Mr. Gopal Shukla, who is the CEO of the IITB - Wash U Joint EMBA program, inaugurated the function, welcoming all the faculty, students, dignitaries and guests. He also stressed the importance of this new batch and all the learning that was to happen.

The Chief Guest for this function was Mr. Aspi Patel, Chief Technology Officer at Aditya Birla Group, who spoke about the significance of learning, strategic thinkin and global leadership in the business scenario.

The event included speeches by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, along with senior faculty at IIT Bombay and delegates from Washington University in St. Louis, including Prof. Mike Mazzeo, Dean of Olin Business School and Prof. Markus Baer, Vice Dean of Executive Education.

The strong legacy, the academic depth of the joint program, its role in the development of senior leaders across industries-the speakers underscored it all. Embrace the rigors of the curriculum and take advantage of all the international exposure available through the program.

According to Prof. Shireesh Kedare, the program prepares leaders to lead through rapid technology changes and uncertainty with clarity and purpose. Mr. Aspi Patel exhorted participants thus Create learning by engaging, innovating and building an interdisciplinary perspective for long-term impact.

Prof. Mike Mazzeo said that the program is a strong blend of the powers of two leading global institutions to provide practical and globally relevant learning. Prof. Dinesh Sharma said that through this program, Agile Leaders are targeted for development as it aspires to enter into the global top-five rankings in EMBA.

The 11th batch features experienced executives from diverse industry backgrounds such as technology, manufacturing, finance, consulting, energy, pharmaceuticals and consumer organisations. The batch has an average work experience of 17 years.

The EMBA program is a joint initiative of the Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management of the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and the Olin Business School of Washington University of St. Louis. The advantages of the program include interactions with global faculties, an international immersion program, and exposure to best management practices.

The program was then concluded with a closure that had closing remarks where participants were encouraged to be focused during the next 18 months and lastly, the team took a group photograph, marking the official beginning of Batch 11.