JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu concluded the three-day Orientation holistic Programme for the 6th Batch of the Integrated Programme in Management (IPM 2026-2031) with a Valedictory Session at the Institute on 3rd Sept 2026 . The programme, coordinated by Dr. Pratik Maheshwari, provided the new cohort with a comprehensive introduction to academic life, mentorship, industry expectations, leadership, communication and the vibrant student community at IIM Jammu.
Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty & Research, IIM Jammu, encouraged students to actively share their views, ask questions and make the fullest use of the opportunities available on campus. He emphasised that the Institute’s academic, professional, sports and other facilities belong to the students and urged them to leverage resources such as certification programmes and the Nalanda Library to the fullest. Reflecting on the growth of the IPM programme and the journey of its first batch into the MBA programme, he encouraged students to remain focused, set clear goals, engage actively with the campus community and contribute to society. He assured them of a safe and supportive environment at IIM Jammu and expressed confidence that their journey would help them emerge as well-rounded individuals and future leaders.
Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, welcomed the students to what he described as a journey of uncertainty, encouraging them to embrace change, ambiguity and the unexpected challenges that may shape their five-year journey. Reflecting on the diverse sessions and experiences offered during the three-day orientation, he urged students to thoughtfully “consume the basket” of opportunities available to them rather than placing the responsibility on others.
He emphasised that the world is witnessing unprecedented disruptions, with rapidly changing technologies, shifting global dynamics and evolving societal realities, and noted that students would likely encounter significant transformations during their five years at the Institute. He encouraged them to develop the courage to identify their place and make their presence felt amid such change, emphasising that the courage to stand for what is right, meaningful and purposeful is an integral part of the IIM Jammu experience.
Dr. Archana Sharma, Chairperson, IPM, commenced the session with an inspiring quote and encouraged students to use their five-year journey at IIM Jammu as an opportunity to discover themselves, understand their strengths and identify how they can contribute meaningfully to society. She provided an overview of the three-day orientation programme, emphasising that academics would remain at the core of all activities, while the diverse experiences at the Institute would complement their overall development. Encouraging students to make the most of the opportunities around them, she urged them to reflect on how they would leverage their time, resources and experiences at IIM Jammu to become the Gen Z generation that society looks up toresponsible, capable, compassionate and ready to create meaningful impact.
Mr. Arup Bhattacharya, Chief Programme Officer Academics, IIM Jammu, delivered the Vote of Thanks and expressed appreciation to all faculty members, speakers, coordinators, staff, students and stakeholders who contributed to the successful conduct of the Orientation Programme. The Valedictory Session culminated with the National Song and National Anthem, formally marking the completion of the three-day orientation and the beginning of the students’ five-year academic journey at IIM Jammu.
Earlier in the day, the programme commenced with an early morning session on ‘Maximize Happiness and Mindfulness’ by Mr. Sahil Mehra, Yoga Guru, under the aegis of Anandam – The Centre for Happiness, IIM Jammu, under the aegis of Anandam: The Centre for Happiness, IIM Jammu.The session encouraged students to cultivate mindfulness, positivity and balance as an integral part of their academic and personal journey.
A session on ‘4-Tier Mentor-Mentee Programme at IIM Jammu’ was conducted by Prof. Neeraj Soni, introducing students to the Institute’s structured mentorship framework. The session highlighted the importance of guidance, peer support, meaningful relationships and holistic development throughout the students’ academic journey.
As part of the student induction experience, Dr. Kavita Yadav, Dr. Satvik Gupta and Dr. Soumyadeep Bandyopadhyay from the OB-HR and Communication area conduct engaging inbound and outbound activities designed to foster teamwork, collaboration and meaningful peer interaction. Through a series of thoughtfully curated exercises, students worked in diverse groups, shared experiences, explored common ground and developed greater trust and understanding among peers. The activities emphasized communication, empathy, self-reflection and collective decision-making, providing the new cohort with an experiential platform to build connections and strengthen their sense of belonging at IIM Jammu.
Ms. Bharti Goyal Maan, Vice President & Business Leader – Automotive & Mobility, Capgemini highlighted that the rapidly evolving business landscape demands much more than technical competence, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, leadership and the ability to think differently. She noted that management education should empower young professionals not merely to seek opportunities but also to create them. She further emphasized the need for students to develop a strong professional identity, embrace technological advancements and changing workplace dynamics, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. She observed that institutions such as IIM Jammu provide students with a valuable platform to learn, question, experiment and prepare themselves to lead with purpose in an increasingly dynamic business environment.
This was insightful session by Mr. Prateek Jain, CFA, Associate Director, EY-Parthenon, on “Resilience and Personal Branding as the Keys to Thriving in the Future of Work.” Drawing from his professional journey, Mr. Jain shared valuable insights on consulting as a career, the importance of developing a combination of hard and soft skills, learning from the campus community, and continuously investing in personal growth. Through the Bamboo Stick Analogy, he highlighted how consistent efforts may take time to yield visible results but can lead to significant growth over time. He also emphasised the importance of personal branding and building a strong professional identity and reputation. The session encouraged students to make the most of their college years, embrace continuous learning and develop the resilience and adaptability needed to thrive in a dynamic professional landscape.
Shri Shailesh K. Lohiya, Librarian, IIM Jammu, introduced the students to the Nalanda Library, the Institute’s state-of-the-art knowledge and learning resource centre, recognised among the leading academic libraries. He familiarised the students with its diverse facilities, resources and services, highlighting the library’s role in supporting academic excellence, research and continuous learning.
The three-day Orientation Programme brought together academic orientation, mindfulness, mentorship, experiential learning, industry interaction, entrepreneurship, global exposure, technology, communication, student engagement and institutional awareness, providing IPM 06 with a strong foundation for the journey ahead.
As the new cohort formally begins its five-year journey at the Indian Institute of Management Jammu, the Orientation Programme marked not merely an introduction to the Institute, but the beginning of a transformative chapter of learning, discovery, friendship, leadership and growth.
