IIM Sambalpur celebrates 10th Foundation Day, announces AI-powered classroom transformation

Sambalpur (Odisha) (India), September 24 (ANI): The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur celebrated its 10th foundation day with the announcement of a major initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in its classrooms, an initiative that can revolutionise the way students learn.

“The institution, which has always emphasized innovation, inclusion and integrity, continues to push the boundaries of management education,” a press release said.

The Foundation Day celebration, held at the institute campus, was graced by the presence of Uday A Kaole, Chairman and Managing Director, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), as the Chief Guest, along with Dr Anurag Batra and Nishita Baliarsingh, Co-Founder and CEO, Nexus Power, as the keynote speakers.

IIM Sambalpur Director Prof Mahadeo Jaiswal announced that the institution will soon implement AI in classrooms, enhancing the learning experience by shifting the role of the teacher from traditional teaching to promoting creativity and student engagement.

“This initiative will redefine the way management education is delivered and the way students approach learning,” he said.

Reflecting on the institute’s journey, Prof. Jaiswal expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for their support. He highlighted the remarkable growth of IIM Sambalpur since its inception in 2015, from just 49 MBA students to 320 students today, with an impressive 75% female student body.

“IIM Sambalpur has built world-class infrastructure and we are on track to onboard over 60 startups in our incubation centre while fostering international collaborations,” added Prof. Jaiswal.

In line with the national goals of Viksit Bharat, Prof Jaiswal also announced plans to host a summit on women empowerment in February 2025. In addition, the institute will establish three new centres of excellence this year, expand its MBA programme and work towards international accreditations, the statement said.

Chief Guest Uday Kaole praised IIM Sambalpur as “the most vibrant and talked about IIM”. He congratulated Prof. Jaiswal for his leadership and the remarkable achievements of the institution.

“IIM Sambalpur has created a space for great talent, and MCL looks forward to collaborating with the institute to harness the potential of its students,” Kaole said.

Nishita Baliarsingh, Co-Founder and CEO of Nexus Power, encouraged students to stay consistent and true to themselves, while Anindya Ghosh of IBM stressed the importance of focused effort, passion for work and early financial planning.

On the occasion of Foundation Day, IIM Sambalpur also launched the second edition of the Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship (IDE) Bootcamp, an initiative supported by Prime Minister Modi. The Bootcamp, scheduled from September 23 to 27, 2024, is part of a nationwide effort by the Ministry of Education and AICTE to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among innovative students.

More than 3,000 student innovators and innovation ambassadors from higher education institutions across the country participated in the event.

“IIM Sambalpur, known for its focus on action-oriented research and experiential learning, is actively supporting this initiative, providing a platform to nurture entrepreneurship and creative problem-solving skills,” the statement said.

The celebration also featured an exhibition with more than 70 startups showcasing products ranging from technological innovations to healthcare solutions.

“The diverse range of offerings has highlighted IIM Sambalpur’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, further cementing its status as a hub of innovation and business education,” the statement added. (ANI)