The new academic session 2024-26 at XLRI Jamshedpur began with an introduction session for 551 students, revealing a significant shift in admission trends. Historically, engineering graduates have dominated the two-year management courses at XLRI. However, this year marks a notable change, especially in the Human Resource Management (HRM) program, where for the first time, 50 percent of the students are from non-engineering backgrounds. This shift challenges the long-standing trend of engineering dominance in these courses.
In the Business Management (BM) program, 55 percent of the students come from engineering backgrounds, while 45 percent are from non-engineering fields. This diverse mix indicates a broadening academic profile among the incoming students.
The inaugural session for the new academic year took place in the Tata Auditorium of XLRI on Monday. The event was attended by the new students from various programs, including Business Management, Human Resource Management, and Fellow Programme in Management (FPM), along with their parents, faculty members, and non-teaching staff.
The ceremony began with a lamp-lighting ritual led by XLRI Director Father S George SJ, Dean of Administration and Finance Father Donald D'Silva SJ, and Dean of Academics Prof. Sanjay Patro. Dean Patro delivered the welcome address, followed by a prayer from Father D'Silva. In his address, Director Father S George SJ encouraged the students to embark on a transformative journey, emphasizing the pursuit of truth and knowledge. He urged them to ignite an inner light and strive for excellence, stating, "XLRI is a passion, and you have made the right choice by being part of this journey."
The event also highlighted XLRI's commitment to maintaining a balanced gender ratio. Historically, XLRI has been a pioneer in women's management education in India. As a Jesuit institution with strong values, XLRI ensures respect, safety, and empowerment for all women on campus.
Student Demographics: PGDM (BM): 236 students (31% female, 69% male, 55% engineering background), PGDM (HRM): 180 students (59% female, 41% male, 50% engineering background), PGDM (GM): 112 students (30% female, 70% male, 79% engineering background).
The session's inauguration highlighted the evolving demographic of XLRI's student body, showcasing a balanced mix of engineering and non-engineering backgrounds and emphasizing the institute's dedication to diversity and inclusivity in management education.
The academic inaugural event was then followed by an ice-breaking event where all the students had participated and several games/activities were conducted. This two-hour event was a complete refreshment and made all the students interact comfortably with each other.
The new students were then taken through a Special Orientation Programme drawn up by XLRI to update their knowledge before regular classes commenced.
