SPJIMR celebrates a milestone with PGPDM batch 25
February 7, 2025
SPJIMR marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of batch 25 (the silver jubilee batch) of its Post Graduate Programme in Development Management (PGPDM). The inauguration ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp and the guru-shishya prayers, symbolising the significance of knowledge. In his welcome address, Prof. Tanojkumar Meshram, Chairperson of PGPDM, shared the programme’s journey from inception to the present. He highlighted SPJIMR’s commitment to nurturing responsible management education and the programme’s growth over the years. Key milestones include:
- In 2011, the programme was established to enhance the leadership capacity of professionals in the social sector.
- The modular design was thoughtfully customised to accommodate working professionals who could not leave their jobs while advancing their skills.
- The programme integrates the best practices from both development and management, catering to participants from social work and development backgrounds seeking leadership and management skills.
- A few years ago, the programme was scaled to maximise its potential for greater impact.
- To date, PGPDM has positively impacted over 350 organisations across 26 Indian states.
- PGPDM alumni hold influential positions such as founders, heads, trustees, and directors of NGOs, as well as social entrepreneurs, CSR managers, programme officers, and consultants within the social sector.
Lavanya Jayaram, Regional Director, South Asia at AVPN, was the chief guest at the event. She discussed the evolving social investment landscape, addressing funding gaps, funder dynamics, collaborations, impact bonds, and blended finance models. She emphasised the need for an outcomes-based approach, stating, “The dynamic between funders and grantees should be one of equals, where both parties recognise each other’s expertise. Funders may provide capital, but the work is a collective effort. We must shift away from the old power dynamics, where money dictates control, and embrace collaboration. By reaching out to diverse partners – even those with differing perspectives – we can find innovative solutions.”
Batch 25, with 44 participants, is one of the largest cohorts in the programme’s history. The cohort brings together individuals with an average of nine years of work experience from various professional backgrounds, including grassroots NGOs, CSR, social enterprises, and government. Participants represent 16 states across India and come from diverse educational backgrounds in areas such as social work, engineering, and MBA. With a gender split of 40% female and 60% male, the diversity of batch 25 will foster a rich learning environment and encourage collaboration.