IIMA invites applications for 25th general management programme cohort

The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) has opened admissions for the 25th cohort of its General Management Programme (GMP), a nine-month executive education programme for mid- and senior-level professionals across India, South Asia, the Middle East, the GCC and Europe.

Approved by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai, the programme combines online learning with classroom sessions at IIMA’s Dubai and Ahmedabad campuses. The 25th cohort follows 24 previous cohorts that have brought together professionals from different industries and geographies.

Participants attend 100 sessions, including 60 live online sessions and 40 face-to-face sessions delivered during a 10-day campus immersion across Dubai and Ahmedabad. The curriculum covers cross-functional management, leadership, strategy, technology, artificial intelligence and analytics, along with finance, marketing, operations, human resources and organisational design.

The programme begins with foundational concepts in economics, accounting, organisational behaviour, technology and decision-making before progressing to competitive strategy, business-model innovation, entrepreneurship, governance and leadership. Contemporary areas include AI and machine learning, analytics, digital transformation, change management, ethics, sustainability and stakeholder management.

Speaking about the 25th cohort, Prof. Sunil Sharma, Dean, IIMA – Dubai Campus, said senior leadership increasingly requires professionals to connect strategy, technology, people and performance while making decisions amid uncertainty. He said the programme is intended to help experienced executives broaden their managerial perspective and examine complex organisational issues.

The learning format includes live online classes, peer discussions, assignments and a capstone project designed to connect management concepts with workplace situations. Participants also examine around 40–50 business cases covering different industries and functions, including cases from IIM Ahmedabad and Harvard.

Previous cohorts have included professionals with eight to more than 25 years of experience from countries such as the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the United States and Canada. Participants have worked in areas including supply chain, marketing, sales, finance, accounting, investment, customer support and business development, with roles ranging from managers to directors, vice presidents, CXOs and business heads.

The programme follows a Prepare–Learn–Reflect–Apply approach, encouraging participants to connect learning interventions with workplace challenges. Those who complete the programme receive an IIM Ahmedabad Certificate of Completion and IIMA alumni status. Admissions for the 25th cohort are currently open.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Hans India