Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli celebrated its Fourteenth Foundation Day on January 4, 2025, commemorating its journey of excellence, growth, and innovation in management education. The event featured Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director of IIM Bangalore, as the Chief Guest and Shri Gopi Thangavel, Group CIO of Larsen & Toubro and an alumnus of the EPLCM programme, as the Guest of Honour.
The ceremony began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Dr. Pawan Kumar Singh, Director of IIM Tiruchirappalli; Dr. P. Saravanan, Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Shri Gopi Thangavel and Dr. Godwin Tennyson, symbolising a bright future for the Institute.
Dr. P. Saravanan, Dean Corporate Relations & Faculty Affairs, extended greetings to the dignitaries and attendees when delivering the welcome address. He set the stage for the day, reflecting on the Institute's milestones and the vision for the future.
In his address, Dr Pawan Kumar Singh emphasised IIM Tiruchirappalli's journey, highlighting three distinct phases of growth: its formative years, the search for identity, and the current pursuit of a special purpose beyond its core mission. He expressed optimism about the path ahead, emphasising the Institute's focus on positivity and its aspiration to overcome infrastructure challenges by 2030. He wished for a "Happy Foundation Day" to students, colleagues, and the IIMT community.
The Guest of Honour, Shri Gopi Thangavel, shared his reflections on the importance of building networks as the foundation for personal and professional success, echoing the sentiment, "Your network is your net worth." He highlighted the Institute's impact, with alumni contributing across 35 countries and significantly to India's GDP. Encouraging students to embrace adaptability and perseverance, he concluded by expressing his hopes for more significant contributions from IIM Tiruchirappalli in the future.
The Chief Guest, Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, shared his experience of over 34 years in management education, emphasising the role of critical thinking and self-discipline cultivated through the case study method. Reflecting on the evolution of IIMs, he spoke about the importance of intellectual infrastructure and urged the audience to set ambitious goals and take on impactful challenges. He stressed the need for academic entrepreneurship and work to create long-term value, encouraging the community to address "satisfactory underperformance" and strive for excellence.
The event also celebrated the accomplishments of the IIMT community. Certificates were presented to the winners of the 'Best MAD (Make a Difference) Project' for the Batch 2023-2025, recognising their innovative solutions to societal challenges. Faculty and staff members who completed a decade of service were honoured for their dedication and contributions.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Godwin Tennyson, Dean Administration, followed by the national anthem, symbolising pride and unity as IIM Tiruchirappalli looks toward a promising future.