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Chief Guest
Arun Sarin, Former CEO Vodafone Group Plc
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Rajat Gupta
Chairman of the ISB Board
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Dipak Jain
Dean, Kellogg School of Management
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Ajit Rangnekar
Dean of ISB
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ISB Celebrates Class of 2009 Graduation Day
The Indian School of Business (ISB) celebrated its Eighth Graduation Day for the Class of 2009 on April 4, 2009. The day marked the end of an eventful academic calendar.
This year, 437 students were awarded certificates for the Post Graduate Programme in Management. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Arun Sarin, Former Chief Executive, Vodafone Group. He gave away the certificates to the students, amidst cheering parents, visitors and friends present in the audience. Also present for this special day were eminent members of the ISB Board, Dean Dipak Jain from Kellogg School of Management, amongst other dignitaries.
Dean Ajit Rangnekar formally addressed the gathering and welcomed everyone. His address summarised the many events and achievements of the last academic year.
To the Graduating Class of 2009 Dean Rangnekar said, “Congratulations to all of you for successfully completing a very demanding and tough programme. You have gained new knowledge, made lasting friends, and collected memories that will be with you lifelong. Equally, you have learnt important lessons for life. We are very proud of you. I personally admire your tenacity, your resilience, pragmatism and the ability to rise above short term difficulties. You are a very special class indeed. I am sure that you will not let circumstances decide your future, you will script your own destiny. You will build doors when opportunity is slow to knock on your door. You will go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined.”
Dean Rangnekar mentioned that these are challenging times for the industry and that the economic slowdown has had a direct impact on the Placements. He then pointed out that the founder Class of 2002 also graduated during a downturn. Today they are among the top performers in the industry, and so will the Class of 2009.
Chief Guest Arun Sarin in his address to the outgoing Class said, “You are graduating at a very interesting and exciting time in the history of the world, where many changes are occurring and you can shape the world.”
He went to discuss how at the macro level the world is changing in a very fundamental way at the core, and that the changes are here to stay . “These macro changes will be frightening to some and will be exciting for others. My advice to you is be front-foot and make most of the changes by leading the change that is coming upon us. Understand the differences in the various economies, learn about what makes them tick and then share the innovative and best practices around the world,” was his advice to the Class of 2009.
Sarin mentioned that to keep the pace of progress, India will require large amounts of capital, large amounts of skilled labour and large amounts of leadership in the future. “And frankly that is where you come in because you can provide the leadership that India needs to display in the coming decades,” he said.
“Lead the change and shape the word,” he said to the eager faces in the audience. He then went on to define the ingredients of a good leader. According to Sarin, a good leader must be a “good strategic leader, a good operational leader and a good people leader”. “Leadership is hard work. So, shape yourselves so that you can shape the world,” he added.
Finally Sarin shared some “personal advice” with the graduating class - “do what you love to, be excellent at it, be curious, learn constantly, think big, do not be afraid of failures and temporary setbacks, be more than just ‘book smart’, finally leave the world a better place, and remember that integrity and ethics is core to good leadership.” The tectonic changes are happening all around you in every way. Embrace this change and shape the world through your leadership. And develop your leadership skills early in your career and enjoy the journey of life.
Chairman of the Board, Rajat Gupta in his address mentioned that the School has traversed a challenging but rewarding journey, and the FT 15 rankings was one such accomplishment. He added, “In my heart I believe that perhaps our brand is a little bit ahead of reality. We need to continue to strive to do the right things, continue to improve and not rest on our laurels.” To the outgoing Class he said, “You have got to look outside the boundaries, you have got to look at what is good for the institution, beyond your immediate job and that is how you will learn a lot and develop your leadership capabilities.”
Dipak Jain, in his very inspiring address, said that the graduating class had before them three R’s to follow – “ Reflection, Renewal, and Responsibility. The ISB or Kellogg is a place where you come with a passion and a purpose, and we help you with the tools to combine your passion and your purpose, to renew your responsibilities," he said. He stressed on the need to go beyond personal successes and take up more responsibility of the community. Along with this, he noted, the need to imbibe and retain the inherent Indian ‘Sanskar’ as a core value.
After the key addresses, the School recognised the outstanding members of the class of 2009 for their excellence in academics. At the ceremony were honoured the ISB Scholars of Excellence, Sumit Popli and Vivek Lath. The top 10 percent of the Class who made it to the Dean’s List for their distinctive performance in various activities were also given their dues on stage, amidst applause and good wishes. This was followed by the handing over of certificates to all the other students. A vote of thanks was proposed by Savita Mahajan, Associate Dean of ISB.
Any Graduation Day is not complete without the “Hat Toss” and “Gown Drop”, and the ISB was no exception in this case. The air was filled with cheers from the students and their well wishers, and shutterbugs went on ceaselessly. The most awaited day in the life of a student at ISB came to a befitting and memorable end.
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