IIT Mandi Launches Five Year Integrated MBA Programme

The IMBA programme also integrates relevant courses from other areas such as Humanities, Communication, and Indian Knowledge System to ensure the holistic development of its graduates.

The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (File Photo)

Source : IIT Mandi

The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has launched a five-year Integrated MBA (BBA Analytics (Honors) and MBA DS & AI) programme. The pioneering programme, offered by the School of Management, is designed to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of management along with skills in analytics, data science, mathematics and statistics, through a carefully curated curriculum.

The IMBA programme also integrates relevant courses from other areas such as Humanities, Communication, and Indian Knowledge System to ensure the holistic development of its graduates. Overall, the programme aims to nurture future business leaders who possess a strong appreciation for technology and cross-functional management capabilities.

During the initial years, the programme hones students’ critical thinking and creative abilities through foundational courses in management, analytics, mathematics and statistics, communication and personality development. In the later years, the programme offers several specialized courses that equip students with the skills required to apply technology across the functional areas of management.

Commenting on the programme, Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, stated, “As a premier technology institution, IIT Mandi has been diligently assessing the industry's requirements. With the growing dependence on data for making business decisions to gain competitive advantage, organizations are increasingly utilizing technological tools from the domain of data science and artificial intelligence. This has resulted in an increased demand for business leaders who possess a thorough understanding and skills to effectively use these technologies within the business environment. The MBA programme in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence was introduced in 2022 to cater to this demand of the industry. This year, we have taken a step forward by introducing this five-year IMBA programme.”

The programme offers students a distinct chance to obtain a master’s degree in management right after 10+2 from a top-tier institute in the country. The IMBA programme amalgamates relevant courses from Management Sciences, Analytics, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Communication, and personality development disciplines to ensure the holistic development of its graduates. With industrial internships, training, and exposure to diverse business environments, the programme aims to nurture socially aware future business leaders with a strong appreciation for technology and human values.

Speaking about the programme, Prof. Aniruddha Chakraborty, Dean Academics, IIT Mandi, said, “IIT Mandi is committed to nurturing highly skilled graduates, primed to excel in the industry. The new IMBA programme is designed to provide aspirants with a truly transformative educational journey. The curriculum is carefully crafted to encompass a diverse array of courses, ranging from management and analytics to mathematics, statistics, communication, and personality development to equip graduates with a well-rounded skill set that is highly sought after in today's dynamic business world.”

After successful completion of the full 5-years of IMBA programme the students shall be awarded two separate degrees i.e. BBA Analytics (Honors) (under the IMBA), and MBA DS&AI (under the IMBA). 

Aligned with the New Education Policy, the IMBA programme also offers following exit options to the students:

 

• After successful completion of three years, upon exit, the candidate would be awarded a BBA Analytics degree

• After successful completion of four years, upon exit, the candidate would be awarded a BBA Analytics (Honors) degree

 

Emphasizing the unique advantages of the IMBA programme, Prof. Manoj Thakur, Chairperson of the School of Management, IIT Mandi, said, "This programme is designed to prepare students for management careers immediately after finishing their school education and foster their holistic development over the course of five years. It is structured to prepare students for management careers by integrating essential management principles with mathematical and statistical concepts, analytics, data science, and AI."

"The programme curriculum emphasizes nurturing the students to become socially aware business professionals while acquiring the ability to utilize technology for the social good. This holistic approach not only equips students with the know-how to tackle emerging business and societal challenges but also instills a strategic mindset for leveraging technology in solving problems effectively, Prof. Manoj added."

The students will undertake two industry internships, one of which will be of six months duration, ensuring substantial exposure to the business world. 

Another unique offering of the programme allows students to explore entrepreneurship as a career choice by facilitating access to the incubation center of IIT Mandi. For serious student entrepreneurs, the course further allows a sabbatical of one year to pursue the innovative startup venture. 

This programme provides an avenue for the young aspirants to pursue a management programme immediately after 10+2.