India’s moment — A unique confluence of time, place, and potential that energises us to leap into the future: Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani at the BITSoM’S convocation, 2024

Mumbai : BITS School of Management (BITSoM) hosted its convocation for the MBA Class of 2022 – 2024, at the NCPA, Mumbai. All 131 graduates comprising of 34% women received their management degrees in the presence of Chief Guest, Mr. Leander Paes, Padma Bhushan, Olympic Medallist, and 18-time Grand Slam Champion.

In less than three years since its inception, BITSoM has been able to curate a world class learning experience, delivered by 50 global faculty members, grown the unique set of behavioural and perspective building courses on winning at the workplace, and successfully expanded the one-on-one personal development programme to four facilitators and the corporate mentoring programme to 50+ mentors.

Congratulating BITSoM’s 2024 class, their families, faculty, and the staff, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “There has never been a more fortuitous moment to be young and stepping out from the halls of a business school in India. This is indeed India’s moment. A unique confluence of time, place, and potential that energises us to leap into the future. In the face of this unparalleled opportunity, it falls upon you, to seize the moment. For young leaders, there is a horizon teeming with opportunities—from technology to entrepreneurship, and sustainable development to innovative financial models, the canvas is vast and waiting for your brushstrokes.”

Mr. Leander Paes, in his commencement address congratulated the graduating Class of 2024 and said, “Success is about playing to your strengths and challenging yourself beyond comfort zones. Your validation comes from within, not from proving yourself to others. Leave behind a legacy that reflects your unique journey”. He further added, “Draw inspiration from leaders like your Chancellor Kumar Mangalam Birla and learn from the experiences of your faculty. Surround yourself with those whose actions speak louder than words. As you embark on your journey, remember: if I can do it, so can YOU. Be lifelong students, continuously evolving and inspiring others along the way”.

Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “Success in the business realm transcends mere mastery of theories and number crunching. It hinges on one’s ability to embrace uncertainty, pivot with changing tides, and courageously undertake calculated risks. As MBA students, recognize that your education surpasses the confines of the classroom; it’s a journey toward cultivating the mindset and resilience essential for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and innovative ventures.”

Dr Saravan Kesavan, Dean, BITSoM congratulated the graduating class and said, “I am incredibly proud of the achievements of the MBA Class of 2024. This batch is graduating at a time of great uncertainty brought about by AI. However, I am confident that our graduates are not only well equipped to handle the technological challenges but also to make significant contributions to organizations through these turbulent times.”

During the ceremony, Akash Junnarkar received the ‘Valedictorian Award’, and Mohnish Shah received the ‘Chancellor’s Award for All-Round Excellence’ from the Chief Guest, Mr. Leander Paes, and Chancellor of BITS Pilani, Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla.

Students of the Class of 2024 have secured placements at leading corporations such as McKinsey & Co., Boston Consulting Group (BCG), EY, PwC, KPMG, Aditya Birla Group, Hindustan Unilever, Pidilite Industries, JP Morgan Chase, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Accenture Strategy, among others.

600 people including the students, their families, members of the faculty, and the BITSoM team attended the convocation ceremony.

In February 2024, BITSoM moved into its permanent residential campus near Kalyan, MMR. Spread over 63 acres, and with an investment of Rs. 1500 Cr, it is a future-ready, all-residential campus designed to accommodate 5000 students at peak capacity.