Expressnews
Chennai, May 2025: The Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai, commenced its academic year for the Post Graduate Program in Management (PGPM) Class of 2026 with an inspiring inaugural address by Shri P. Chidambaram, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Former Union Minister of Finance and Home Affairs, Government of India. Addressing the inaugural keynote, Shri Chidambaram underscored values of resilience and service. He urged individuals and organizations to embrace change while aligning their pursuits with the broader good of society.
“Be open to change, it will happen. You can either acknowledge and embrace change, upskill yourself, or let change defeat you. Many of you will aspire to join giant corporations but eventually all avenues in life shall lead to serving the society” said Shri P Chidambaram, highlighting the critical role of adaptability in today’s dynamic world. His words served not just as advice but as a call to action, urging students to remain agile, continuously evolve, and lead with foresight in an ever-changing landscape.
The Class of 2026 represents an impressive cohort of professionals from diverse industries, including technology, consulting, manufacturing, law, architecture, and the armed forces. With an average experience of over three years, the cohort brings together talent from more than 100 companies across over 20 Indian states.
Dr. Debashish Sanyal, Director – Great Lakes, Chennai, remarked on the occasion: “The PGPM Class of 2026 is not just diverse in where they come from, but in how they think and what they aspire to become.” Commenting on Shri P. Chidambaram’s Keynote Address, Dr. Sanyal remarked, “His reflections on learning, leadership, and public service were a powerful reminder of the responsibilities that come with influence.”
The inauguration also introduced students to the program’s revamped curriculum, which includes the Impact Skills Lab, Innovation Sandbox, and other industry-synced role-basedmodules aimed at building future-ready leaders. With this launch, the PGPM Class of 2026 embarks on a transformative year anchored in rigor, relevance, and reflection.
