Attending as chief guest at the second annual convocation of the International Management Institute (IMI) here on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik advised students to use management skills for benefit of society and take advantage of the people-friendly economic policies of the Government for development of the State.
“The State GDP has grown and now Odisha is ranked 14th. The State’s social parameters have improved in all aspects and now Odisha is a major destination for FDI investment,” Patnaik said. He blessed the institute to grow into a top global management institute and take lead in contributing to the cause of management education and promoting quality education in eastern India. Higher Education Minister Pradeep Kumar Panigrahy congratulated the graduating students and advised them to devote themselves for the cause of economic progress.
He acknowledged the institute’s high quality of training and definite impact in the area of management. He advised that IMI, Bhubaneswar should continue its excellent working culture and contribute to the cause of Odisha, while extending all possible support for such initiatives. On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented the Dr Rama Prasad Goenka Best Graduate Award and Gold Medal to Jubin Joseph for his outstanding performance in the PGDM batch 2012-14. At the outset, IMI Bhubaneswar director Prof Ramesh Behl delivered the welcome address and presented the annual academic report of the institute. Institute’s director general Padmashree Bakul Dholakia addressed the gathering and conferred diplomas to the graduating batch.
The Director’s Medal for overall contribution to the institute was given to Bibhu Prasad Rath. Among others, guests MPs Prasanna Kumar Patsani and Pinaki Misra were present.
Over 300 dignitaries from academia, senior Government officials and leaders from the corporate sectors along with the members of Board of Governors of the IMI, Bhubaneswar as well as the parents of the graduating students attended.