PGDM 2024-26 Induction Program

Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, held the Commencement Ceremony on June 19, 2024, to welcome the 9^th cohort of the Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). The event was graced by the esteemed Chief Guest, Mr. Amit Tiwari, Head of the Global Marketing Demand Centre at TCS.

The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Dr. Poornima Gupta, PGDM Director, who emphasized the critical role of networking in achieving success. Quoting the late Bala V. Balachandran, she remarked, “Your network is your net worth,” underscoring the value of connections in reaching new heights.

Following this, Dr. Debasish Sanyal, Director of Great Lakes, delivered an address where he congratulated the students on their achievement of joining the Great Lakes family. He urged them to make the most of the resources available throughout their PGDM journey. In keeping with the tradition of naming batches, Dr. Sanyal proudly revealed the batch name for the class of 2026: The Eagles.

Dr. Jones Mathew, PGPM Director, then extended his greetings, encouraging the students to cultivate leadership qualities and embrace a growth mindset. Mr. Gautam Lakhamraju, COO of the institute, provided an overview of what the next two years would entail, highlighting the transformational nature of the PGDM course.

The highlight of the ceremony was an inspiring session by the Chief Guest, Mr. Amit Tiwari. He shared his insights on the qualities that define a great leader and guided the students on the path to effective leadership. He emphasized the importance of steering clear of shortcuts and urged them to deeply contemplate their purpose for pursuing an MBA. Mr. Tiwari also shared his perspectives on the integration of AI and technology across various domains.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Tiwari advised the future leaders to focus on building meaningful relationships and fostering a culturally vibrant and empathetic organization. He stated, “Leaders inspire people to work with them, not for them,” and reminded the students of the importance of giving back to society and upholding constitutional values.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr. Vikas Prakash Singh, marking the end of a highly engaging and inspiring commencement ceremony for the incoming students.

The Commencement Day marked the beginning of a dynamic and empowering induction program, where students were actively engaged in meaningful interactions with faculty members and challenged through various thought-provoking activities. These exercises not only expanded their knowledge across multiple domains but also cultivated a deeper sense of communication and trust within the cohort.

During the induction program, students attended sessions led by various faculty members on critical topics such as the Case Study method by Dr. Venkatesh, personal branding within the PGDM framework by Prof. Praveen Alhuwalia, and Generative AI and analytics by Prof. Jayatu Sen Chaudhury. These sessions were instrumental in equipping students with essential skills and knowledge for their academic and professional journey.

In celebration of International Yoga Day, a rejuvenating yoga session was conducted under the expert guidance of Prof. SK Palhan. This experience was cherished by students, fostering not only physical well-being but also mental tranquility, vital for sustaining the rigors of academic life.

Following this, a Team Building Session was orchestrated by PeopleLabs, where students participated in a vibrant array of team bonding activities designed to forge camaraderie and develop crucial management skills. The session featured a blend of engaging indoor games, such as the balloon challenge, and challenging outdoor activities like the bucket challenge, spider web, ladder climb, criss-cross, and tower building.

A standout event, the Biz Venture: Market Explorer Challenge, provided students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the bustling markets of Delhi. Organized into groups, they navigated the vibrant streets, diving into the realities of local commerce. Their task was to scrutinize a business, analyse its operations, and propose innovative growth strategies. This hands-on experience involved conducting interviews with business owners, staff, and customers, offering invaluable insights into real-world business dynamics.

The program culminated in an inspiring interactive session with esteemed alumni, who travelled back to campus to mentor, guide, and share their invaluable experiences. Their success stories and the pivotal role Great Lakes played in shaping their careers left a lasting impression, motivating students to strive for excellence in their own journeys.