Tue Jul 15 04:49:25 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
**Headline: IIM Bangalore Director Reflects on Tenure Marked by Pandemic Response, Online Expansion**
**Bangalore, July 15, 2025:** As his term concludes on July 19, 2025, Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), reflects on a tenure largely shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant push towards online education and inclusivity.
Krishnan, who took over the helm of IIMB in 2020, told The Hindu that the initial years were dominated by navigating the challenges of the pandemic, ensuring smooth academic operations and timely graduation and placements for students, despite widespread restrictions.
From 2022, the focus shifted to expanding IIMB’s online learning initiatives. A key achievement, according to Krishnan, was the launch of the AI for Managers programme, followed by the introduction of an undergraduate BBA programme. Krishnan expressed particular pride in the BBA program, emphasizing its potential to provide quality education to students who might otherwise be excluded, thanks to generous scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities.
Looking back, Krishnan said the pandemic accelerated the acceptance of online communication and highlighted the need for institutions to be agile and adaptable. While he acknowledged the challenges in bureaucratic processes related to construction, he noted the relative freedom premier institutions like IIMs enjoy in designing and launching academic programs.
When envisioning IIMB’s future, Krishnan hopes to see the institution solidify its undergraduate programs, enhance its international branding and visibility, and lead in integrating technology with teaching and learning. He emphasized the importance of continuing IIMB’s tradition of proactively responding to evolving environmental demands with innovative initiatives.
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