BBA(DBE) students of IIMB selected for prestigious fully funded international immersion at Hiroshima University
First-of-its-kind global exposure for undergraduate learners in a fully online programme in India
19 August, 2025, Bengaluru: Five students from the Bachelor of Business Administration in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship (BBA(DBE)) programme at IIM Bangalore have been selected for a fully-funded two-week international immersion at Hiroshima University, Japan, under the AGILE COIL initiative. The workshop, themed ‘Circular Economy’, to be held from 1–12 September 2025, will bring together learners from diverse backgrounds to address global challenges under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11– Sustainable Cities and Communities through active and practical participation.
The selected students, Shreya Jain, Dhruv Deepak Bagla, Garv Agarwal, Parinistaa Sugandhi, and Arin Prakash, will engage in collaborative learning with peers from partner universities and leverage technology, innovation, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to deliberate on real-world issues such as urban planning, IoT, waste management, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
The opportunity marks a significant milestone for the BBA(DBE), which attracted over 1,000 students from 359 cities nationwide in its first year and aims to prepare future-ready entrepreneurs through an industry-relevant, modular, and fully online learning model. The curriculum, which was designed in collaboration with academic and industry experts, combines foundational business education with cutting-edge skill development, immersive projects, and global exposure – making it the first initiative of its kind in India where undergraduate students in a fully online degree programme participate in an international immersion of this scale.
The AGILE COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) initiative, delivered in partnership with Hiroshima University and supported by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), fosters cross-cultural collaboration, leadership, and global citizenship among learners from Japan and India. Since 2024–25, IIMB’s BBA(DBE) students have been participating virtually in the AGILE COIL Module 4 Entrepreneurship programme, receiving international academic mentorship and a digital badge from Hiroshima University upon completion of the module. The September 2025 immersion will be the first in-person component for select high-performing students, with all travel, stay, and internal expenses covered by the Japanese government.
“Being part of IIMB means upholding values like innovation, critical thinking, and inclusivity. I believe these qualities mesh well with Hiroshima University’s global vision for the future”, said Parinistaa Sugandhi on what excites her most about representing IIMB at Hiroshima University. On what she hopes to gain working alongside international peers, Shreya Jain said, “I’m interested to learn how different cultural contexts shape approaches to leadership, decision-making, and innovation, and to exchange ideas that challenge my own assumptions”. Meanwhile, Arin Prakash said he is particularly eager to witness the practical implementation of circular economy principles.
The initiative is coordinated by IIMB’s Mizuho India Japan Study Centre (MIJSC), which shortlisted participants based on academic performance. Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula, Entrepreneurship area, will also visit Hiroshima University during the workshop to explore potential research collaborations.
BBA(DBE) students of IIMB selected for prestigious fully funded international immersion at Hiroshima University
First-of-its-kind global exposure for undergraduate learners in a fully online programme in India
19 August, 2025, Bengaluru: Five students from the Bachelor of Business Administration in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship (BBA(DBE)) programme at IIM Bangalore have been selected for a fully-funded two-week international immersion at Hiroshima University, Japan, under the AGILE COIL initiative. The workshop, themed ‘Circular Economy’, to be held from 1–12 September 2025, will bring together learners from diverse backgrounds to address global challenges under the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11– Sustainable Cities and Communities through active and practical participation.
The selected students, Shreya Jain, Dhruv Deepak Bagla, Garv Agarwal, Parinistaa Sugandhi, and Arin Prakash, will engage in collaborative learning with peers from partner universities and leverage technology, innovation, entrepreneurial and leadership skills to deliberate on real-world issues such as urban planning, IoT, waste management, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
The opportunity marks a significant milestone for the BBA(DBE), which attracted over 1,000 students from 359 cities nationwide in its first year and aims to prepare future-ready entrepreneurs through an industry-relevant, modular, and fully online learning model. The curriculum, which was designed in collaboration with academic and industry experts, combines foundational business education with cutting-edge skill development, immersive projects, and global exposure – making it the first initiative of its kind in India where undergraduate students in a fully online degree programme participate in an international immersion of this scale.
The AGILE COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) initiative, delivered in partnership with Hiroshima University and supported by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), fosters cross-cultural collaboration, leadership, and global citizenship among learners from Japan and India. Since 2024–25, IIMB’s BBA(DBE) students have been participating virtually in the AGILE COIL Module 4 Entrepreneurship programme, receiving international academic mentorship and a digital badge from Hiroshima University upon completion of the module. The September 2025 immersion will be the first in-person component for select high-performing students, with all travel, stay, and internal expenses covered by the Japanese government.
“Being part of IIMB means upholding values like innovation, critical thinking, and inclusivity. I believe these qualities mesh well with Hiroshima University’s global vision for the future”, said Parinistaa Sugandhi on what excites her most about representing IIMB at Hiroshima University. On what she hopes to gain working alongside international peers, Shreya Jain said, “I’m interested to learn how different cultural contexts shape approaches to leadership, decision-making, and innovation, and to exchange ideas that challenge my own assumptions”. Meanwhile, Arin Prakash said he is particularly eager to witness the practical implementation of circular economy principles.
The initiative is coordinated by IIMB’s Mizuho India Japan Study Centre (MIJSC), which shortlisted participants based on academic performance. Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula, Entrepreneurship area, will also visit Hiroshima University during the workshop to explore potential research collaborations.