Hans News Service Bengaluru

AllianceUniversity inaugurated its MBA Batch of 2026–28 with a grand inaugural ceremony at its Central Campus on Thursday, welcoming a new cohort of future business leaders. The programme reflected the University’s vision of nurturing innovation-driven, socially responsible, and globally competent professionals equipped to lead in an evolving business landscape.

The ceremony commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by the University Invocation Song, symbolising the beginning of the students’ academic journey. The event was attended by the University’s leadership, distinguished industry experts, faculty members, and the newly admitted MBA students.

Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Ray Titus, Pro Vice-Chancellor – Innovation and Incubation and Dean, Alliance School of Business, traced the remarkable growth of the School of Business and reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and strong industry engagement. Speaking about the rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence, he observed that while technology will continue to reshape industries, the future will belong to individuals who demonstrate originality, creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to solve complex business challenges.

Delivering the inaugural address, Abhay G. Chebbi, Pro Chancellor, Alliance University, highlighted India’s emergence as a global innovation powerhouse, pointing to landmark initiatives such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the country’s thriving startup ecosystem. Encouraging students to maximise every learning opportunity, he urged them to move beyond classroom education, embrace experiential learning, and develop into ethical leaders and responsible citizens capable of creating meaningful impact in society.

Addressing the students, Dr. B. Priestly Shan, Vice-Chancellor, Alliance University, described the MBA programme as a transformative two-year journey that extends beyond academics. He encouraged students to cultivate curiosity, resilience, discipline, and a problem-solving mindset while leveraging the University’s transdisciplinary ecosystem spanning research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration. He also highlighted the institution’s vibrant startup ecosystem and its continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurial aspirations.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Jai Advani, Managing Director, PwC, who shared valuable insights from his professional journey. Emphasizing the growing influence of technology on businesses and careers, he encouraged students to remain adaptable, embrace lifelong learning, and invest in building strong professional relationships and networks that will support their future careers.

The ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks by Surekha Shetty, Registrar General, Alliance University. She encouraged the incoming students to make every day of their MBA journey meaningful by upholding the University’s values of excellence, integrity, innovation, and purposeful leadership while contributing positively to society.