IIM Visakhapatnam, TimesPro launch first batch of executive MBA program

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam has welcomed its first batch of Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) for Working Professionals at its permanent campus in Ghambhiram, Visakhapatnam.

The EMBA programme elevated IIM Visakhapatnam into an elite category by making it the second Indian IIM to offer an EMBA programme in a blended mode.

A special function was organised to officially commence the inaugural batch in the presence of Chief Guest, D Shivakumar, Chairman and Independent Director, BurgerKing India and Operating Partner, Advent International, Prof. M Chandrashekhar, Director IIM Visakhapatnam and Anish Srikrishna, CEO, TimesPro.

The Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) for Working Professionals will be conducted via TimesPro’s state-of-the-art Interactive Learning (IL) platform and delivered in Direct-to-Device (D2D) mode. It also includes two in-campus modules of five days each at the world-class GRIHA-5 Star-rated IIM Visakhapatnam campus.

Prof. Happy Paul, Program Chairperson, mentioned that the EMBA Batch 2023-25 consists of 147 working professionals coming from diverse industries such as manufacturing, IT, banking, consulting, E-commerce, telecommunication, retail, etc., with an average work experience of over nine years.

Prof. M Chandrasekhar, Director, IIM Visakhapatnam, said, “The programme will help learners understand new-age techniques and practices of business and help them better connect with organisations. Our institution and expert faculty will equip learners with next-gen skills to make a significant social, economic, and environmental impact on the business ecosystem.”

D Shivakumar, Chairman and Independent Director, BurgerKing India and Operating Partner, Advent International spoke about the significance of management and technology and highlighted instances of technological disruptions from the introduction of the telephone, mobile phones, television, computers, AI, and Chat GPT. “When the telephone was invented, the outcome was to have one in each town. Similar was the story of aeroplanes. When the unique identification number (UID), named "Aadhaar", initiative was rolled out in India, nobody would have imagined the scale and reach of the same.”

Anish Srikrishna, CEO, TimesPro, said, “We are in a transformative era where management, technology, and data have taken precedence. This has made it imperative for professionals to upskill and brace for disruptions caused by technology. India’s new-age institutes of management like the prestigious IIM Visakhapatnam are classic example that has introduced programmes that are bridging the academic-industry divide with inclusive learning meant to encourage modern businesses. Programmes like the Executive MBA will aim to fulfil the aspirations of learners and give them an opportunity to upskill themselves in a highly competitive business landscape.”