IIM Jammu Starts Leadership Program For SAIL Young Managers

The Indian Institute of Management Jammu commenced the second edition of the Leadership Development Program (LDP) for Young Managers (Batch–II) at the Nyay (267) Classroom, Vedanta MDP Centre. The inaugural session witnessed the participation of 35 officials from Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), marking the beginning of a transformative one-year journey of leadership excellence and organizational impact. Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu presided over the inaugural ceremony. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. Sanjeev Pathak, Chairperson, Executive Education and Consultancy, Program Directors, Prof. P. P. Maheshwari; Dr. Manu Bansal and Dr. Malaya Ranjan Mohapatra, IIM Jammu. Dr. Atanu Mukherjee, General Manager Academic, Central HRD & Senior Faculty, Management Training Insitute (MTI) SAIL along with officials from SAIL joined on online mode.

Dr. Atanu Mukherjee, General Manager Academic, Central HRD & Senior Faculty, Management Training Institute (MTI) SAIL joining online described the program as a journey-based initiative aimed at grooming the “cream of the organization.” He outlined the program’s structure, which includes four months at IIM Jammu followed by eight months at MTI Ranchi, along with online academic support from IIM Jammu faculty during Phase II.He encouraged participants to cascade their learning across the organization, disseminate knowledge through case studies and documented action reports, and present measurable outcomes supported by objective evidence. He reaffirmed SAIL’s confidence in IIM Jammu’s academic excellence and urged participants to maximize their learning by utilizing institutional resources, including the state-of-the-art Nalanda library and faculty expertise of IIM Jammu. As a representative of a Maharatna company, he advised them to uphold discipline and professional decorum throughout the program.

Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, highlighted the Institute’s rapid growth trajectory and commitment to raising academic benchmarks. He noted that IIM Jammu has consistently surpassed expectations through its innovative programs, including the recent launch of MBA in AI and Business Analytics by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan Ji, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Govt. of India, and emphasized the Institute’s active participation in national academic forums, including global AI discussions. Quoting Mark Twain, he remarked that the two most important days in life are the day one is born and the day one discovers one’s purpose, encouraging participants to identify and pursue their leadership purpose through this program. He reaffirmed that the LDP has been conceptualized with high rigor and strategic depth to nurture reflective, responsible, and forward-looking leaders.

Prof. Sanjeev Pathak, Chairperson, Executive Education & Consultancy (EE&C), IIM Jammu, addressed the participants and described it as a privilege to inaugurate the program for such a distinguished cohort. He appreciated the diversity of participants drawn from varied domains within SAIL and underscored the immense value of peer learning in such settings. He emphasized that the program has been meticulously designed to elevate participants’ level of thinking and broaden their managerial perspectives. Encouraging engagement beyond the classroom, he reiterated that IIM Jammu views its association with participants as a lifelong relationship. He urged the cohort to stay connected through professional networks, share success stories, and leverage contemporary knowledge resources available at the Institute.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof. P. P. Maheshwari, Program Director, highlighted that the second edition of this training program reflects the spirit of continuous improvement. He emphasized that the program structure has been refined to ensure a strong blend of industry insights and academic rigor, enabling participants to derive tangible outcomes. He congratulated the cohort for their commitment to skill enhancement and encouraged them to continuously add new competencies, including financial acumen and strategic thinking, to remain future-ready leaders.

Set against the serene backdrop of the Trikuta Mountains, IIM Jammu offers a vibrant academic environment conducive to reflection and strategic thinking. Participants were encouraged to explore the campus, engage deeply with faculty, and take full advantage of the Institute’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the Vedanta MDP Centre and the central library.

The inaugural session concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Manu Bansal, Program Director, who expressed gratitude to the distinguished dignitaries, faculty members, and participants for their presence and commitment to excellence. The training program is being coordinated by IIM Jammu Executive Education and Consultancy.