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IIMB expands horizons with launch of undergraduate degrees in Economics & Data Science - APN News

Bengaluru : The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) held a press conference at its Bannerghatta Road campus earlier today to formally introduce two undergraduate programmes to its academic portfolio: BSc Honours in Economics (with a minor in Data Science and Business) and BSc Honours in Data Sciences (with a minor in Economics and Business), under the umbrella of the School of Multidisciplinary Studies. IIMB leadership, including Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director, IIMB; Prof. P.D. Jose, Professor-in-Charge of IIMB's second campus; Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean of Programmes and faculty of OB&HRM; Prof. Sourav Mukherji, Dean of Alumni Relations & Development and faculty of OB&HRM, and members of the media gathered for a detailed presentation on the Institute's academic vision, design philosophy, and long-term roadmap for the offerings. The full-time, four-year residential programmes that have been designed in keeping with the National Education Policy (NEP) will be delivered at the Institute's upcoming Jigani campus, located about 27 km from its main campus. The programmes were conceived as part of IIMB's broader vision to contribute to UG education in India with the same academic rigour that defines its postgraduate and executive education programmes. Combined with the shortage of high-quality UG programmes in non-tech disciplines, the genesis finds its roots in discussions held nearly a decade ago, catalyzed by the Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme launched by the UGC to position select Indian institutions on the global map. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, outlined the vision and intent behind the launch. "Our vision is to nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers capable of driving positive change. To actualize this vision, we believe it is important to engage young learners early; familiarize them with the intricacies of emerging and unfamiliar markets, and equip them with analytical, contextual, and ethical perspectives". The curriculum will integrate economics, data science, philosophy, communication, and ethics, with a flavor of business education, to establish a strong application-based orientation. Programme highlights include two internship cycles; an international exchange term offering; a curriculum grounded in context sensitivity, individual transformation, and life competencies; and the option for a three-year exit with a degree. The balance of depth and breadth offered is expected to set these programmes apart from other UG offerings in India. Infrastructure and intake Applications for the inaugural cohorts will open in September 2025, with the first batch scheduled to commence in August 2026. Each programme will begin with an intake of 40 students, bringing the total cohort size to 80 students per year for the first two years. The cohort is projected to grow to 640 students by 2031, in tandem with infrastructure expansion at the Jigani campus. A dedicated faculty pool of 15 members will be initially drawn from leading institutions globally and from IIMB's existing academic ecosystem. Prof. P.D. Jose stated that the programmes were conceived to offer a rigorous, interdisciplinary education that blends technical depth with a liberal arts orientation to equip young learners with the tools to navigate complex, data-rich and behaviour-driven environments. "To meet today's challenges, we urgently need leaders who are empathetic, insightful, and highly skilled. These challenges demand a collaborative, creative, and data-driven approach, combining critical and holistic thinking with strong communication and social influence skills to solve complex problems. These are the hallmarks of a liberal arts education, which is further the foundation of individual and societal flourishing", he said. Eligibility requirements: - Age: Not over 20 years (General category) or 22 years (Reserved category) as of 1 August 2025. - Academic Qualification: A pass in Class XII or equivalent from a recognised board. Mathematics in Class XII with a minimum of 60% marks is mandatory for both majors. Overall score of 60% or above in Class X. - Admissions will be conducted through a national test, followed by an interview. The programme fee is set at ₹8.5 lakh per annum, with financial aid built into the design. "Aid to the extent of 20% in aggregate has already been factored in, and every deserving student will have the opportunity to access financial support," the Director stated. Industry interface and employability On the need for such an offering, Prof. Krishnan noted, "India is a young country with a large demographic dividend. At a time when global immigration is tightening, the demand for high-quality, locally available education is rising". On IIMB being uniquely positioned to carry out this endeavor as an Institute of National Importance (NI), he added, saying, "We feel confident in our abilities to address this challenge. We have been providing an analytics course as part of our PGP in Business Analytics (PGPBA) programme for a few years now. We carry a 50-year track record of academic excellence with deep market understanding, strong industry linkages, and the academic freedom to continually refine our curriculum". On placement support and ensuring the employability of the programmes in a competitive market, Prof. Mukta Kulkarni said, "This is a degree being offered by a management school. We are looking at this from a practice/application point of view. Students will receive structured placement support. We have extensive industry and international connects, including over 100 institutional partnerships globally. Internships, exposure to core disciplines, and an exchange term are all integral components of the programme". She further added that the combination of Data Science and Economics positions students advantageously in both academic and applied career trajectories. "We have four years to ensure our students are adaptable, resilient, and prepared. We've curated the best current curriculum the market has to offer, and we are ready to evolve as the world evolves". "The UG initiative does represent an inflection point for IIMB. We have long been accustomed to working with older learners. We recognize that undergraduate education will require a recalibrated approach. Building coherence between PG and UG ecosystems while preserving the hallmark IIMB learning experience is an opportunity the institute has approached with deliberation and ambition", said Prof. Sourav Mukherji. He also noted the enthusiasm within IIMB's alumni fraternity of nearly 30,000 members, many of whom are actively engaged in supporting the UG initiative. The Institute also shared visual projections of the upcoming Jigani campus, envisioned as a vibrant, future-ready learning environment that aligns with the ambitions of the UG programmes, which include the launch of two more programme offerings in Sustainability and Behavioral Sciences to be delivered at a later time.

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