IIM Bangalore Launches BBA in Digital Business and Entrepreneurship

The session included notable figures such as IIM Bangalore Director Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan; K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Government of India; Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Health; Mukesh Bansal, CEO of Curefit and Founder of Meraki Labs; Professor Vasanthi Srinivasan from the OB&HRM area; and Professor Suresh Bhagavatula from the Entrepreneurship area, who also chairs the BBA DBE programme. Together, they addressed the inaugural cohort of over 1,000 students.

In his opening address, Professor Krishnan reflected on IIMB’s decade-long expertise in digital education, stating, “Our goal is to extend high-quality education to undergraduate students nationwide.” He highlighted the necessity of merging traditional business management principles with the growing demands of digital businesses, ensuring an enriching and interactive learning experience for the students.

K Sanjay Murthy, in his keynote speech, articulated the government’s vision for digital education, praising platforms like SWAYAM for democratizing access to educational resources. He emphasised IIMB’s critical role as a National Coordinator in this initiative, underlining the importance of institutions that can lead in digital education.

Dr Devi Shetty celebrated the programme’s launch as a vital step towards making higher education more accessible in India. He remarked, “In an era where education has become elitist, IIMB’s new programme opens doors for students who previously could only dream of such opportunities.” He further stressed that graduates equipped with digital skills and an IIMB degree would be highly sought after in the job market.

Mukesh Bansal discussed the transformative potential of the BBA DBE programme, stating that it could revolutionise education by maintaining high standards while ensuring accessibility. Drawing on his e-commerce experience, he emphasised the need for students to understand consumer behaviour from a digital-native perspective and encouraged them to take ownership of their learning journey.

Professor Vasanthi Srinivasan highlighted four essential competencies for future-ready learners: critical thinking, collaborative learning, digital literacy, and communication. She noted that IIMB’s digital platforms provide more than just educational content; they also equip students with vital digital and life skills.

Professor Suresh Bhagavatula detailed the programme’s focus on integrating digital awareness with core business skills. “Our aim is to prepare students for a digitally-driven world,” he said, elaborating on the curriculum’s structure. He explained that 30% of the content focuses on emerging digital business technologies, another 30% covers core business topics like finance, operations, and marketing, while also emphasising an entrepreneurial mindset.

The BBA DBE programme combines pre-recorded course content with live sessions and offline exams, featuring community-building through internships and projects with NSRCEL, one of India’s leading business incubators. Professor Bhagavatula pointed out that the programme offers flexible exit options and engaging content, all while adhering to UGC and national guidelines.

In his closing remarks, Professor Bhagavatula reinforced IIMB’s commitment to “developing the right talent to drive unprecedented digital transformations.” With the launch of the BBA DBE programme, IIM Bangalore is poised to shape the future of undergraduate education and empower the next generation of digital entrepreneurs.

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