The Indian Institute of Management Jammu inaugurated the Advanced Management Development Programme under the Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programme (ESDP) of the Development Commissioner MSME, Government of India, at its Jagti Campus. The five-day residential programme, being conducted from 23rd to 27th February 2026, has brought together 35 participants from Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Punjab. The cohort comprises existing entrepreneurs committed to scaling their enterprises and contributing to regional and national economic growth. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty & Research, IIM Jammu. The inaugural ceremony was also graced by Prof. Prashant Mishra, Chairperson, Executive Education & Consultancy (EE&C) and Programme Director, and Dr. Ramswarup Bhaskar, Programme Director.

Addressing the participants, Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty & Research, IIM Jammu, extended a warm welcome to the cohort and reaffirmed IIM Jammu’s unwavering commitment to positioning entrepreneurship at the heart of nation-building. He underscored the Institute’s larger mandate of shaping job creators rather than job seekers, thereby strengthening a resilient and innovation-driven entrepreneurial ecosystem. He acknowledged the steadfast support of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and highlighted key initiatives undertaken by IIM Jammu, including the establishment of 20 Small Business Development Units (SBDUs) at the district level, youth-centric missions, business accelerator programmes, the Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF), and STEM-led innovation initiatives. Encouraging participants to immerse themselves fully in the programme, he emphasized the transformative power of peer learning, collaboration, and co-creation. He noted that the most enduring partnerships and sustainable ventures often emerge from meaningful dialogue and shared experiences beyond the classroom.

In his address, Prof. Prashant Mishra, Chairperson, Executive Education & Consultancy (EE&C) and Programme Director, IIM Jamu underlined that the programme is designed not only to impart knowledge but also to facilitate mutual learning. He provided an overview of the Executive Education & Consultancy (EE&C) vertical and outlined the structure of the five-day programme. Encouraging interactive and outcome-oriented sessions, he highlighted that IIM Jammu conducts numerous programmes annually for Govt. of India, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, PSUs, corporates, and private organizations. He reaffirmed that Executive Education and Consultancy, IIM Jammu continues to evolve as a centre of excellence committed to strengthening leadership and entrepreneurial capabilities while facilitating meaningful networking and long-term professional linkages.

The session witnessed participants sharing their introductions and expectations. The inaugural programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Program Director Dr. Ramswarup Bhaskar, followed by the National Anthem.

The outreach and initial engagements with MSMEs across India for the programme were facilitated by Dr. Atanu Dutta, Officer (I/c) for the Advanced MDPs at IIM Jammu. It is being coordinated by the Executive Education & Consultancy Office of IIM Jammu. The Advanced Management Development Programme aims to equip entrepreneurs with strategic insights, managerial competencies, and collaborative networks to accelerate enterprise growth and contribute effectively to India’s MSME ecosystem.