IIM Shillong celebrated its 19th Foundation Day with the theme “Shaping Futures, Serving Humanity.” The event brought together members of the Board, faculty, staff, students, and distinguished guests in a celebration of institutional growth, purpose, and community engagement.
Earlier in the morning, Prof. Gautam Barua, Professor Emeritus, IIIT Guwahati, Former Director, IIT Guwahati & IIIT Guwahati, delivered the first lecture in the Foundation Day Lecture Series on the topic “The Business of AI.” In his lecture, Prof. Barua provided an overview of recent developments in Artificial Intelligence, particularly in Generative AI, highlighting both its promise and challenges. He discussed the expectations and hype surrounding AI while offering insights into the directions that businesses should take to harness the transformative potential of this emerging technology.
Shri Shishir Kumar Bajoria, Chairman of the Board of Governors, who couldn’t join physically, extended his greetings and congratulated everyone on IIM Shillong’s 19th Foundation Day and expressed his delight at the Institute’s continued growth and achievements. He noted that the celebration marks another proud milestone for IIM Shillong, with initiatives such as the introduction of the IPM course and community contributions through adopted schools. He expressed happiness over the addition of a small library to the adopted schools, reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to social responsibility.
Shri Nitin Sharma, Member of the BoG, spoke about the importance of agility and direction in the world of management education. He emphasized that while speed is often associated with success, it is direction and intent that determine an institution’s true progress. He encouraged the IIM Shillong community to always align their actions with shared purpose and collective values, assuring that with the right intent, success is inevitable.
Prof. Naliniprava Tripathy, Director (I/C), reflected on how the Institute started its first MBA programme in 2008 with 63 students, built on the belief that management education must go beyond classrooms and case studies to connect with communities and contribute to nation-building. She highlighted that IIM Shillong has achieved significant milestones in academics, research, international collaborations, and societal engagement. The Institute has also introduced the Community Immersion Programme across all its academic offerings, making it mandatory for students to work closely with startups and entrepreneurs to understand ground-level challenges and apply their classroom learning to real-world contexts. She added that IIM Shillong has signed eleven international MoUs this year, aligning with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 and the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The celebration also featured the Foundation Day Lecture delivered by Mr. Shaakun Khanna, Former VP – HCM and SaaS Applications, APAC, Oracle, who spoke on the evolving role of human capital in a world increasingly shaped by technology and innovation.
The ceremony witnessed a panel discussion on “AI – Boon or Bane to the Workforce,” moderated by Prof. Sanjeeb Kakoty, and joined by eminent industry leaders — Shri Biswadeep Parida, Director – Climate & Energy, PwC India; Shri Hitesh Gulati, MD – Head of India Institutional Equities, Haitong; and Shri Nounit Agarwal, Vice President, Wealth & Investment Management, Wells Fargo. The discussion focused on the opportunities and challenges posed by AI to the global workforce, exploring how responsible innovation and human-centric values must guide the integration of AI in workplaces of the future.
The event concluded with a cultural programme and dinner, celebrating the vibrant spirit of IIM Shillong and its deep connection with the cultural fabric of Meghalaya and the North East.
As IIM Shillong steps into its 20th year, the Institute reaffirms its mission to nurture responsible leaders, foster community development, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth — staying true to its guiding vision of “Shaping Futures, Serving Humanity.”
