SPJIMR welcomes PGEMP batch 103
September 17, 2025
SPJIMR welcomed the 103rd batch of its Post Graduate Executive Management Programme (PGEMP) with a ceremonial lamp lighting that marked the beginning of an intensive learning journey for seasoned professionals. The ceremony featured distinguished faculty members Prof. Preeta George, Prof. Subir Rao, and Prof. R. Jayaraman, alongside participants and Chief Guest Mr. Arun Rajan, Group Chief Human Resources Officer at Blue Star Limited, and Ms. Neha Ghosh from Blue Star.
The ceremony commenced with the traditional teacher-student relationship prayer, establishing the sacred bond between faculty and participants that continues to be the cornerstone of transformative education at SPJIMR.
Vision for management excellence
Prof. Preeta George, Associate Dean – Executive Education, addressed the gathering with profound insights on the institution’s distinctive approach to management education. She referenced the foundational philosophy of Dr. M.L. Shrikant, SPJIMR’s Honorary Dean, emphasising that “material success is important, but it can ring hollow without an understanding of the deeper purpose that must guide our decisions and a spirit of service that must lead us to action.” Prof. George reaffirmed that SPJIMR continues to adhere steadfastly to its guiding principles.
She highlighted that SPJIMR’s identity is more than a business school, positioning it as a comprehensive management institution. She proudly referenced the institution’s ‘Triple Crown’ accreditation and its expanding presence across Mumbai and Delhi campuses, reinforcing SPJIMR’s commitment to excellence in executive education.
Prof. George further identified three critical challenges facing contemporary leaders: navigating today’s complex economic landscape, leveraging artificial intelligence effectively, and addressing sustainability and ESG imperatives. She positioned ‘wise innovation’ as the strategic response to these challenges, emphasising that businesses must innovate inclusively whilst maintaining ethical foundations.
“Learning can come from anywhere and anyone,” Prof. George reminded participants. “Enjoy this ride – it will be like a rollercoaster as you balance family, office work, and studies.”
Programme architecture and methodology
Prof. Subir Rao, Deputy Chairperson for PGEMP, outlined the programme’s unique three-way partnership model connecting SPJIMR, participants, and their companies. He detailed the competency goals and the distinctive TLAP (theory, learning, application, practice) pedagogical model that characterises the SPJIMR approach.
Prof. Rao emphasised the importance of pre-reading cases, noting that whilst the cohort collectively brought an average of 14–15 years of experience per participant across 4–5 companies, a deeper understanding required thorough preparation and active engagement with learning materials.
Leadership insights on continuous renewal
Chief Guest Mr. Arun Rajan, drawing from his 21 years of experience, shared compelling insights on the necessity of continuous learning and renewal in today’s rapidly evolving business environment. “It’s always humbling to come back to college,” he reflected, describing SPJIMR as providing essential space for professional renewal.
He introduced the powerful metaphor of the eagle’s renewal process, explaining how eagles must make the difficult choice to break their beaks and wait for regeneration rather than succumb to decline. He applied this concept to executive development, identifying three essential actions:
- Discard: Actively unlearn outdated practices, acknowledging that “most of us don’t even know what we don’t know.”
- Defy: Break through self-imposed limitations that constrain growth and innovation.
- Delay gratification: Embrace the evolution from T-shaped to M-shaped careers, developing multiple areas of expertise rather than relying on a single specialisation.
“Learning is the new oxygen,” Mr. Rajan declared, positioning continuous education as essential for survival in the modern business landscape.
Commitment to transformation
The event concluded with participants taking a collective oath, formally committing to their learning journey and the values that SPJIMR represents.
Batch 103 comprises accomplished professionals from leading organisations, including Larsen & Toubro, Schneider Electric, BPCL, and Blue Star, representing diverse industries and bringing rich practical experience to the classroom.
As these executives embark on their PGEMP journey, they carry forward SPJIMR’s mission to develop leaders who combine business acumen with ethical purpose, ready to navigate complexity through wise innovation and transformative leadership.