MBA has been the talk of the town among professionals for ages. It’s often seen as the key to unlocking leadership and managerial roles. In India, there are over 5000+ B-schools offering a diverse array of 100+ MBA programmes, catering to freshers, working professionals, CEOs, and career shifters alike.

Choosing the right MBA programme in this sea of options can be a daunting task. Questions like ‘What course?’, ‘Which B-school?’, ‘What factors matter?’ can leave you feeling overwhelmed. In such a situation, seeking external guidance is your best move, and who better to turn to than the alums—the people who’ve already navigated the MBA journey and aced the process.

In this article, PaGaLGuY presents the firsthand testimonies of innovative business leaders who’ve been through it all and have the best insights to share. Let’s embark on this journey to discover the pearls of wisdom from those who are walking the MBA path with IIM K. 

I had the privilege of completing the one-year PGPBL programme offered by IIMK, and I can confidently say that it was a life-changing experience. The programme exceeded my expectations in every way possible, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to advance their career in business leadership. The curriculum was comprehensive and well-structured, covering all the key aspects of business strategy, leadership, finance, marketing, operations, and human resource management. The faculty at IIMK were highly experienced and passionate about teaching, and their insights and guidance proved invaluable in helping me develop a deeper understanding of business concepts. One of the most unique aspects of the programme was the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and experts through guest lectures and real-world case studies. These experiences helped me gain a practical understanding of how businesses operate and provided me with invaluable networking opportunities that have proved beneficial in my career. This further helped me in a smooth transition from a core operations background to strategy consulting. Overall, the PGPBL programme at IIMK has been a game-changer for me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to take their career in business to the next level.

I feel privileged to have completed the one-year PGP Business Leadership programme at IIM Kozhikode. This programme, in fact, offers more than what you expect, as there are no shortcuts in curriculum or workload. The curriculum was comprehensive, and the professors were knowledgeable and supportive, making learning enjoyable and meaningful. The students in the programme offer a unique perspective in the classroom, as all of us had experience in various cross-functional roles in our previous organisations. These experiences were shared by the cohort, applied to the teachings, and learnings were then imparted to us by the esteemed professors. As an entrepreneur, this programme has helped me refine and acquire many concepts and taught me where I could apply the learnings in my business. The Gods Own Campus is where there is an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery, learn under the best professors in the country, and make lifelong connections and friendships. I highly recommend this programme to anyone looking to elevate their professional career and broaden their horizons.

Stepping into IIMK campus as a student is a dream of a lifetime for all of us. Besides the reputation that the IIM brand commands the world over, not many of us on the outside fully realise what a year of transformation at IIM-K PGP-Business Leadership entails and feels like. It is one of those things that can be fully understood only when one experiences it. I was fortunate in every sense, to experience that one-year transformation along with 63 others who were the best at whatever they did. Academically IIMK PGP-BL is an MBA programme that moves at a break-neck pace from day-1. The rigour and intensity of the course pushed the boundaries of what I considered even possible, shaping me to become a whole different person. In my eagerness to live the IIM experience to the fullest, having volunteered to be on one of the committees at IIMK, and having taken up an internship during the 1-year, I often felt like I had on my plate way more than what I could practically do in a year’s time. Although one feels like there is never enough time for anything while on campus, the vibrant atmosphere on campus and the feeling of oneness with the PGP-BL cohort leaves no room to question oneself. IIMK PGP-BL instills within us the unshakable confidence it takes to face head-on any challenge the world throws at us while always reminding us how important it is to remain grounded and true to our conscience. With a 2-week exchange programme to Japan, followed by a weeklong international immersion at SDA Bocconi, Italy, and a year full of back-to-back course work, corporate visits, and fun events, I was truly blessed to have it all at IIMK. PGP-Business Leadership at IIMK is a programme that makes its students discover dimensions and facets of their personalities that they never knew existed. Every class by every professor, every new group, every course, and every new day on the pristine campus is nothing short of one wonderful life-changing experience: an experience that can never fully be described by words, an experience that can only be understood by living it!

After completing my MBA in Business Leadership at IIMK, I can confidently say that my experience at the institution was exceptional. Our cohort was composed of individuals from diverse industry backgrounds, which provided a unique opportunity to learn from a wide range of experiences and perspectives. The faculty of the BL programme were highly experienced and knowledgeable in their respective fields, challenging us to think critically and providing real-world examples and case studies to apply what we learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios. The curriculum was designed to be practical and incorporate the latest industry trends and best practices. The PGP BL programme also offered various extracurricular activities, including guest lectures, leadership talks, and workshops, which provided ample opportunities to network with industry experts and build valuable connections. Moreover, the various business clubs in college offered me an opportunity to develop new skills and improve my existing ones. Overall, I highly recommend the BL programme to anyone who wants to develop leadership skills and become a well-rounded personality.

“Resolve” used to be just another word to me, until I took a class with other PGP in Business Leadership students. The commitment and intensity shown by all, at the same time being helpful, not only made me more knowledgeable but also a better person. Peer learning was the best part of the programme because it gave me a chance to see different perspectives on business. The PGPBL programme was more than just a way to get an MBA degree. It was like a community that challenged us, supported us, and made us commit to our goals. The wonderful opportunities presented to me during the programme helped us become better versions of ourselves.

Reflecting on my journey as a student of the PGP-Business Leadership program, I am humbled by the transformational experience I was privileged to have. Learning management and business from some of the country’s brilliant professors and industry leaders challenged me to think critically, providing deep insights that have been instrumental for my career growth. Every day I looked forward to the engaging case study discussions and group assignments that enabled me to connect with diverse peers and gain new perspectives on any given topic. Cherry on top was enjoying this journey in one of the most stunning campuses, which provided just the perfect environment for me to grow as a person. Perhaps the best part of the experience, however, was the people I met along the way. The friendships I formed with my fellow classmates are ones that I know will last a lifetime. Together, we weathered the ups and downs of the program and supported each other every step of the way. Overall, it was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. I am thankful to have been a part of the PGP-Business Leadership program and to have met such incredible people.

The BL programme has been a fulfilling chapter for me. I was one of the only non-engineers from an arts background and had a steep learning curve for some of the core courses. Despite its packed schedule, the course allowed me enough time to introspect and think deeply about my career choices. I met diverse people from different parts of the country and participated in some thought-provoking classroom discussions. Aside from academics, I participated in quite a few extracurriculars. My favorite bit was the international immersion in Milan as it provided me exposure to a different culture. I also appreciated the ability to choose from a broad range of electives and managed to dabble in some interesting courses.

It is often said that a leader is the one who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way. Little did I know that the PGP Business Leadership programme would be a testament to moulding such business leaders of tomorrow. Hailing from an automotive technical background, I was keen on honing skills that would equip me to become a holistic business leader. PGP-BL at IIMK was no less than a widespread buffet in the form of peers from varied backgrounds, rigorous curriculum, esteemed faculty, case competitions, varied business perspectives from international immersion, and much more with the Students’ Council being one of the endeavours closest to my heart! Personally, the experience of being a part of the Students’ Council was surreal and helped me to navigate through situations that would be proxies to real-life corporate business decision-making situations. Not to forget, the icing on the cake – the pristine and oxy-rich campus whose vibes would forever reverberate in the valleys of our hearts and minds!

About PGP BL Programme at IIM Kozhikode 

The one-year Post-Graduate Programme in Business Leadership is a distinctively designed management course that seeks to mould recent graduates with relevant work experience into prospective business leaders. This is achieved through an immersive and comprehensive curriculum and training regimen.

The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) is presently in a phase of rapid expansion and offers an extensive array of academic programmes in the field of management education. It has consistently introduced innovative approaches to programme design and delivery. In alignment with this pioneering ethos, IIMK’s Post-Graduate Programme in Business Leadership (PGP-BL) is meticulously structured to integrate academic learning with global exposure and a profound understanding of essential leadership and ethical business principles. This is cultivated through a development process that promotes personalised learning and self-reflection.

By nurturing the all-round growth of young professionals with prior experience, the programme aspires to produce well-rounded managers who possess a strong potential for leadership. These future leaders are envisioned as capable, confident, multifaceted, empathetic, conscious, and values-driven individuals, ready to make a meaningful impact from the outset. A noteworthy aspect of this programme is the infusion of Eastern values and timeless Indian leadership wisdom into the curriculum, harmoniously blending the best of Eastern and Western perspectives into a holistic package.

To learn more about PGP BL Programme at IIM Kozhikode,  CLICK HERE. 

IIM Kozhikode is accepting applications for the upcoming batch of PGP BL.  APPLY NOW.

Also Read: 

• Top 10 Compelling Reasons to Enrol in the PGP-BL Programme at IIM Kozhikode

• IIM Kozhikode Ranks #77 in Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023

Join the IIM K PGP-BL network to connect with current students and alumni, gaining direct insights into admission procedures, tuition fees, eligibility requirements, and other essential information: [OFFICIAL] IIM- Kozhikode PGP-BL Batch Admissions 2023-24 | PGP-BL 05 Batch (Post Graduate Programme in Business Leadership]