Governor of Haryana Visits IIM Rohtak, Applauds Director Dr. Dheeraj Sharma for Transformational Leadership

The Indian Institute of Management Rohtak (IIM Rohtak) had the honour of hosting His Excellency Bandaru Dattatreya, the Governor of Haryana, for a special address and interaction with students and faculty. The visit marked a milestone in the institution’s journey, showcasing its academic progress and community impact under the leadership of Dr. Dheeraj Sharma, Director of IIM Rohtak.

Dr. Dheeraj Sharma, a distinguished academic and visionary leader, welcomed the Governor along with the faculty and staff. He expressed profound gratitude and highlighted the significance of the Governor's visit to an institution of national importance. In his welcome address, Dr. Sharma emphasized IIM Rohtak’s commitment to nation-building through research, policy support, and societal engagement.

The Governor reviewed detailed presentations by various student bodies that covered IIM Rohtak's academic programmes, research output, consulting projects, and student-driven initiatives. He was particularly impressed by the institution’s flagship PGP programme, which holds AMBA accreditation and has earned IIM Rohtak global recognition, including a QS World University Ranking of 151+ in 2024 and the 12th position in the NIRF India Rankings 2023.

Dr. Dheeraj Sharma underlined the institute’s role as a research arm for the State of Haryana and the Government of India. He showcased impactful work, including assessments and consultancy services for governmental agencies. He also highlighted the success of IIM Rohtak’s alumni—both MBA and doctoral—who now serve in prestigious academic and corporate roles, including other IIMs and major government bodies.

The Governor praised the leadership of Dr. Dheeraj Sharma for steering IIM Rohtak toward academic excellence and societal contribution. Governor Dattatreya commended the institute for its holistic approach to education, including its integration of Yoga sessions into the curriculum to enhance student well-being. He interacted warmly with students, inquiring about their academic and extracurricular activities, and encouraged them to actively participate in co-curricular and physical engagements for better physical and mental fitness.

Highlighting the importance of technological readiness, Governor Dattatreya stressed the need to prepare students for future job markets driven by AI, AR, machine learning, and data science. He projected that India could potentially secure two crore of the anticipated three crore global technical jobs by 2030. He inspired IIM Rohtak students to be part of this emerging workforce.

The Governor also urged students to embrace value-based education, learn from failures, and develop curiosity-driven research skills. Recalling the perseverance of Thomas Edison and the visionary thoughts of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he encouraged the students to adopt a mindset of "simple living and high thinking."

Dr. Dheeraj Sharma’s emphasis on ethical values, research excellence, and inclusivity has positioned IIM Rohtak as a beacon of progressive management education. With over 1500 students, more than 70% female representation in the last three years, and student diversity from across 30 states and union territories, the institute reflects India’s multicultural academic future.

The visit concluded on a high note, with the Governor extending his heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Dheeraj Sharma and the entire IIM Rohtak community. His inspirational address served as a motivating force for students to aspire for excellence while remaining grounded in values and service.