The second class of the executive master of business administration (EMBA) program at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Visakhapatnam was officially launched on Sunday.

In an effort to make higher education more accessible to working professionals, this program complies with the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) policy permitting admissions twice a year.

Happy Paul, the program chairwoman, explained the institute’s choice to offer the EMBA program with a winter intake, highlighting the institution’s objective to meet the increasing need for professionals to have flexible and easily accessible learning options.

The institution’s admission chair, Prashant Premkumar Nair, gave a profile of the 2024–2026 EMBA class, which consists of 102 working professionals from a variety of sectors. The participants have an average of more than eight years of work experience, and 23% of the class are female.

The institution’s dean of academics, Vijaya Bhaskar Marisetty, emphasized the significance of closing the skill gap in the rapidly changing labor market of today. He emphasized the program’s goal of addressing the transition from material to information and human capital.

The Director of IIM-V, Prof. M Chandrashekhar, emphasized the importance of learning and leadership, adding that leadership development at the university extends beyond understanding fundamental best practices.

It also involves encouraging creativity and developing “next practices” that result in significant transformation. He emphasized that the school cultivates the knowledge and abilities required to mold future leaders within its vibrant community of more than 3,500 pupils.

Vishal Malik, Kearney PERLab’s chief operating officer and administrative officer, emphasized the value of ongoing upskilling for working professionals in his speech. He discussed seven essential concepts for creating a rewarding career, such as dedication, flexibility, keeping a marathon mentality, and striking a balance between one’s health and professional goals.