IIM Indore Inaugurates the 16th Batch of EDPM and the 6th Batch of EDPMG, Strengthening Research for National and Global Impact
Continuing its commitment to excellence in research and executive education, the Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) commenced the 16th batch of the Executive Doctoral Programme in Management (EDPM) and the 6th batch of the Executive Doctoral Programme in Management & Governance (EDPMG). The batch was inaugurated by Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore. The inauguration marked the beginning of a new academic journey for experienced professionals who aspire to create meaningful impact through rigorous, practice-oriented research.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Himanshu Rai reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to developing contextually relevant, world-class, and socially conscious leaders. Highlighting the vision behind the Executive Doctoral Programmes, he shared how IIM Indore is creating a research culture that addresses pressing national challenges such as income disparity, urban infrastructure, rural development, environmental sustainability, and governance. He emphasized that the programmes, EDPM and EDPMG, were created to bridge the gap between academia, industry, governance, and defence by enabling experienced professionals to undertake research with tangible societal impact. “At IIM Indore, we are committed to nurturing leaders who blend knowledge with compassion and research with purpose. Our executive doctoral programmes are designed for professionals who aspire to solve real-world problems through cutting-edge scholarship,” he said. Prof. Rai encouraged participants to pursue their research with curiosity, integrity, discipline, and humility, and to choose topics that inspire them, generate new knowledge, and create meaningful value for both society and scholarship.
Delivering the inaugural address as the Chief Guest, Prof. Arup Varma, Professor of Management and Frank W. Considine Chair in Applied Ethics at the Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, encouraged participants to view their doctoral journey as a pursuit driven by passion rather than obligation. Sharing insights from his own academic journey, he emphasized that a PhD is a marathon requiring perseverance, resilience, and intellectual honesty. “A PhD is not an easy ride. There will be moments when you question why you are doing it, but if you choose a topic that genuinely excites you and remain committed to the process, the journey will be immensely rewarding,” he said. Stressing the importance of academic integrity, he urged scholars to avoid shortcuts, actively engage with faculty and peers, and leverage the rich academic ecosystem at IIM Indore. Congratulating the participants, he described IIM Indore as one of the finest institutions to pursue executive doctoral education and encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity.
Welcoming the new batch, Prof. Rajhans Mishra reflected on IIM Indore’s pioneering role in executive doctoral education, noting that the Institute was the first among the IIMs to introduce the Executive Doctoral Programme in Management & Governance (EDPMG). Encouraging participants to make the most of the Institute’s vibrant research ecosystem, he advised them to approach the programme with an open mind, intellectual curiosity, and a strong commitment to continuous learning.
