What truly accelerates a student’s growth beyond the classroom? Increasingly, the answer lies in structured Mentoring, meaningful industry exposure, and opportunities to work on real strategic challenges.
The FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program 2026 was designed precisely with this philosophy in mind. This year’s edition of the FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program brought together 18 industry mentors and 54 mentees for a focused four-month journey of applied learning, strategic thinking, and professional guidance.
Unlike traditional classroom exercises, the FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program allows students to engage directly with industry experts, enabling them to translate academic frameworks into practical insights. From capital markets and international trade strategy to branding and employer architecture, students worked on projects that reflected real-world analytical depth and managerial relevance.
According to Prof. Indrajit Lahiri, Professor of Practice at FIIB and Senior Banking Advisor who supervises the initiative, Mentoring plays a critical role in shaping industry-ready professionals.
“Management education becomes far more meaningful when students are able to apply theoretical frameworks to real business problems. The FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program is designed to create that bridge between classroom knowledge and strategic thinking required in the corporate world,” he noted.
The latest edition of the FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program showcased several outstanding student projects that combined rigorous analysis with practical application.
Among the top performers was Hitesh Rathi (PGDM 2024–26), mentored by Mr. Bikash Kumar Mishra. His project examined capital market strategies, analysing how private placements can offer advantages over initial public offerings (IPOs) in certain financial contexts. As part of his work, he developed a detailed investor pitchbook for private placement, demonstrating how companies structure capital-raising strategies for targeted investors.
Another notable project came from Ankit Kumar (PGDM 2024–26), mentored by Mr. Bharat Rampal, President – Investment and Strategy at Moore Kingston Smith and an FIIB alumnus from the 2002–04 batch.
Ankit’s research explored two strategic areas. The first analysed consumer behaviour and omnichannel strategy through Lenskart’s retail and digital integration, highlighting how brands build seamless customer experiences across platforms. His second project focused on strategic trade evaluation under India–EU and India–UK agreements, examining sectoral export opportunities and competitive implications for Indian businesses.
The program also highlighted the strategic importance of branding and talent management. Rachita Lohiya (PGDM 2024–26) worked under the Mentoring of Ms. Pamela Debnath, an AI-certified Strategic Human Resource Professional and FIIB alumna from the 2010–12 batch.
Her work included a branding review for Slimiphy along with a detailed analysis of employer branding and hiring architecture, reflecting how organizations position themselves to attract and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market.
The FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program stands out because it is deeply integrated into the institute’s learning ecosystem. Through Mentoring conversations, project reviews, and strategic discussions, students gain insights into real decision-making processes used by industry leaders.
Prof. Lahiri further emphasized that programs like this are essential in preparing students for evolving corporate environments.
“Mentoring helps students understand not just what businesses do, but how strategic decisions are made. Exposure to industry mentors gives them a perspective that goes beyond textbooks and prepares them for leadership roles in complex organisations,” he said.
A key strength of the FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program is the active participation of FIIB’s alumni and industry network. Distinguished professionals contribute their time and expertise, helping students navigate real business challenges while strengthening the institute’s connection with industry.
As the 2026 cohort concludes its Mentoring journey, the program once again demonstrates how structured industry engagement can transform academic learning into strategic capability.
At FIIB, Mentoring is not treated as an add-on to the curriculum. Instead, the FIIB Corporate Mentoring Program continues to serve as a powerful platform where students move beyond theory and begin their transition from classroom learners to future corporate strategists.
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