Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon, held its Commencement Ceremony on May 29, 2024, to usher in the 13^th cohort of the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM). The event was graced by the Chief Guest, Mr. Sandeep Sethi, AI & Data Leader at Deloitte US-India offices.

The ceremony opened with a welcoming address by Dr. Jones Mathew, PGPM Director, who emphasized the critical importance of building and nurturing a strong professional network. He noted that connections play a vital role in navigating the complexities of the business world and achieving long-term success.

Dr. Debasish Sanyal, Director of Great Lakes, then extended his heartfelt congratulations to the students for joining the prestigious Great Lakes family. He encouraged them to take full advantage of the diverse opportunities and resources available during their PGPM journey. Upholding the institute's tradition of assigning a unique identity to each batch, Dr. Sanyal proudly announced the name for the Class of 2025: The Chanakya’s.

Continuing the ceremony, Mr. Mohan Lakhamraju, Chairman of the institute, provided the students with a roadmap of the year ahead, emphasizing the transformative potential of the PGPM course. He urged the new batch to approach their studies with an open mind and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

A key highlight of the event was an inspiring keynote by the Chief Guest, Mr. Sandeep Sethi. He shared his insights on what it takes to be a successful leader in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Mr. Sethi spoke about the need to stay adaptable, embrace change, and seek guidance from mentors and peers alike. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life, advising students to focus on their holistic development.

The Commencement Day marked the beginning of an engaging and enriching induction program, designed to immerse students in the culture and ethos of Great Lakes. The program featured a series of interactive sessions with faculty members, each aimed at broadening students’ perspectives and building a strong sense of community within the cohort.

The induction activities kicked off with a session on the Case Study method, led by Dr. Venkatesh. He provided an in-depth exploration of how to effectively analyze case studies, a fundamental skill in management education. This session sparked a wave of creative thinking among the students, challenging them to approach problems with innovative solutions.

This was followed by a refreshing yoga session, led by Prof. SK Palhan. The session was designed to help students manage stress and maintain their well-being throughout their rigorous academic journey, emphasizing the importance of mental and physical balance.

The day continued with a dynamic Team Building Session facilitated by PeopleLabs. Students participated in a variety of team-based activities, from indoor games like the balloon challenge to more physically demanding outdoor tasks such as the spider web and tower building exercises. These activities were crafted to strengthen teamwork and foster leadership skills, key elements of the PGPM experience.

Adding to the richness of the program, Prof. Ravindra Ojha led a thought-provoking session on goal setting. He encouraged students to articulate their short-term goals, helping them to focus on where they aspire to be in the coming months. Prof. Ojha shared his own experiences to illustrate how clear, actionable goals can drive success.

The induction program concluded with an engaging session with Great Lakes alumni, who returned to share their journeys and the impact of their education on their careers. Their stories of success and the vital role that Great Lakes played in their professional lives left a lasting impression on the new students, motivating them to aim high and make the most of their time at the institute.