises 80 students from 20 states, who have joined the BSc (Hons) programmes in Data Sciences and Economics. The inauguration ceremony was held on August 31, marking IIM Bangalore’s entry into undergraduate education.
The event was attended by IIMB leadership, faculty, dignitaries, Tata Trusts representatives and members of the inaugural student cohort.
The ceremony began with a welcome address by Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Officiating Dean, UG Programmes and Dean, Programmes, followed by an invocation and lighting of the lamp.
Focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Bangalore, and Chairman and Founder, Narayana Health, described the occasion as significant for India’s education system.
He thanked Noel Tata, Chairman, Tata Trusts, and referred to the legacy of Tata-supported institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science and Tata Memorial Centre.
Dr. Shetty said the new school would contribute to preparing students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. He also noted that 25% of the founding batch is receiving full or partial scholarships.
Quoting Jamsetji Tata, he said, “In a free country with its vast natural resources, an intellectual revolution is the only thing that can elevate the condition of the people.”
Tata Trusts highlights institutional responsibility
Siddharth Sharma, CEO, Tata Trusts, urged the inaugural cohort to recognise its responsibility in shaping the culture of the new institution from its beginning.
Drawing on his experience across government, corporate and development sectors, Sharma highlighted four principles for the students — honesty, integrity, hard work, and continuous learning and re-learning.
“There are no shortcuts to reaching the top of any profession,” he said, adding that students’ development as human beings would be more important than their career progression.
Sharma also pointed to the shortage of high-quality higher education institutions in India, saying this has made admissions more of an elimination process than a selection process.
He said the current cohort of 80 students is expected to grow to 2,400 students with 150 faculty members by 2034.
He further urged students to prepare for a future shaped by artificial intelligence and rapid technological change.
IIMB outlines role of new school
Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge, IIMB, acknowledged the Government of Karnataka for granting more than 100 acres for the campus. He also thanked the Board of Governors, Tata Trusts and partners including Axis Bank, State Street and Wipro.
He said the school addresses a national challenge related to undergraduate education and employability. Referring to the legacy of Nalanda University and IIMB’s motto of studying, enlightening and co-creating knowledge, he told students that their four years at the institution would involve active knowledge creation alongside faculty rather than being a one-way learning process.
A tribute video was also screened during the ceremony, honouring those involved in establishing the school. The programme included visuals from the Campus Integration Run, led by Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean, Faculty, from IIMB’s Bannerghatta Road campus to Jigani.
Industry partner urges students to use campus resources
Abhejit Agrawal, Head of Sustainability and CSR, Axis Bank and an IIM Calcutta alumnus, encouraged the students to make full use of the faculty and campus resources.
He advised the inaugural cohort not to feel weighed down by the reputation of the institution and concluded his address with a line from Shakespeare: “I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.”
The inaugural cohort marks the beginning of IIM Bangalore’s undergraduate programmes in Data Sciences and Economics at the Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies in Jigani.
