Hyderabad|India|January'2009: The Indian School of Business (ISB) has been ranked No: 15 in the global B-school rankings released by the Financial Times, London. Previously, in the year 2008, the ISB was ranked 20 by Financial Times, making it the first Indian business school to be counted among the world’s top 20. This is the second year in a row, when ISB has achieved a high rank among leading international business schools.

“I am very proud of the ISB’s achievement. The high level of commitment of the faculty, students, alumni, and the staff at the ISB as well as the unstinting guidance of its associate schools and the Board, have made it possible for this new institution to overcome many challenges in its formative years,” said Rajat Gupta, Chairman, ISB. “ISB’s vision is to make high quality education accessible to a large number of aspirants and I am delighted that the school is growing steadily to fulfill that vision.”

The ISB was established in 2001 by a group of leading industrialists and academicians from India and abroad. From 126 students in 2001, ISB has steadily increased the number of students year after year. The Class of 2009 will have 440 students graduating in April 2009. ISB will be increasing the number of students to 560 in the Class of 2010. Recently, the ISB also announced the setting up of a second campus at Mohali which is likely to commence classes in 2012.

Congratulating the ISB community, Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB, said, “This is a testimony of the dedication and commitment of our faculty, students, alumni, and staff. ISB’s success is a clear demonstration of how the will, energy, and ambition of a diverse group of people can achieve an overarching vision in a remarkably short time. We owe immense gratitude to our Board, our associate schools, our Faculty Heads from these schools, and the former Deans of ISB, who have guided us through our eventful journey.”

The ISB community gathered at the Atrium to celebrate the occasion. Spouses, students, staff, children, faculty, and alumni expressed their elation jubilantly. Echoing the sentiments of the entire student community, Rohit Kapoor, the President of the Graduate Student Board at the ISB said, “It is fantastic to witness history unfolding at my alma mater! I am amazed at the quality of faculty that teach us and at how much I have learnt and grown in the last few months. We are all extremely proud to be ISBians, ISB Rocks!”

Within a short span of eight years, the ISB has made a mark for itself as a premier, B-School in India. Since its inception, the ISB has been a leader in the field of management education by bringing in international best practices and people. The ISB introduced the one year programme, unique portfolio model of faculty, students with prior work experience and diverse backgrounds, the GMAT score as a selection criterion, lateral placements, international quality research and several other initiatives. Being ranked ‘Fifteen’ among global B-schools is a validation of the ISB’s effort to establish an international B-School located in India.

Reachout's News Bureau
 January' 2009