IIM Shillong Unveils New Initiatives on its 18th Foundation Day, Focusing on Community Empowerment, Skill Development, and Holistic Education

Shillong, November 8 : IIM Shillong marked its 18th Foundation Day with the unveiling of several new initiatives aimed at fostering community development, skill enhancement, and educational empowerment in the Northeast region. The Governor of Meghalaya, C.H. Vijayashankar, graced the inauguration ceremony along with by Ashish Kumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and BoG members including Shishir Kumar Bajoria(Chairman, BoG), D.P. Wahlang, IAS Chief Secretary Meghalaya and Prof D P Goyal Director IIM Shillong among others. The foundation ceremony witnessed, unveiling of three major initiatives, by the Governor of Meghalaya, highlighting IIM Shillong’s ongoing commitment to value-based management education and community engagement.

Among the key initiatives launched were the Nurturing Minds School Adoption Initiative, which sees IIM Shillong partner with two schools in East Khasi Hills District—QuidottoMemorial RCLP School and Mawkasiang UmrohPresbyterian Secondary School with a goal to create a sustainable impact on the learning environment, empower students, support teachers, and strengthen community ties, reflecting IIM Shillong’s vision of contributing to society through value-based management education.

In partnership with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), IIM Shillong also launched the Skill To Enterprise Model (STEM) program. The initiative will provide training, mentoring, and financial assistance to 30 businesses in the Northeast, fostering entrepreneurship and the growth of local ventures.

Through the Northeast Enterprise Empowerment Venture (NEEV) program, focuses on local engagement, supporting community enterprises, and addressing critical regional challenges like climate change, migration, and livelihood sustainability.

In his address, Shishir Kumar Bajoria, Chairman of the Board of Governors, IIM Shillong, outlined the institute’s expanding role in shaping the future of management education. He emphasized IIM Shillong’s ongoing efforts to serve the Northeast and its vision of becoming a globally renowned institution grounded in Indian values. 

Prof. D P Goyal, Director IIM Shillong, reflected on the institution’s remarkable journey from its humble beginnings in 2008 to its current state-of-the-art campus with 900 students. He noted the significance of IIM Shillong’s continued focus on sustainability, innovation, and leadership with ethical values. 

The event featured insightful panel sessions with Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), and Shishir Kr Bajoria Chairman BoG, IIM Shillong, on ‘Developing Agile Leaders: Rethinking Management Education for a Disruptive and Uncertain World’moderated by Prof. Rohit Dwivedi. Followed by another panel discussion on the theme ‘Future of Work: Management Education and Industry Expectations,’ with distinguished industry professionals Bhasmang V. Mankodi, ED, Morgan Stanley, Mumbai; Ankit Bhargava, CEO of Foxberry Technologies Pvt Ltd., Pune; and Asit Jain, MD of Mahavir Beverages Pvt Ltd., Visakhapatnam. Moderated by Atul Kulkarni, Member BoG, IIM Shillong, the discussion delved into how management education can adapt to meet the changing needs and expectations of the industry, exploring critical insights and strategies for developing agile, future-ready leaders.

The Foundation Day celebrations not only marked IIM Shillong’s growth but also set the stage for a future committed to community engagement, sustainable development, and the nurturing of innovative leaders who can navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world.