Patna/Gaya: IIM-Bodh Gaya on its 11th foundation day on Monday launched its first Executive PhD (EPhD) programme and inducted the sixth batch of its Integrated Programme in Management (IPM).The institute welcomed 207 IPM students—70 women and 137 men, while 14 scholars, including two women, joined the inaugural Executive PhD batch.Speaking on this occasion, director Vinita S Sahay challenged the new generation to think beyond incremental progress and “leapfrog” ahead. Drawing on Bodh Gaya’s unique spiritual legacy, she stressed that human capital is Bihar’s most valuable resource and called upon students to turn youthful energy into innovation, entrepreneurship and transformative change.Chief guest Nitish Mishra, minister for urban development and housing and IT, brought the state’s changing economic narrative into sharp focus.He said Bihar now has more than approved 1,700 startups, which are funded by the state govt, as part of an ecosystem approaching 5,000 count.“This is not the Bihar of old headlines. This is the state that is building, founding, and funding its own future,” Mishra said, positioning IIM-Bodh Gaya as a symbol of the state’s growing academic aspirations.Guest of honour, Officers Training Academy (OTA) commandant Lt Gen Sandeep Singh, stressed the importance of staying connected with Indian values and urged students to respect Hindi.Aviral Kumar Tiwari, chairperson of the PhD programme, introduced the EPhD programme, while Archana Patro, chairperson of the IPM programme, gave an overview of the course.IndiGo vice-president (HR) Ruchi Dhawan Sharma, JM Financial Asset Management Ltd MD and CEO Amitabh Mohanty, Google’s Satyendra Khare and Siemens Technology and Services head of training Pintu Kumar Jain also addressed the students.
