Director Prof. Himanshu Rai discussed IIM Indore's transformation from a fledgling management school in central India to a worldwide renowned institution in his Foundation Day speech. He underlined the importance of staying the course and having a purpose rather than fleeting fame.

At IIM Indore, They path is guided by the mind, body and spirit. The mind drives inquiry and invention the body executes the ideas and the soul connects us to our purpose and beliefs. They work in sync so that we seek significance and not only success, Prof Rai said.

That achievement he said is mirrored in IIM Indore's growing global reach. According to the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings 2025, the institute is now ranked 69th in the world, fourth in India and within the top 40 globally on LinkedIn MBA. These accolades he said represent a cooperative effort for a shared objective.

The event also recognised persons who had worked to achieve that objective. Prof. Prashant Salwan received the Best Teacher Award 2024 for his outstanding instruction, while Prof. Ganesh Nidugala received the Best Case Award for his work on the 2013 Indian Rupee Crisis. For his creative and excellent instruction, Professor Sanjeev Tripathi received the Best Teaching Innovation Award.

Prof. Shrihari S. Sohani, Prof. Manoj Motiani, Prof. Bhavin J. Shah, Prof. Saumya Ranjan Dash, Prof. Harshal Lowalekar and Prof. Jatin Pandey are among the top 5% of faculty members based on student feedback, demonstrating the institute's emphasis on academic reputation and student satisfaction.

The institute's employees were also given equal recognition. Employees with 10, 20 and 25 years of devoted work received long-service medals, while Kamlesh Bhatia, Anurag Kumar Rai, Shyam Rao and Satendra Singh Rawat received Best Employee honours.

The Foundation Day gave a peek into the future of IIM Indore. Some of the events lined up are an International Partners' Day to reinforce worldwide partnerships the Sport and Business Conference 2.0 on October 9-10 to talk about India's preparedness to host the 2036 Olympics and the 18th All India Conference of China Studies in a few weeks from now which will study trade, technology and sustainability in a multipolar world.

The year will close with the 18th Eduniversal World Convention, where international educators will gather and reaffirm IIM Indore's status as a thought leader in management education.

As the institute approaches its 30th year, the message from its 29th Foundation Day was clear IIM Indore is committed to producing leaders who are knowledgeable and morally upright, proud of its history and hopeful about the future.