IIM Trichy conducts its 1st Valedictory Function for the Long Duration Stragetic HRM programme

Trichy: Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli conducted the Valedictory Function for the first batch of the Post Graduate Certificate Programme in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) on 10th October 2021. Designed to help executives align different functional dimensions of HRM to organizational objectives, the programme is IIM Trichy’s first long-duration certificate programme.

The function started on an auspicious note with the lighting of the lamp.

Prof Upam Pushpak Makhecha, SHRM Programme Director, addressed the session and highlighted that the one-year programme drew in a batch of 90 students from across generations and from diverse demographical and professional backgrounds which added to the quality of classroom discussions. Designed to suit the requirements of the cohort, the course was structured into 3 modules focusing on initially building a foundation of SHRM models and frameworks, working on HR functional domain alignment and finally applying them in situations of strategic renewal and international contexts. These modules were followed by three workshops tailormade to current trends, namely new labour codes, design thinking and a hands-on approach to HR analytics and data visualization. The certificates were handed over virtually to the 78 students who successfully completed the programme.

Dr. Prashant Gupta, Chairperson, Executive Education and Consulting, addressed the audience emphasizing how this batch of the programme is special to the institute as it is the first batch of a long-duration programme at IIM Trichy. He signified that while this was the end of a journey for the programme, he looks forward to meeting the students in person on the campus.

Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Director- IIM Trichy, congratulated all the students and highlighted the significance of HR personnel in every industry. He called them the custodians of superior factors of an organization such as patience, character, resilience, drawing examples from the uncertainties of COVID. He explained how Strategic Human Resource Management acts as a tool that aligns HR to the grand purpose of an organization. He quoted Maslow by saying that the duty of an organization is to empower one to attain self-actualization.

He cited verses from the Bhagavad Gita that speak about the five factors for success-physical and mental wellbeing, the self, instruments and infrastructure, devotion to work, and ultimately offering the results to the cosmic forces. He emphasized humility to be the quality of utmost importance for leadership and advised the students to remain humble as they climb up the corporate ladder. He concluded that an academic institution without students is like an orchard without flowers and thanked the outgoing batch for their virtual presence.

This was followed by the announcement of the merit award winners who were felicitated by the Director, namely:
1. Amita Rout
2. Swaroopa Chandran
3. Chakrapani Sharma

Prof. Mukundhan K V congratulated the batch virtually and left a heart-warming note of appreciation for their dedication and curiosity throughout the program.

The floor was open to the graduating batch, who took the opportunity to convey how the program helped them understand the dynamic nature of business and provided context for strategic resource management. They shared messages of gratitude to the professors and institute for providing a well-structured course that helped them enhance their skills in difficult times when COVID left the world at a standstill.

Programme Director, Prof. Smita Chattopadhyay, recalled how various courses around the world were actively studied to design this programme to be valuable for students and their careers in the long run. She delivered the vote of thanks and thanked all those associated with the program, including Jaro, for being the technical backbone and delivering the course’s rigor. She emphasized that while this was the end of a journey for the students, it was also the start of a new one and the formation of a new relationship between the institute and the students as one between an alma mater and alumni.

The program concluded with the National Anthem.