Mumbai: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the US-based accreditation body, has named SPJIMR as one of the 35 innovative global schools for engaging a diverse community through its innovative Post Graduate Management Programme for Women (PGMPW).

This is the second consecutive year that SPJIMR is the only B-School from India that has been named among select global schools noted for ‘Innovations That Inspire’. The citation this year came to SPJIMR for its innovative academic initiative, the PGMPW, which launched its maiden batch of 20 women participants earlier in the year. The programme is designed to meet the needs of women leaders and managers who are ready to return to their careers after a break.

“With great pleasure, I am thrilled to recognise SPJIMR for its role in driving innovation in business education and fostering positive change in the areas of diversity and global economic prosperity,” said Tom R. Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer of AACSB International.

“Through meaningful ideas and increasing opportunities for engagement, SPJIMR has created a remarkable impact, to ensure a better and more connected world for many years to come,” added Tom R. Robinson.

AACSB received a pool of 315 submissions, spanning 33 countries and 188 institutions. It picked SPJIMR and 34 other innovative schools to be applauded for the remarkable efforts underway to transform business education for the betterment of all.

The innovative schools were cited under three categories: Engagement Across Disciplines, Engagement With Business and Engaging A Diverse Community.

SPJIMR earned the citation under the category ‘Engaging A Diverse Community’ for the PGMPW, a programme that includes personalised mentoring and intensive industry partnerships to prepare talented Indian women, who have taken a mid-career break, to return to leadership positions.

As AACSB put it, “We highlight outstanding schools that challenge the status quo through forward looking curriculum that prepares the future leaders of tomorrow while tackling the most pressing challenges of today.”

Dr. Ranjan Banerjee, SPJIMR Dean said, “We are trying to make a difference in the important aspect of building women leaders of tomorrow. The award is a timely recognition of the dedication and creativity of our faculty and staff.”

AACSB says it connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal of creating the next generation of great leaders. Since 1916, AACSB has been providing quality assurance, business education intelligence and professional development services to more than 785 accredited business schools worldwide.