Leadership skills for managers: Trekking-Based Management Development Programme in the Lower Himalayas Concludes at IIM Jammu

JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu concluded the three-day Leadership Skills for Managers: Trekking-Based Management Development Programme (MDP) held from February 09–11, 2026. The valedictory ceremony was conducted on 11 February 2026 at Dharma Classroom, Vedanta MDP Centre Academic Block, IIM Jammu. The training programme consisted of 36 participants from different part of the country employed with NTPC.

The programme, designed and delivered by IIM Jammu Executive Education and Consultancy, combined experiential learning with trekking-based outdoor engagement in the serene backdrop of the Lower Himalayas. The initiative aimed at strengthening leadership competencies such as resilience, strategic thinking, team cohesion, adaptability, and decision-making under uncertainty. The innovative design of the programme blended classroom sessions with immersive trekking exercises, allowing participants to translate management theories into real-world leadership practices. Through reflective learning, group challenges, and guided discussions, participants explored the dynamics of trust-building, collaborative problem-solving, and agile leadership in complex environments.

Prof. Ravij Seth, Program Director, IIM Jammu, in his address presented the comprehensive programme report and highlighted the key components of the Trekking-Based Leadership Skills MDP. He elaborated on the seven intensive sessions conducted during the programme, focusing on team building, crisis navigation, sustainability, and achieving work-life balance.

Emphasizing that life and leadership are often marked by conflicts and complexities, he underscored the importance of developing resilience and effective conflict resolution skills.He also spoke about the significance of networking and collaborative learning, referencing the Institute’s engagement with three Institutions of National Importance. Prof. Seth further assured that structured feedback from participants would be carefully incorporated to continuously enhance the quality and impact of future programmes.

Prof. Rajesh Sikka, Co-Chairperson, Executive Education and Consultancy (EE&C), IIM Jammu, stated that the programme was carefully customized to meet the specific needs of the organization. He emphasized that the relationships built during the programme would continue beyond its completion and highlighted the crucial role of PSUs in nation-building, stressing the importance of continuous upskilling.

He briefly outlined the immersive design of the programme and noted IIM Jammu’s achievement as one of the first third-generation IIMs to earn prestigious international accreditations, including EFMD accreditation for its MBA programme and BGA institutional accreditation. He encouraged participants to consistently unlearn and reskill themselves to remain relevant in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Participants shared their reflections, emphasizing the transformative value of experiential learning in enhancing self-awareness, endurance, and team leadership capabilities.The participants shared heartfelt reflections and expressed their sincere appreciation to IIM Jammu for organizing such a unique and enriching programme. They highlighted the depth of knowledge delivered during the sessions and described the visiting faculty as unparalleled in their expertise and engagement.Participants remarked that IIM Jammu clearly has an edge due to its academic rigor, experiential learning approach, and seamless programme execution.

They described the overall experience as truly homely, noting that every small detail was thoughtfully taken care of. The learning, delivered through practical case discussions and real-life applications, was described as power-packed and deeply impactful.They congratulated IIM Jammu for curating a memorable programme and thanked the Institute for providing them with the opportunity to participate. Several participants shared that the sessions had rekindled their academic aspirations, with some expressing interest in pursuing a Ph.D. and exploring opportunities in academia.

Shri Pardeep Saini, Program Officer,  Business Development, EE & C, acknowledged the valuable feedback shared by the participants and stated that the inputs received are being carefully reviewed for further strengthening future programmes. He appreciated the batch for being highly interactive and engaged throughout the sessions, adding that the programme would remain a memory of a lifetime for all involved.

Certificates were distributed to the participants, marking the successful completion of the programme. The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Vinod C. Durge, Programme Director,IIM Jammu who expressed gratitude to the leadership of IIM Jammu, faculty members, organizing team, and participants for their wholehearted involvement and contribution to the programme’s success. The trekking-based MDP reflects IIM Jammu’s continued commitment to innovative, experiential, and impact-driven executive education, reinforcing its mission to develop agile, resilient, and future-ready leaders for diverse sectors.