Bengaluru; November 12th, 2025: One of the premier B-Schools of India, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur, has signed a pact with the Retailers Association of India (RAI) to boost retail education, skill development, and research through a strong industry-academia partnership. The initiative aims to create a dynamic learning platform that enables students to understand the evolving retail landscape, gain practical exposure, and build competencies aligned with contemporary industry demands.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur and Dr. Lawrence Fernandes, Director Retail Learning & Member Relationship, RAI, in the presence of faculty members, students, and representatives from RAI.

Under this agreement, IIM Sambalpur will get academic membership from RAI, along with access to its vast industry network and participation in retail events such as the Retail Leadership Summit, ReTechCon, and the Retail HR Tech Summit. Additionally, RAI will support the organization of the Annual Retail Conclave at IIM Sambalpur and provide international exposure through curated visits and interactions with leading global retailers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “This partnership signifies a new era of brand in India concept in Indian management education to nurture responsible, skill-oriented, and innovative industry experience among business students. We believe management education must remain closely linked to real-world practice, and this MoU will enable our students to gain direct learning experiences from the retail industry.”

Kumar Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer, Retailers Association of India, remarked, “Retail in India is at a defining moment, growing rapidly, embracing technology, and creating new formats every day. Through this partnership with IIM Sambalpur, RAI continues its mission to bridge industry and academia, ensuring that future leaders are equipped with the skills, exposure, and mindset needed to shape modern retail. This collaboration is not just about education, but about co-creating pathways that strengthen India’s retail ecosystem and make it future-ready.”

The partnership underscores IIM Sambalpur’s commitment to developing industry-driven learning models and RAI’s dedication to advancing retail excellence through education and skill development. Together, the two institutions intend to create future-ready managers equipped to lead India’s vibrant retail sector toward sustained growth.

The post IIM Sambalpur Join Hands with Retailers Association of India To Strengthen Industry-Academia Collaboration appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

·         Courses starting from 04^th to 29^th September 2025.

·         These long-term, high-impact programs are designed for senior executives, mid-level managers, functional leaders, and decision-makers.

Bengaluru, 03^rd Sept, 2025: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, a leading institution recognized for #BuildingBusinessOwners continues its legacy of nurturing progressive leadership with the announcement of its upcoming Management Development Programs (MDPs) for September 2025. With a strong focus on leadership, innovation, digital transformation, and employee well-being, the institute will host 07 programmes under its Executive Education banner. These sessions are designed to equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge, strategic insights, and transformative skills needed in a fast-evolving business landscape.

These 7 MDPs span across key functional areas including Strategic Management, Information Systems, General Management, HRM & OB, and are curated by IIM Raipur’s esteemed faculty members.

The programs are designed to strengthen managerial capabilities in areas such as Innovation, Co-creation and Design Thinking to Leveraging ChatGPT for Business and Education, Digital Transformation, and Employee Well-Being through Leadership and Justice, while simultaneously fostering regulatory preparedness through the Labour Code Masterclass. Additionally, sector-focused modules in Healthcare Management and Business Analytics provide participants with specialized insights, ensuring a holistic engagement with innovation, compliance, and industry-specific knowledge essential for navigating the complexities of modern organizational environments.

Prof. Sanjeev Prashar, Director – in – charge, IIM Raipur shared his views “At IIM Raipur, we view executive education as a strategic investment in human capital one that shapes not just careers, but also the competitive future of organisations. Our September 2025 MDP line-up addresses the most pressing needs of today’s business ecosystem, be it harnessing AI through tools like ChatGPT, decoding new labour codes, or fostering leadership rooted in justice and well-being. These programs reflect our belief that high-impact learning must be timely, contextual, and future-ready. Backed by rigorous research and close industry engagement, each module is curated to help professionals lead with insight, agility, and purpose in an era of constant transformation.”

The post IIM Raipur Launches 7 Future-Focused MDPs on AI, Design Thinking & Leadership, This September appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

Bengaluru, August 9, 2025: In a landmark philanthropic initiative rooted in legacy and nation building, the Motilal Oswal Foundation (MOF) has committed ₹172 crore towards two of Chhattisgarh’s premier educational institutions, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur (₹101 crore) and the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Raipur (₹71 crore). The formal signing of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) was held today at DDU Auditorium, Raipur in the august presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma. Also present were Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Raipur constituency and Shri Rajesh Munat, Hon’ble MLA, Raipur (West), Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman NIT Raipur, Shri Puneet Dalmia, Chairman IIM Raipur, Dr. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director NIT Raipur, Dr. Sanjeev Prashar, Incharge Director IIM Raipur, IAS Dr. S. Bharthidasan, Secretary, Department of Skill Development along with Mr. Raamdeo Agrawal, senior officials from IIM Raipur, NIT Raipur, and the Government of Chhattisgarh.

This initiative, spearheaded by Mr. Raamdeo Agrawal, Chairman and Co-founder of Motilal Oswal Financial Services and Trustee of Motilal Oswal Foundation, is deeply personal. A proud native of Nagpura, a village near Raipur, Mr. Agrawal is giving back to the land of his birth and early education by investing in institutions that will define the region’s future.

The support to IIM Raipur will enable the construction of the “Agrawal Oswal Student Residence,” a 202-room hostel, and the “Dau Ram Gopal Agrawal Knowledge Centre,” an academic block named in memory of Mr. Agrawal’s late father. These additions are part of the institute’s expansion and will help increase the institute’s capacity from 500 to 1,200 students by 2030. The funding will also facilitate the launch of six international two-year dual degree MBA programs in collaboration with leading universities from the USA, UK, France, and Germany, enabling global education and preparing students from Bharat for international careers. It will help position IIM Raipur as an eminent institution in the top league.

At NIT Raipur, the Foundation is helping to establish the “Smt. Mithilesh Agrawal Centre of Excellence for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering and Technology” (MACIEET), named after Mr. Agrawal’s late mother. This initiative is being carried out in collaboration with NIT Raipur and the Government of Chhattisgarh. The centre will feature advanced laboratories focusing on AI, Robotics, Blockchain, IoT, and Clean Energy, along with facilities for prototyping, start-up incubation, and skill development. Its goal is to train over 10,000 young people, incubate over 250 start-ups, and generate 5,000 skilled jobs by 2030, aligning closely with the state’s key industrial sectors such as mining, iron, and steel. This will make NIT Raipur a centre of innovation.

Construction is scheduled to commence in FY2025-26, with both projects expected to be operational by FY2027-28. This philanthropic commitment by the Motilal Oswal Foundation supports the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by empowering India’s youth with access to global quality education, skill-building, and entrepreneurship opportunities. 

Mr. Raamdeo Agrawal, Trustee of Motilal Oswal Foundation, said, “Chhattisgarh is where my roots lie. As a farmer’s son, I grew up close to this land. This soil, its spirit, and its simplicity have shaped my values and my journey. My first steps in learning were taken here, and everything I could do in life draws strength from that foundation. Education opened doors I had never imagined, and I have seen how the right support at the right time can change the course of a life. This support to the IIM Raipur and NIT Raipur is life coming full circle for me where I have got an opportunity to support Chhattisgarh based Institutions of National Importance. My dream is to see world-class institutions rise from this region, offering young minds an environment where they feel inspired, supported, and confident to dream big.”

Mr. Motilal Oswal, Chairman of the Motilal Oswal Foundation, added, “This milestone is deeply personal for me. Raipur gave me a business partner and a lifelong friend, Raamdeo Agrawal, a son of this sacred soil. Our journey, spanning over 40 years, was built on shared values, trust, and the quiet force of compounding of effort, ideas, and intent. This contribution is a heartfelt tribute to the land that sowed the seeds of our growth. We hope these institutions will produce hundreds of students like Raamdeo to rise with confidence, purpose, and the courage to dream big.”

Shri Puneet Dalmia, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Raipur, said, “The support from the Motilal Oswal Foundation will expand capacity, deepen academic excellence, and offer global learning opportunities to students from across Bharat. This initiative empowers us to nurture a new generation of inclusive, impact-driven business leaders. We are proud to be part of the nation-building vision that places Institutions like IIM Raipur at the centre of India’s global ascent.”

Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman, Board of Governors, NIT Raipur, said, “This landmark tripartite collaboration is a powerful catalyst for progress, uniting philanthropy, government, and academia. The Smt. Mithilesh Agrawal Centre of Excellence is more than just a building; it’s the foundation for a new era of innovation in Central India. By fostering deep-tech research and nurturing an entrepreneurial spirit, we are creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that will empower our youth, strengthen our industries, and establish Chhattisgarh as a hub of technological advancement. This unique partnership serves as a powerful model for driving regional growth and national self-reliance.”

Dr. N. V. Ramana Rao, Director, NIT Raipur said, “The Smt. Mithilesh Agrawal Centre of Excellence is our commitment to building a ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’. This Centre will be the nexus of innovation for NIT Raipur and the entire region, directly serving Chhattisgarh’s core industries. Through our advanced labs in AI, Robotics, and Clean Energy, we will provide cutting-edge solutions, train over 10,000 professionals, and support 250 start-ups. We are creating a dynamic workforce and fostering industrial competitiveness, ensuring our academic strengths translates into tangible economic growth and a sustainable, technology-driven future.”

This initiative represents an investment in human potential, nurturing dreams and empowering the promise of a stronger, more inclusive India that grows from every part of the nation, including the very land that shaped Mr. Raamdeo Agrawal’s journey.

The post Motilal Oswal Foundation Commits ₹172 Crore to IIM Raipur and NIT Raipur, Empowering Chhattisgarh’s Rise as an Education and Innovation Hub appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

·         Courses starting from 12^th July 2025 to 1^th Sep 2025.

·         These short-term, high-impact programs are designed for mid to senior-level professionals, team leaders, functional heads, and decision-makers.

Bengaluru, 9^th July 2025: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, a leading institution recognized for #BuildingBusinessOwners continues its legacy of nurturing progressive leadership with the announcement of its upcoming Management Development Programs (MDPs) for July and August 2025. With a keen focus on real-world relevance, digital transformation, and leadership effectiveness, these programs are tailored for professionals seeking to gain strategic insights and practical tools for today’s dynamic business landscape.

The curriculum will focus on critical domains such as Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour, and Information Systems, covering emerging areas like artificial intelligence for business decisions, and leadership skills. These 2 MDPs will be conducted by IIM Raipur’s esteemed faculty members, blending academic rigour with industry relevance. Each program is meticulously designed to address the evolving needs of professionals and organizations, providing actionable insights and future-ready skills.

Prof. Ram Kumar Kakani, Director, IIM Raipur shared his views “Leadership today isn’t about knowing all the answers, it’s about asking the questions no algorithm can. At IIM Raipur, our MDPs are designed for professionals who are not just upgrading their skillsets but rewiring how they think. We don’t deliver lectures; we build laboratories of thought, where data, insight, and decision-making collide in real time. Whether it’s decoding AI, or redefining managerial effectiveness, our goal is simple: create leaders who don’t wait for change but lead it.”

These programs offer a valuable platform for professionals to engage with leading academicians, gain industry-relevant knowledge, and develop a strategic mindset. With a strong emphasis on real-world application, participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences, live case discussions, and interactive sessions, ensuring practical takeaways that can be implemented immediately in their workplace.

The post IIM Raipur launches MDP’s for July & August to Redefine Managerial Mastery appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

New Delhi, 28th August 2024 – Researchers from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, and SP Jain Institute of Management & Research recently published a joint report, which objectively concludes that the effect of the user’s skill is significantly more than that of chance, in determining the winnability in a fantasy sports contest. The study, “Decision Support System for Policy-Making: Quantifying Skill and Chance in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)”, further proposes a data-driven approach to determine, through empirical evidence, whether any game is a game of skill or chance.

This is the second paper by Professor U Dinesh Kumar, which focuses on studying the statistical aspects of online games. This study goes beyond measuring the effect of skill and chance on a user’s performance. Also, it focuses on quantifying several other indicators of skill, such as the effect of user’s past performance, experience and recent participation, which have not been studied previously. 

This peer-reviewed study offers an integrated decision support framework that:

• Evaluates the relative importance of skill and chance,
• Studies a contestant’s observed and unobserved characteristics,
• Tests for other indicators of skill,
• It can be replicated in other games, subject to data availability.

The framework proposed in the study can help policymakers adopt a more science-oriented and quantitative approach to resolving the ongoing debate on skill and chance. The lack of such a standardized and objective approach to evaluating online games has led to inconsistencies in regulation and hurt the ease of doing business for legitimate gaming companies in India.

By analyzing performance data, the study helps identify how much of a player’s success is due to their skill and how much depends on chance, providing a clear picture of what drives success in fantasy sports. By analyzing users’ performances across 2,951 matches and 160,000 contests, the study concludes that the effect of users’ skill is significantly more than that of chance in determining winnability in fantasy sports. The study also quantifies other indicators of skill, like user’s past performance, experience and recent participation and finds that these significantly affect their performance in fantasy sports contests.

U. Dinesh Kumar,Professor, IIMB,emphasized the significance of these findings: “ This  research  provides  a decision support system that can allow policymakers to objectively and quantitatively differentiate between games of skill and chance. The framework proposed in the study can be replicated for any online game, subject to data availability. We believe that such frameworks are key to formulating regulations based on data science and better suited to address the challenges stemming from emerging technologies and new age sectors, such as online gaming.”

Key findings from the study include:

• Experience improves winnability: There is a positive correlation between users’ experience and winning consistency, i.e., users with more experience exhibit higher winnability in fantasy sports contests.
  • This indicates that users learn from experience and improve their future performances. In a game of chance, on the other hand, experience will not affect a user’s winnability.
• Consistent high-performers fare better: Users who consistently performed well in the past also perform better in the current fantasy sports contests.
  • This indicates that users’ capabilities matter in fantasy sports contests. In a game of chance, on the other hand, past performances would not determine a user’s present performance.
• Recency positively affects winnability: Users who participated recently in fantasy sports contests exhibit higher winnability.
  • This indicates that the score gap increases with an increasing number of days since the users’ last participation, i.e., users who participated recently exhibit higher winnability. This is also consistent with the concept of skill depreciation used in human capital theory.
• Choice of contest influences relative performance
• The variance of unobserved skill is higher than the variance of chance: The study found that the unobserved components of skill play a far greater role in determining winnability than pure random shocks.

Authors: 

• Dr. U Dinesh Kumar is a Professor in the Decision Sciences area at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB). He is also the Chairperson of IIMB’s Data Centre and Analytics Lab (DCAL).
• Dr. Aishvarya is an Assistant Professor in the Information Management & Analytics area at the S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai.
• Dr. Tirthatanmoy Das is an Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Economics area at the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB).

The post Predominance of Skill in Determining Winning Outcome in Fantasy Sports: A Statistical Report by IIM Bangalore Professors  appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.