Hans News Service Bengaluru

TheIndian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and Tata Trusts on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the IIM Bangalore–Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies, as the institute’s new undergraduate programmes received 12,000 applications for the inaugural cohort of 80 students.

The first batch, comprising 40 students each in two four-year, full-time residential programmes, will commence on August 31.

The MoU formalises a philanthropic contribution by the Tata Trusts, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, towards the establishment and initial development of the School of Undergraduate Studies.

The support will include the creation of academic infrastructure as well as contributions to the School’s strategic direction, vision-setting, policy formulation and governance oversight.

The MoU was signed by Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and IIMB Board of Governors Chairperson Dr Devi Shetty in the presence of Tata Trusts CEO Siddharth Sharma and IIMB Director-in-charge Prof U Dinesh Kumar.

“For over a century, the Tata Trusts have seeded some of India’s most defining institutions that have influenced generations and continue to serve public good long after the initial investment,” Noel Tata said.

He said India’s next phase of growth would require institutions that could be ranked among the best in the world.

“Our partnership with IIM Bangalore reflects that approach. Through the IIMB-Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies, we hope to support an institution that can set new benchmarks for undergraduate education and make a lasting contribution to the country,” he said.

Dr Devi Shetty said the partnership would provide the School with a strong foundation to develop an ambitious model of multidisciplinary education.

“IIM Bangalore is a public institution of eminence with a distinguished history of creating transformative educational opportunities. Our partnership with the Tata Trusts, a name synonymous with integrity, nation-building and innovation for the public good, will provide the IIMB-Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies with a strong foundation,” he said.

The School is part of IIMB’s broader effort to expand its contribution to undergraduate education while maintaining the academic rigour and global orientation associated with its postgraduate programmes.

Located about 23 km from IIMB’s Bannerghatta Road campus in the Jigani-Anekal area, the School is being developed as a dedicated residential academic environment focused on interdisciplinary learning, research and innovation.

It will initially offer a BSc (Hons) in Data Sciences with a minor in Economics and a BSc (Hons) in Economics with a minor in Data Sciences.

The inaugural cohort of 80 students was selected from among 12,000 applicants, making the programmes highly competitive and bringing together students with strong academic and extracurricular profiles.

Tata Trusts CEO Siddharth Sharma said the rapid advances in technology, data and artificial intelligence had underscored the need for multidisciplinary education.