IIMB inaugurates BBA in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship, ushering in a new era of business education
The virtual inauguration witnessed eminent dignitaries to discuss role of “Digital” in shaping modern education
16 September, 2024, Bengaluru: With its foray into undergraduate programs, IIM Bangalore, today, inaugurated the BBA in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship (BBA DBE) programme, delving into the realm of digital transformation and entrepreneurial innovation to drive change and create impact. The virtual session brought together eminent speakers including—IIMB Director Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan; Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India; Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairman, Narayana Health; Mr Mukesh Bansal, CEO of Curefit & Founder of Meraki Labs; Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, OB&HRM area, and Chairperson, Digital Learning; and Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula, Entrepreneurship area, and Chairperson BBA (DBE), to address the inaugural cohort attending the session.
In his welcome address, Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan shed light on the institute’s vision of transforming business education through digital innovation. Reflecting on IIMB’s decade-long experience in pioneering online education in India, Prof. RT Krishnan said, “With over 70 courses offered on edX and SWAYAM, IIMB has had a long history in reaching learners across India. The next step was clear—how do we extend this reach to undergraduate students seeking high-quality education?” Discussing the need to align business education with India’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, he emphasized, “There’s a critical need to merge business management concepts with the unprecedented demands of digital businesses today”. Addressing the incoming cohort of over 1000 students, Prof. RT Krishnan said, “We will do all that we can to make this a really rich, interactive and unique learning experience for you all”.
In his keynote address, Shri K. Sanjay Murthy outlined the government’s bold vision for digital education in India. He attributed the pivotal role of platforms like SWAYAM in scaling digital programs, making high-quality education accessible nationwide, highlighting IIMB’s critical role as a National Coordinator. Addressing the students, he urged students to fully utilize the transformative potential of the BBA DBE program, noting that digital business and entrepreneurship are top priorities for the government.
In his keynote, Dr. Devi Shetty celebrated the program’s launch as a significant step toward making higher education more accessible in India. He remarked, “In an era where education has become elitist, IIMB’s new program opens doors for students who previously could only dream of such opportunities”. Dr. Shetty underscored that graduates from this program, equipped with digital expertise and an IIMB degree, will be highly sought after by organizations like his. "This is a pivotal moment in our country’s evolution, where students can now aspire to graduate from IIMB post their Plus Two”.
Next on the dais was Mr. Mukesh Bansal, who emphasized the immense potential of the BBA DBE programme, stating, “access to education, especially without any relaxation of standards, is going to be one of the biggest enablers of opportunity in the country.” Drawing on his experience in building e-commerce ventures, Mr. Bansal spoke of the critical role of leveraging digital tools to understand consumer behavior at a deep, native level. He ended his address by encouraging students to take ownership and accountability in their digital learning journey.
In her remarks, Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan invited students to envision their transformative journey at IIMB. She pointed out that in an age where information availability is abundant, “the role of perspective through peer -learning is what makes a difference”. Prof. Srinivasan further outlined four key factors for acquiring future-ready competencies through online platforms: critical thinking; collaborative learning; digital literacy, fluency and proficiency; and communication. She stressed that IIMB’s digital learning platforms will offer more than just educational content—they are gateways to essential digital and life skills.
Prof. Suresh Bhagavatula outlined the BBA DBE program’s focus on blending digital awareness with core business skills. “Our aim is to prepare students for a digitally driven world,” he said. He added, “The curriculum includes 30% on emerging digital business technologies, 30% on core business topics like finance, operations, and marketing, and emphasizes an entrepreneurial mindset. The program combines prerecorded course content with live sessions and offline exams. It features community-building through internships and projects with NSRCEL, one of India’s leading business incubators, offering flexible exit options and highly engaging content—all while complying with UGC and other national guidelines”. Prof. Bhagavatula offered the closing remarks, solidifying IIMB’s role in “developing the right talent to drive unprecedented digital transformations”.
To watch the full session, click here.