Viraj Modi Becomes First Recipient; Scholarship to Recognize Academic Excellence in PGP Programme
- BILKULONLINE
- By Nabeel Quadri
Ahmedabad, June 28: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) hosted the inaugural award ceremony of the ‘Professor Jaswant G. Krishnayya Merit Scholarship’, a prestigious new academic award instituted by Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys and Catamaran, and former Chairperson of IIMA’s Board of Governors.
This merit-based scholarship honours Professor Jaswant G. Krishnayya, a founding faculty member and visionary in computer science, decision sciences, and management systems at IIMA. The award reflects his lifelong commitment to academic excellence and institution-building.
Scholarship Details: A 20-Year Commitment to Excellence
Funded by Narayana Murthy for a period of 20 years, this full-fee, inflation-protected scholarship will be awarded annually to the top-performing first-year student of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) at IIMA. It covers tuition fees, hostel accommodation, course materials, and mess charges for the entire two-year programme.
First Awardee: Viraj Modi of PGP Batch 2024–2026
At the ceremony held at IIMA’s Ravi J. Mathai Auditorium, Narayana Murthy and Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIMA, presented the inaugural scholarship and memento to Viraj Modi, who secured the highest CGPA in PGP-1.
Viraj Modi remarked, “Receiving this scholarship is a humbling moment and a source of immense encouragement. It motivates me to uphold the values of integrity, impact, and academic excellence.”
Celebrating a Legacy
Reflecting on the occasion, Narayana Murthy said, “This scholarship is not just a tribute to a great teacher, but a way to pass forward the values he stood for — intellectual discipline, curiosity, and humility. I hope this initiative inspires others to honour those who shaped their journeys.”
Professor Bharat Bhasker added, “It is deeply moving to witness a former student honouring his mentor through such a lasting initiative. Professor Krishnayya was a pioneer in computing and systems thinking at IIMA. This gesture fortifies the academic values that shaped Narayana Murthy’s own journey.”
Thought Leadership and Reflections
The evening featured:
A fireside chat between Narayana Murthy and Professor Bhasker, moderated by MD Ranganath, Chairman, Catamaran, and IIMA alumnus (PGP 1991), offering reflections on leadership and organisational excellence.
A pre-recorded conversation between Professor Krishnayya and MD Ranganath, providing a glimpse into the professor’s legacy and vision.
Reflections from Professor Subhash Bhatnagar, IIMA alumnus (PGP 1970) and former faculty member, on his association with Professor Krishnayya.
A Vision for the Future
The initiative was facilitated by the IIM Ahmedabad Endowment Fund (IIMAEF), led by CEO Chhavi Moodgal, and aligns with IIMAEF’s mission to build long-term support for scholarships, research, and global outreach at IIMA.
The presence of IIMA’s leadership, alumni, faculty, and students at the event marked a collective commitment to upholding the values of academic excellence and institutional legacy.
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