ISB celebrates second graduation day at Mohali Campus

The Indian School of Business (ISB) recently held the convocation for its flagship one year MBA (PGP). The class of 2014 graduated amidst a colourful ceremony at the Mohali Campus. 

The Indian School of Business (ISB) with campuses at Mohali and Hyderabad today celebrated the second Graduation Day at the Mohali campus on April 5, 2014.  The School hosted General Ved Prakash Malik, Former Chief of Army Staff, as the Chief Guest along with Admiral James Stavridis, Dean, The Fletcher School, Tufts University as the Guest of Honour. Also gracing the occasion were Adi Godrej, Chairman, ISB Board, members of the ISB Executive Board, business leaders, faculty, staff and families of the students.

Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB, led the ceremonial procession, with the Chairman, Chief Guest, Guest of Honour, faculty, board members and the graduating students walking down the atrium. Addressing the gathering, the Dean welcomed all and congratulated the students on their graduation, urging them to go forth and make the school proud by becoming successful in whatever careers they chose. General Malik expressed his happiness and shared his experiences from the Indian Army with the students urging them to bring laurels to the country. 

Speaking at the event General Ved Prakash Malik, Former Chief of Army Staff said,  “Human resources is the biggest asset of both orgnaisations as well as countries. I believe that an organisation can be strong if it has leaders at all levels who are willing to give their very best. I urge you to become strong leaders in whatever you do. Leadership is all about 20 % skill and 80 % attitude. The attitude of being a good human being,  having a positive outlook, self discipline, integrity and communicative skills all of which will inspire trust among people.”

Adi Godrej, Chairman ISB shared his vision for the graduating class and said, “As you enter the next phase of your career and life, I am sure your levels of excitement and enthusiasm are limitless. I encourage all of you to focus your efforts and capabilities towards building a more just and prosperous society.  I exhort you to dream big – be passionate to build enduring enterprises. Create and innovate to address the obstacles that impede India’s growth. Earn respect through hard and diligent work. The future wealth and welfare of your country depends on the quality and sustainability of its enterprises, and you now have the necessary capabilities, expertise, networks and prowess to make a world of difference.”

The air was full of joy and celebration as families cheered the enthusiastic students as they went on stage, dressed in the ceremonial blue and black graduation regalia, to receive their graduation certificates from the Chief Guest.
 
Kushagra Gupta was presented the ‘ISB Scholar of Excellence’ award in recognition of his demonstrated record of outstanding academic achievement throughout the programme. Karthik Hebsur was awarded the ‘Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Leadership’ 

for displaying exceptional all-round excellence. Joining the achievers were 77 students who made it to the Dean’s list comprising top 10% of the class and 19 students who were chosen as ISB Young Leaders and Torch Bearers.
 
The students also honoured members of the faculty with the ‘Professor of the Year’ award for excellence in teaching. Professor Omesh Kini was chosen “Professor of the Year for Core Courses’ and Professor Raveendra Chittoor as the “Professor of the Year for Elective Courses” by students at the Mohali campus. Students also chose Yedu Rajeev as the “Academic Associate of the Year 2013-14.”
 
Class of 2014 – A class of achievers
 
Proving their excellence both in Class as well as out of the classroom, over 125 students across the Hyderabad and Mohali campuses brought laurels to the school winning several individual and team competitions nationally and globally.  Some of the notable achievements are

• Invited to present a healthcare proposal to Bill Clinton  after  winning the regional finals of the prestigious Hult Prize in Sao Paulo
• First prize in LAUNCH – Innovation Challenge, sponsored by NASA, Nike, US Agency for International Development, and the US Department of State
• First prize in Get Set Online Live Case Competition organised by Google
• First prize in 2013 Deloitte Mavericks, a pan-India business acumen challenge
• First prize in RPG Blizzard 2.0, a branding challenge organised by RPG Group

Alumni Endowment
 
Continuing the ISB legacy of giving back to the School, students at the Mohali campus contributed an amount of about 40 lacs towards the Alumni Endowment Fund, which will be used to give scholarships to meritorious students.
 
This eventful year came to a close with the ceremonial hat toss by the graduating students.  Happy and poignant moments were seen as students met their classmates one last time before they all left to start a new phase in their career.