Eduniversal Ranking: 6 Global Deans React

Professor Himanshu Rai, Director of Indian Institute of Management Indore

P&Q: What initiatives or strategic priorities over the past year most directly contributed to earning/maintaining the 5 Palmes of Excellence?

A key driver has been the institute’s substantial investment in technological advancement, reflected in 12.5% of total teaching hours dedicated to AI and cyber-management, an 85.41% digitalisation rate, and the integration of cutting-edge tools such as AI, AR, and advanced digital infrastructure – particularly strengthened through the MMS and MSDSM programmes, which are the institute’s flagship executive education degree offerings.

Alongside this, IIM Indore has enhanced its infrastructure and learning ecosystem, offering an outstanding 385.55 sqm of space per student and nurturing a diverse community representing six nationalities, supported by a growing number of international students, factors that strengthen its global attractiveness.

The institute’s excellent graduate outcomes also reinforce its reputation, with a 100% employability rate, competitive international salary levels, and strong support for entrepreneurship, reflected in 20 alumni-led start-ups created over the past five years.

Academically, the institute has expanded innovative pedagogical formats, including simulations, hackathons, hybrid learning, and interdisciplinary collaborations across technology, art, and law. These initiatives are backed by extensive faculty development in contemporary teaching methods, ensuring future-ready learning delivery.

IIM Indore’s deep commitment to Environmental and Social Responsibility further strengthens its standing through initiatives focused on reducing its carbon footprint, enhancing inclusivity and scholarships, forging partnerships with NGOs, and promoting meaningful community engagement.

Finally, the institute’s robust research output, 583 publications in five years, 6,065 citations, and a dedicated 17% research budget – combined with the growing impact of alumni in leadership roles, continues to enhance its long-term societal contribution and global reputation.

Collectively, these strategic efforts highlight IIM Indore’s sustained commitment to innovation, impact, sustainability, and academic excellence core pillars underpinning its continued recognition among the top global institutions with 5 Palmes of Excellence.

How has your school expanded or strengthened its global network, partnerships, or cross-border programs in ways that set it apart from regional peers?

IIM Indore has rapidly strengthened its global network, building 67 exchange partnerships across 27 countries, a 53% expansion since 2022. This has enabled vibrant mobility, with 312 outbound and 70 inbound exchange students in the last three years. The institute’s cross-border immersion programmes further set it apart, including the Advanced Leadership Programme at SDA Bocconi, Italy, for the Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management – EPGP  participants, and the international immersion at NTU Singapore for our One Year MBA, the Post Graduate Programme for Working Executives in Mumbai – PGPMX, benefiting over 340 learners together.

Internationalisation has deepened at the undergraduate level with the introduction of new supernumerary seats for foreign students, attracting learners from the UK, USA, and Canada. IIM Indore has also broadened its global academic footprint through 224 ABDC A/A* and FT50 publications and over 170 co-authored papers with 300+ international scholars.

Additionally, the institute has over 25 visiting international faculty members, and strategic executive-level collaborations with institutions such as Arizona State University, the University of Glasgow, the University of Denver, and the University of Liverpool, further enhance its global reach.

Collectively, these developments have led to rapid partnership growth, strong mobility, global immersions, international research, and executive-level alliances, which distinctly position IIM Indore ahead of many regional peers.

IIM Indore is proud to receive the 5 Palmes of Excellence for the first time. This recognition now plays a pivotal role in shaping our strategic priorities. It motivates us to strengthen our long-term global trajectory by expanding high-impact initiatives such as executive education programmes that now serve over 7,000 professionals annually, the scaling of our doctoral research ecosystem with 90+ active PhD scholars, and continuous enhancement of campus capabilities –including 385.55 sqm of academic space per student, one of the highest in the region. Additionally, the 5 Palmes recognition encourages us to further enhance our academic excellence and global engagement by accelerating investments in cutting-edge pedagogical innovation, faculty development, and international research collaborations. With a strong foundation in interdisciplinary teaching and a growing presence in high-impact themes such as sustainability, digital transformation, and responsible management, the recognition encourages us to broaden our global collaborations, attract leading international scholars, and build more joint programmes with top institutions worldwide. It also sharpens our competitive positioning by enhancing our global brand equity, enabling us to attract exceptional students, forge new strategic alliances, and strengthen our role as a globally engaged, future-ready management institution.

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