EIILM Kolkata Convocation 2024: Shaping Future Leaders with Ethical Innovation

The sun rose on April 13, 2024, illuminating the grand interiors of the Science City Auditorium, wherein the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management, Kolkata (EIILM-Kolkata) hosted its convocation ceremony with an aura of jubilation and pride. The ceremony was held for the MBA batches of 2017-19, 2018-20, 2019-21 and 2020-22. Counted among the top business schools in Eastern India, the event was guided by the motto of prajnanuvartan vishishtam – 'recognising the unique wisdom through convocation’.

Commencing with the Convocation Academic Procession, the stage was set for an inspiring day ahead. Amidst the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the resonating chants of Saraswati Vandana, Prof (Dr) R P Banerjee, Chairman and Director, EIILM-Kolkata; extended a warm welcome to the esteemed dignitaries, faculty members, and most importantly, the graduating students.

Reflecting on the emotional significance of the convocation, Prof (Dr) R P Banerjee, shared with The Telegraph Online Edugraph the deep-rooted bond between students and faculty. "Convocation marks a pivotal moment in the journey of both students and teachers," he mused.

Talking about the campus placement programme of the institute he said, “Our objective is to have 1.5 placements per candidate – meaning for every two candidates, there should be at least three companies available. We have corporatised the placements through forging tie-ups with over 125 companies, of which 100 companies have visited this academic year already.”

EIILM-Kolkata’s commitment to help students secure their career goals in a rapidly evolving world, was corroborated by the MBA batch 2017-19 topper Ankita Roy who was attending the convocation. A senior executive at a top FMCG company, she said, “My student years at the institute greatly shaped my personality. Earlier I used to struggle with public speaking, but through our training sessions on how to crack job interviews, projection of confident body language, coherent thinking, I gradually overcame my limitations. The faculty at EIILM customises its feedback for every individual student, aside from holding group discussions; and that is a huge confidence booster for the young graduates stepping out into the world of jobs and businesses!”

Speaking to The Telegraph Online Edugraph on the sidelines of the event, Dr Deepak Mohanty, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) observed, “One should not limit their mind. We are in the age of startups.” He encouraged the graduates to explore opportunities in burgeoning sectors like technology, healthcare, and digital finance, while emphasising the need for social consciousness in guiding career choices.

Moreover, Dr Subhransu S Acharya, Chief General Manager, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), recommended that youngsters explore entrepreneurship as a means of making a tangible impact on society. “The total MSME universe in our country is about 8 crores as of now and incremental employment opportunities can be created only through entrepreneurship. The government has come out with special schemes and facilitating agencies who are ready to help young people start their own businesses,” he affirmed.

Adika Ratna Sekhar, Chairman and Managing Director, Balmer Lawrie & Co Ltd, commended EIILM's holistic approach to education, bridging the gap between academia and industry. "EIILM equips students with not just technical skills, but also the soft skills necessary for success in the corporate world," he remarked. Additionally, he stressed the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in today's dynamic business landscape.

The convocation ceremony was also marked by a series of thought-provoking addresses by the attending dignitaries encapsulated as Leader's Talk. Each speaker offered a unique piece of advice to the graduating batches.

Prof Dr Y S Rajan (Scientist, ISRO and Padma Shri awardee) underscored the significance of upholding ethical standards in one's professional journey; Prof Tapas Chakraborty (Senior Faculty Marketing, EIILM) gave a stirring call to embrace ambition and empathy; Sivasubramanian Ramann (Chairman & Managing Director, Small Industries Development Bank of India) provided a strategic roadmap for leveraging digital innovation in entrepreneurship.

Dr Deepak Mohanty's (Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) emphasis on adaptability and collaboration echoed through the hall, while Prof Dr Srikumar Chakravarthi (Deputy Vice Chancellor - Academic Affairs and Head of Innovation and New Ventures, SEGi University and Colleges, Malaysia) and Navanit Narayan's (Wholetime Director and Chief Executive Officer, Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd) motivational anecdotes served as lessons in perseverance and resilience amidst the inevitable challenges ahead. S Rajendran (Managing Director and CEO, 63 Moons Technologies Ltd) highlighted the importance of willingness to change, clarity of vision, and continuous learning as catalysts for growth; and Anurag Chadha (Managing Director and Country Manager of Novonesis) introduced the concept of paradoxical leadership, focusing on the importance of embracing diversity and networking for professional excellence.

Therefore, the convocation ceremony reinforced the institute’s steadfast commitment to its students yet again. They ensured that the MBA batches were armed with the wisdom imparted by industry titans as they ventured into the complexities of the modern professional landscape in the role of future-ready managers who would contribute to the collective progress of society.