Addressing the gathering, Professor Rammohan Rao, Dean, Indian School of Business said, “It is a very special moment for us with 416 students of the Class of 2007 graduating today. Our students have played a pivotal role in the progress of the school and the Class of 2007 has shouldered its responsibility in an excellent manner. Grooming our students to take on leadership roles has been our significant strength. I am proud that in a short span of five years the ISB has been successful in setting global benchmarks in education in India.”
Dr Ahluwalia in his inspiring address traced the journey of the ISB “from a dream to a vision to a reality.” He said that the graduates were the “stars of the convocation ceremony” and congratulated them for their “outstanding feats and extraordinary placements”. He urged the students not to limit their management applications only to the corporate sector but to apply them to all sectors which requires huge management inputs. One needs to be “nimble and flexible” in order to meet the real world outside, suggested Dr Singh. H e pointed out that it is not so much “experience and seniority” that makes leaders today but it is the “ability to take risks and think out of the box.”
Chairman Rajat Gupta added to the proud moment and said, “Today all your diligent efforts are being recognised. Take every opportunity to go beyond your immediate jobs and be true ambassadors of the ISB vision and mission.” He stressed on inculcating the “life long learning mind set”. “A B-School helps you prepare to learn more in your careers, “he said. He also advised the graduating class to take every opportunity to lead and hoped that the lessons of leadership learnt at the ISB, during the course, would help them seek leadership opportunities.
At the ceremony, V Subramanian and Suneet Gupta were awarded the ISB Scholars of Excellence Awards in recognition of their exceptional academic performance. The top 10% of the Class of 2007 made it to the Dean’s list for their distinctive performance in various activities during the year of study.
V Subramanian, topper of the Class of 2007, said, “I am taking back a lot of confidence from the ISB. Ten years down the line when I review my career, the ISB will obviously be the turning point. The school gave me the right opportunities and the right platform for networking. It prepared me to face the real world and taught me the difference between success and failure.”
In addition, ISB Merit Scholarships were awarded to 28 students who had scored high marks in the Core Terms. The first 20 students received a scholarship of Rs 2 lakhs each and the remaining 8 students received an award of Rs 1.5 lakhs each. Apart from going through intense academic sessions, the outgoing class organised successful summits and knowledge-sharing sessions in different subjects, in which eminent business leaders, leading academicians, and young achievers participated.
Some Achievements of the Class of 2007
– One of the unique achievements of ISB Students this year was the Business plan they developed for an upcoming B-school in Kolkata. The student group designed a backbone business strategy and also a financial model to set up the school and see it through for the next five years.
– A group of students of the Class of 2007 conceived a business plan with a strategy to accelerate inclusive growth in India through entrepreneurship. This has been recommended to the PMO and the Planning Commission for further study.
– Students of the ‘Pharma Club’ worked with the Organization of Pharmaceuticals Producers of India (OPPI) and designed a first of its kind course in Pharma Management, to be taught at the ISB henceforward.
– Students of the Net Impact Club designed and conducted a Certified Management Workshop for NGOs.
– A ‘Real Estate Club’ was launched and managed by a group of students interested in this nascent industry to discuss the challenges and opportunities that it faces today.
– Students also launched the ISB radio – an intranet streaming radio, accessible within the ISB campus. A core group of students sourced the software, developed programme modules, and even scripted and scored the lyrics and music for the ‘ISB Jingle’ as part of the Radio programme.
In all, the Class of 2007 has performed extremely well in all areas of academic activity as well as in extra curricular activities leaving an indelible mark in the history of the School.