PGPEM welcomes 79 students to the batch of 2026–28 on 4 April 2026
Alumni Suresh Baroth and Kaveri Ingale deliver special addresses
4 April, 2026, Bengaluru: The two-year MBA for Working Professionals, the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM), at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, welcomed the 2026–28 cohort on 4 April 2026. The inauguration was attended by 79 students of the incoming batch, along with Prof. Ashis Mishra, Chairperson, PGPEM; Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge; Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean, Programmes; and Prof. Kunal Dasgupta, Chairperson, Admissions & Financial Aid. Marking the occasion, alumnus Suresh Baroth, PGSEM 2011, Chief Executive Officer, JK Paper (part of JK Group) Defence Company, and alumna Kaveri Ingale, PGSEM 2009, Managing Director of Operations, Believe, delivered special addresses.
Welcoming the cohort, Prof. Ashis Mishra underscored the programme's distinctiveness and rigor. “PGPEM is one of its kind in India, designed for professionals who continue to work while they learn. In today’s uncertain environment, business itself is a challenge,” he said, adding that the programme prepares participants to think differently and make decisions from a broader, strategic perspective. He further noted that the journey would demand commitment, discipline, and resilience.
Alumni reflections on leadership, learning, and growth
Reflecting on his journey, alumnus Suresh Baroth shared how the programme shaped his transition from a functional expert to a leader. “PGSEM transformed me, from being a manager to becoming a leader,” he said, highlighting the importance of peer learning, and encouraging participants to actively leverage the diversity of the group, build strong networks, and prioritise effectively to manage the programme alongside professional and personal commitments.
Kaveri Ingale emphasised the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving business environment. “It’s not about what to think, but how to think,” she noted, encouraging participants to stay curious, ask questions, and challenge assumptions, while also being intentional about career choices by focusing on learning, mentorship, and roles that stretch their capabilities. Highlighting leadership as a function of trust, she stressed the importance of understanding people and balancing technical knowledge with human and organisational perspectives, while viewing failures as opportunities for growth and maintaining integrity as a core value.
Batch profile
Presenting the cohort overview, Prof. Kunal Dasgupta highlighted the diversity and experience within the batch. “This is a highly experienced and diverse cohort, and peer learning will be central to your journey,” he said.
The batch comprises 79 participants, with a gender split of approximately 70% male and 30% female. The average age of the cohort is 36 years, with the highest being 64. The average work experience is 13 years, with the highest at 41 years. In terms of educational background, over 76% are from engineering, followed by commerce (10%), science (8%), and other disciplines (6%).
By organizational sector, 42% of participants come from services, 27% from manufacturing, 27% from mining, and 6% from other sectors. The cohort also represents a wide range of industries, with leading representation from oil and gas, real estate, and healthcare, followed by banking, pharma, consultancy, and others, enabling a rich exchange of perspectives.
Learning beyond the classroom
Prof. Mukta Kulkarni encouraged participants to engage deeply with the broader IIMB ecosystem. “Your learning will extend beyond this classroom, to interactions across programmes, activities, and experiences on campus. Tejasvi nāvadhītamastu, let our study be enlightening,” she said, invoking the Institute’s motto to emphasise that learning at IIMB is shaped as much by people and experiences as by pedagogy, and highlighting opportunities for cross-learning and collaboration.
Staying relevant in an AI-driven world
Addressing the cohort, Prof. Dinesh Kumar spoke about the growing influence of technology on business and decision-making. “You are entering a world shaped by AI-integrated systems. The programme will not just give you answers, but help you understand how to think, question, and navigate this evolving landscape,” he noted, encouraging participants to build critical thinking capabilities alongside technical knowledge.
The onboarding programme also included sessions on academic orientation, institutional processes, and peer interactions to help participants navigate the rigour of the programme.
Click here for photo gallery
PGPEM welcomes 79 students to the batch of 2026–28 on 4 April 2026
Alumni Suresh Baroth and Kaveri Ingale deliver special addresses
4 April, 2026, Bengaluru: The two-year MBA for Working Professionals, the Post Graduate Programme in Enterprise Management (PGPEM), at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, welcomed the 2026–28 cohort on 4 April 2026. The inauguration was attended by 79 students of the incoming batch, along with Prof. Ashis Mishra, Chairperson, PGPEM; Prof. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge; Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean, Programmes; and Prof. Kunal Dasgupta, Chairperson, Admissions & Financial Aid. Marking the occasion, alumnus Suresh Baroth, PGSEM 2011, Chief Executive Officer, JK Paper (part of JK Group) Defence Company, and alumna Kaveri Ingale, PGSEM 2009, Managing Director of Operations, Believe, delivered special addresses.
Welcoming the cohort, Prof. Ashis Mishra underscored the programme's distinctiveness and rigor. “PGPEM is one of its kind in India, designed for professionals who continue to work while they learn. In today’s uncertain environment, business itself is a challenge,” he said, adding that the programme prepares participants to think differently and make decisions from a broader, strategic perspective. He further noted that the journey would demand commitment, discipline, and resilience.
Alumni reflections on leadership, learning, and growth
Reflecting on his journey, alumnus Suresh Baroth shared how the programme shaped his transition from a functional expert to a leader. “PGSEM transformed me, from being a manager to becoming a leader,” he said, highlighting the importance of peer learning, and encouraging participants to actively leverage the diversity of the group, build strong networks, and prioritise effectively to manage the programme alongside professional and personal commitments.
Kaveri Ingale emphasised the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a rapidly evolving business environment. “It’s not about what to think, but how to think,” she noted, encouraging participants to stay curious, ask questions, and challenge assumptions, while also being intentional about career choices by focusing on learning, mentorship, and roles that stretch their capabilities. Highlighting leadership as a function of trust, she stressed the importance of understanding people and balancing technical knowledge with human and organisational perspectives, while viewing failures as opportunities for growth and maintaining integrity as a core value.
Batch profile
Presenting the cohort overview, Prof. Kunal Dasgupta highlighted the diversity and experience within the batch. “This is a highly experienced and diverse cohort, and peer learning will be central to your journey,” he said.
The batch comprises 79 participants, with a gender split of approximately 70% male and 30% female. The average age of the cohort is 36 years, with the highest being 64. The average work experience is 13 years, with the highest at 41 years. In terms of educational background, over 76% are from engineering, followed by commerce (10%), science (8%), and other disciplines (6%).
By organizational sector, 42% of participants come from services, 27% from manufacturing, 27% from mining, and 6% from other sectors. The cohort also represents a wide range of industries, with leading representation from oil and gas, real estate, and healthcare, followed by banking, pharma, consultancy, and others, enabling a rich exchange of perspectives.
Learning beyond the classroom
Prof. Mukta Kulkarni encouraged participants to engage deeply with the broader IIMB ecosystem. “Your learning will extend beyond this classroom, to interactions across programmes, activities, and experiences on campus. Tejasvi nāvadhītamastu, let our study be enlightening,” she said, invoking the Institute’s motto to emphasise that learning at IIMB is shaped as much by people and experiences as by pedagogy, and highlighting opportunities for cross-learning and collaboration.
Staying relevant in an AI-driven world
Addressing the cohort, Prof. Dinesh Kumar spoke about the growing influence of technology on business and decision-making. “You are entering a world shaped by AI-integrated systems. The programme will not just give you answers, but help you understand how to think, question, and navigate this evolving landscape,” he noted, encouraging participants to build critical thinking capabilities alongside technical knowledge.
The onboarding programme also included sessions on academic orientation, institutional processes, and peer interactions to help participants navigate the rigour of the programme.
Click here for photo gallery