Bhubaneswar, May 17: In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, IIM Sambalpur has launched its two cutting-edge new undergraduate programmes: “Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy” and “Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence”. Anchored in the core values of Integrity and Innovation, the programmes provide strong roots in data analysis, critical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making. The cross-functional courses are designed to develop responsible leaders who can address intricate societal and industrial challenges with innovation, compassion, and a global perspective.

The Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy programme is designed to meet national managerial aspirations in terms of Sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and community-led development. This programme aims to equip a new generation of change-makers to close the gap between policy and practice at the grassroots level.

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is focused towards developing India's digital capability and global competitiveness. The programme, co-designed with industry leaders builds future ready skill set among young students and encourages the use of ethical AI, reaffirming the institution's pledge to innovation with integrity.

The event also witnessed a roundtable discussion with the theme: "Global Capability Centres (GCCs) as Engines of Innovation for Global Enterprises. Bramhanand Jha, PMP, Vice President, National eGovernance Division under MeitY, Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India graced the occasion as the chief guest. While Lt. Col. Piyush Shukla, Director (JEE), National Testing Agency (NTA) and Rajesh Kumar, Director (CUET), National Testing Agency (NTA) were present as the keynote speakers, who came together to discuss the evolving role of GCCs as crucial hubs driving innovation and global digital transformation and contributed valuable insights on the future of global enterprises and the strategic role of GCCs.

Chief Guest, Bramhanand Jha, PMP, Vice President, National eGovernance Division under MeitY, Ministry of Electronics & IT, GOI, said, "India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are no longer low-cost arbitrage centres; they are becoming strategic innovation hubs for value for global business. With the economy shifting towards a digital-first economy, GCCs are leading the way in developing agile, technology-enabled, and future-proof organizations. Academic institutions like IIM Sambalpur, with vision-oriented programmes in Data Science, AI, and Public Policy, are developing the talent and mindset to drive this change. At MeitY, we are committed to developing an ecosystem in which the academia, industry, and governance collaborate to drive sustainable innovation, transformation, and digital leadership.”

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “It is a great pride that we have successfully launched Bachelor of Science (B.S) four-year fully residential programme. This is a pioneering step towards building future-ready leaders of tomorrow. In line with India’s National Education Policy, (NEP 2020) our vision is to create responsible leaders with entrepreneurial mindset. These undergraduate programmes have a flexible structure that allows students to gain a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, a degree after three years, and an honors degree after successfully completing four years, with multiple entry and exit points. As an institution of national importance, we are committed to offering future-oriented, Interdisciplinary education that blends academic rigor with societal relevance. We also aim to cultivate graduates who are not only career-ready but also change maker capable of navigating and influencing complex socio-economic landscape with clarity, compassion and courage, I warmly welcome aspiring young minds to be part of this transformative journey.”

Keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Piyush Shukla, Director (JEE), National Testing Agency (NTA), said, “India's education evaluation system is changing to discover and develop talent that can succeed in fast-paced, innovation-driven setups like Global Capability Centres. It is encouraging to witness institutions like IIM Sambalpur launch innovative undergraduate programmes that blend analytical rigour with policy and technology expertise. Our vision at NTA is to develop a strong and inclusive testing system in tune with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and ready students for global leadership and innovation."

Keynote speaker, Rajesh Kumar, Director (CUET), National Testing Agency (NTA) said, “With the launch of CUET, we have made a big leap towards democratizing access to quality higher education in India. As top institutions such as IIM Sambalpur introduce specialized undergraduate programmes in Data Science, AI, and Public Policy, it becomes even more important that talent from all parts of the country gets an equal chance to be part of the innovation economy. Global Capability Centres are shaping the future of work, and through an equitable, transparent, and standardized testing environment, NTA is dedicated to helping drive this transformation by empowering the next generation of globally capable professionals.”

The event was followed by two panel discussions on the topic “Transforming Operations through GCCs: The Digital Shift from Cost Efficiency to Strategic Value.” An esteemed group of speakers participated, including Dr. Praveen K. Choudhary (PhD), Global Operations Director; Bikas Kr. Singh, VP at SAP; Alouk Kumar, Founder and CEO of Inductus Group; Puneet Panchal, Senior VP and Head of Insurance at Cube Highways; CA S. Santhanakrishnan, Founder Partner of M/s.PKF Sridhar & Santhanam LLP Chartered Accountants; Sudhir Dasamantharao, COO of FourthSquare; and Souryakanta Das, Adjunct Professor at IIM Sambalpur. The second session, titled “Aligning Talent Upskilling with Policy Innovation for Sustainable GCC Growth,” featured Rajdeep Sahrawat, Executive Director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP; Aakash Varma, Knowledge Expert at McKinsey & Company; Emmy Anita Gilbert, SAVP and Business Partner at EXL; Rajesh Ranjan, Head of Government Affairs at Google India; Rohin Kapoor, Partner in Management Consulting at BDO in India; and Chandraprakash Jain, VP of HR at TP.

It is to be noted that IIM Sambalpur is the first IIM to offer admissions to its B.S. in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence programme through IIT JEE Main, and to its B.S. in Management and Public Policy programme through CUET, both national-level entrance exams conducted by the National Testing Agency. It is to be noted that admissions for the B.S. programmes will begin in June 2025. Classes for the first batch will commence from September 2025.

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