- 41 professionals earn ePGD-ABA diplomas at IIMA convocation
- Reliance Jio’s Chief AI Scientist Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal delivers keynote
- AI must solve India’s hardest problems, not just optimise profits: Aggarwal
- Director Prof. Bharat Bhasker calls for ethics, empathy in analytics
- Blended 16-month programme strengthens India’s data and AI talent pipeline
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 29
Forty-one working professionals were awarded the Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics (ePGD-ABA) at a convocation ceremony held at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) on Wednesday, marking another milestone in India’s rapidly expanding analytics and artificial intelligence talent ecosystem.
The ceremony was graced by Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal, Chief AI Scientist, Reliance Jio, as the chief guest. He was joined on the dais by Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA; Prof. Diptesh Ghosh, Dean (Programmes); Prof. Anindya Chakrabarti, Programme Chair; and faculty members of the Institute. Prof. Bharat Bhasker awarded diplomas to the graduating participants.
The ePGD-ABA is a 16-month-long diploma programme, specifically designed for working professionals, and offered in a blended learning format. The programme equips participants with cutting-edge skills in analytics tools, machine learning, cloud computing, and domain-specific applications, enabling them to make data-driven managerial and business decisions.
The 2024–25 batch represented a diverse cross-section of industries, including Consulting, Retail and E-commerce, Advertising, Telecom, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, FMCG, IT, and Manufacturing, among others. Upon graduation, the cohort formally joined IIMA’s prestigious alumni network.
Delivering the Convocation Address, Dr. Gaurav Aggarwal reflected on his journey from a small town in Uttar Pradesh to leading AI initiatives at Reliance Jio. Introducing what he termed “The Headlights Philosophy,” he explained that when long-term career visibility is limited, sustained progress can still be achieved by focusing sharply on the next immediate step.
Outlining three principles for navigating an uncertain future, he advised graduates to move away from excessive prediction and instead build agility in a fast-changing world. He emphasised deep engagement with one’s craft across domains and urged students to embrace uncertainty rather than allowing it to stall present action.
Dr. Aggarwal also called upon graduates to deploy artificial intelligence as a force for nation-building. He said, “We are currently in one of the most exciting phases of technology in human history. But nowhere is it more exciting than right here in India. You are graduating from IIMA, you have the best analytical toolkit in the world. But do not just use your skills to optimise click-through rates. Do not just use your skills to make the wealthy wealthier. Look at the problems around you in India. They are unstructured, they are opaque, but they are the ones worth solving.”
In his concluding address, Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, highlighted the surging demand for analytics and AI professionals in India and underscored the responsibility that comes with data-driven power.
He said, “Global and domestic organisations are making significant investments in analytics and artificial intelligence in India. Companies across sectors are relying on analytics to improve efficiency, manage risk, personalise services, and promote innovation. But you also need to be mindful that analytics is not just about numbers and algorithms; it is also about people. It is about understanding human behaviour, anticipating needs, and designing solutions that improve lives. Therefore, as you move forward, I would urge you to balance efficiency with empathy and always keep ethics as your guiding compass. This diploma is not the endpoint but a strong foundation for lifelong learning.”
