What Happened

IILM University, Greater Noida welcomed the Undergraduate Batch of 2026 through Deeksharambh 2026, its flagship orientation programme. The event brought together nearly 1,000+ students and parents for a day designed to introduce the University’s academic vision, entrepreneurial ecosystem, global opportunities, and student-first learning philosophy.

The day opened with an inaugural address by Vice Chancellor Dr Jayasankar Variyar, followed by a keynote from Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr Nihar Amoncar on preparing students for careers of the future. A dedicated session on youth mental health addressed student wellbeing, while an interactive town hall gave students and parents a transparent look at academic life, placements, and campus culture. The undisputed highlight was a fireside chat with Aman Gupta, Co-Founder of boAt, on entrepreneurship and risk-taking. The programme closed with SafeStart, a hands-on emergency preparedness initiative covering CPR, Basic Life Support, and a medical camp.

Event Gallery

Speakers’ Quotes

"If you want to start a business, go work for a competitor first. Learn the industry from the inside before building your own venture." Speaking with Manika Raikwar, COO, IILM University Gurugram, in the fireside chat "Darr Ke Aage Startup Hai," Gupta shared the real story behind building boAt - including failures, financial challenges, and the guerrilla marketing strategies that grew it into one of India's leading consumer electronics brands.
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Aman Gupta
Co-Founder & CMO, boAt | CEO, OFF/BEAT
Welcomed the incoming batch and encouraged students to embrace curiosity, lifelong learning, and purposeful leadership - reminding them that university life is about discovering purpose and creating meaningful impact, not just acquiring knowledge.
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Dr Jayasankar Variyar
Vice Chancellor
"The IILM Advantage: Preparing You for Careers That Don't Exist Yet" - shared the University's vision for an AI-driven, rapidly evolving world through its interdisciplinary curriculum, global collaborations, and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Dr Nihar Amoncar
Pro Vice-Chancellor
Led a session on "Youth Mental Health: Building Resilience and Well-being in a Changing World," emphasising that resilience comes from self-awareness, seeking support, and balancing ambition with well-being.
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Vidit Bahri
Co-founder, Sukoon Health

Top Insights

  • Ethics over ideas - Investors evaluate founders on ethics, attitude, resilience, and execution, not just the strength of an idea.
  • Age is not a barrier - Determination and consistency matter more than experience.
  • Learn before you build - Working inside an industry first gives founders an edge before starting their own venture.
  • Classroom + real world - Students should combine academic learning with practical, real-world exposure.
  • AI-readiness is non-negotiable - Building diverse, future-ready skills is essential to stay relevant in an AI-driven economy.
  • Institutions must evolve too - Universities need to continuously adapt their teaching approaches for emerging technologies and changing workplaces.

Student Takeaways

  • Dream big, but stay grounded in values.
  • Success is built through resilience, consistency, and continuous learning.
  • Real-world experience complements classroom education.
  • Mental well-being is essential for long-term success.
  • Adaptability and AI readiness will define future careers.
  • Ethical leadership and collaboration create lasting impact.
  • Innovation begins with curiosity and the courage to take the first step.

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My MBA at IILM equipped me with essential business and corporate skills that helped me excel professionally. Case studies, group discussions, and grooming sessions with brilliant peers shaped me into a lifelong learner. Transitioning from a non-finance background to a finance enthusiast was possible due to IILM’s well-designed curriculum. Grateful to call IILM my Alma Mater!”

Anita Ahuja Senior Vice President

MBA 2008-10 Citibank, Singapore

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As a proud gold medallist of my batch, I had the privilege of dedicating over a decade to Deloitte Consulting. My time at IILM was truly transformative, shaping both my career and personal growth. Returning to campus for the alumni meet was a nostalgic and heartwarming experience.”

Shillaza Girdhar Director - Human Resources

2004-06 Engineering & Consulting Services

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My MBA at IILM equipped me with essential business and corporate skills that helped me excel professionally. Case studies, group discussions, and grooming sessions with brilliant peers shaped me into a lifelong learner. Transitioning from a non-finance background to a finance enthusiast was possible due to IILM’s well-designed curriculum. Grateful to call IILM my Alma Mater!”

Harbinder Narula Businessworld

1994-96 Healthcare/Wellbeing