A new beginning shaped by industry, AI, and purposeful leadership.
Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi, welcomed the PGDM and PGDM-FM Class of 2026–28 through its 31st New North Orientation, a thoughtfully designed three-day experience that introduced students to the realities of the evolving business landscape and the mindset required to succeed within it.
More than a traditional induction, the orientation reflected FIIB’s belief that management education must prepare students not only for the jobs of today, but also for careers that will continue to evolve with technology, business, and society. Across three immersive days, students engaged with recruiters, industry leaders, alumni, faculty, and global experts, gaining first-hand perspectives on employability, leadership, AI, and career development.
The programme commenced with institutional addresses by Prof. Kokil Jain, Dean, and Dr. Purnima Rao, Program Chair, who introduced students to FIIB’s vision for AI-enabled management education and the institute’s commitment to preparing future-ready professionals.
A major highlight of Day One was the Industry Leadership Dialogue: “What We Are Actually Looking For,” where senior leaders from Tata 1mg, Morningstar, EXL, and KPMG shared candid insights into recruiter expectations, workplace readiness, adaptability, and leadership capabilities that distinguish high-performing professionals in today’s competitive environment. Students also participated in the Situation Room, an experiential business challenge where they worked in teams to analyse complex scenarios before presenting their solutions to an industry jury comprising leaders from Gartner, Bausch + Lomb, HLK Group, Kosh, and Asian Paints.
Day Two shifted the focus towards building long-term career advantage. Through the interactive session “The FIIB Intelligence Architecture,” students explored FIIB’s ecosystem of career pathways, international exposure, research, experiential learning, AI initiatives, and student development opportunities.
One of the most anticipated sessions of the orientation, “Positioning Yourself in an AI-Saturated Market,” was delivered by Mr. Ranjan Arora, Director – AI Strategy & Data Analysis, Customer Insights, BCG, who encouraged students to develop a unique combination of business understanding, human skills, and AI capabilities to remain relevant in an increasingly technology-driven workplace.
Students also drew inspiration from accomplished FIIB alumni during “The Inflection Moment”, where leaders from Policybazaar, Continental Carriers, and PwC India reflected on defining career moments, professional setbacks, leadership lessons, and the importance of embracing continuous learning. The day concluded with sessions introducing students to FIIB’s vibrant student leadership ecosystem, clubs, competitions, and experiential learning opportunities.
The final day centred on career planning and future leadership. During “The Career You Haven’t Planned Yet — And Why That’s the Point,” Mr. Atul Chenani, Head of Global Finance, GCC India at Citi, and Ms. Phalasha Nagpal, Jobs, Livelihood and Gender Specialist, challenged students to view uncertainty as an opportunity and encouraged them to build careers rooted in adaptability, lifelong learning, and purpose.
Students further developed their personal growth plans through the “Your Two-Year Map” workshop and explored internships, mentoring, certifications, and career development systems during “The FIIB Employability Blueprint.” The orientation also marked the unveiling of FIIBX, FIIB’s next-generation academic framework designed to align learning with evolving career pathways and workplace expectations.
The orientation concluded with an inspiring keynote by Mr. Raghav Gupta, Head of Education, India & Asia Pacific, OpenAI, who shared his perspectives on artificial intelligence, business transformation, and the leadership capabilities required in an AI-enabled future. His address encouraged students to remain curious, embrace continuous learning, and view AI as a powerful collaborator in solving complex business challenges.
The 31st New North Orientation reflected FIIB’s philosophy that management education begins long before the first classroom session. By bringing together industry leaders, global experts, accomplished alumni, and experiential learning opportunities, the programme provided students with a clear understanding of the professional journey ahead and the capabilities they must develop to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
As the Class of 2026–28 embarks on its two-year journey, it does so with a shared purpose—to learn continuously, think critically, lead responsibly, and create meaningful impact in organisations and society.
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