70 students graduated with PGD-ABA at the Special Convocation of IIMA
Ashank Desai, Principal Founder and Chairman of Mastek and an IIMA alumnus, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest
The graduating PGD-ABA batch comprises a diversified group of students from various industries, including IT & IT-enabled Services, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, and Retail and E-Commerce, among others
BILKULONLINE
Ahmedabad, April 17: A total of 70 students were awarded their Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Business Analytics (PGD-ABA) at a special convocation ceremony organised for the programme at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) on Wednesday.
Ashank Desai, Principal Founder and Chairman of Mastek and an IIMA alumnus, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and awarded the diplomas to programme participants. He was joined on the stage by Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA; members of the Board of Governors; and faculty members of the Institute.
The PGD-ABA is a 16-month diploma programme offered by IIM Ahmedabad in blended mode. It is designed with a mix of on-campus classroom sessions, online sessions, and project work to help working professionals acquire essential skills and knowledge of advanced data analytics and insight to drive key business decisions while continuing their careers.
The graduating PGD-ABA batch of 2023-24 comprises students from a rich diversity of industries, including IT & IT-enabled Services, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Retail and E-Commerce, Consulting, Energy and Utilities, and Manufacturing / Engineering, among others. The graduating batch will now be a part of the IIMA’s prestigious alumni group.
In an inspiring address to the graduating class, Ashank Desai, Principal Founder and Chairman of Mastek, a global digital & cloud transformation company, shared lessons from his own life and entrepreneurial journey. He urged the students to be part of the solution and not the problem, nurture relationships, and act with a sense of responsibility.
Highlighting the evolving landscape of analytics, he also spoke about the emergence of Agentic AI. Desai said, “Industries like consumer marketing, clinical trials, telecom, social media — they are all seeking people who can turn noise into insights. That is where you come in. From roles like Data Analysts, Business Intelligence Professionals, to Product Managers and Decision Scientists — you have an expansive runway ahead. But remember — analytics is changing fast. You have heard of ChatGPT and Large Language Models, but we are entering a new wave called Agentic AI. Agentic AI is not just about passive insights — it autonomously makes decisions, plans, and takes actions. It doesn’t replace you; it augments you. The age of Agentic AI is not coming — it’s here. And you are the vanguard.”
He added, “Success belongs to those who raise their hands to own challenges. Be the person who contributes, collaborates, and builds. And today, you are stepping into a world that desperately needs solutions — especially in the space you have trained for: Advanced Analytics.”
Delivering the concluding address, Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIMA, said, “As the volume and variety of data continues to grow, the ability to analyse and interpret this information effectively will be a key differentiator for successful organisations. To navigate this shift, today’s leaders must develop a new skillset – one that combines business acumen with analytical thinking. Leadership today is not only about setting a vision but also about making evidence-based decisions, using data ethically, and fostering a culture of innovation.”
Underlining the need to use data ethically, Professor Bhasker further added, “What makes advanced data analytics truly powerful is its cross-functional impact. It demands more than just technical expertise. It requires a strong sense of responsibility- to use data with integrity, challenge assumptions, and ensure that the insights we generate serve both people and purpose. As graduates of this programme, you are ready to not just keep up but lead the way. You are the ones who will bridge the gap between technology and business.”
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