A group of second-year and third-year students from BBA, BBA IB, B.Com PA, and BA Economics embarked on a National Immersion Program at IIM Kozhikode from March 10th (Monday) to March 14th (Friday), 2025, as part of their Liberal Studies Course – Akumen Immersion Program. The team departed from Coimbatore on March 09th, 2025 (AN) and reached IIM Kozhikode by evening.
Day 1 Highlights (March 10, 2025):
The first day of the National Immersion Program at IIM Kozhikode commenced with an inaugural session led by Prof. Deepa Sethi, Dean of Humanities & Liberal Arts in Management, who warmly welcomed the participants and provided an overview of the five-day program. The day featured three insightful sessions each designed to offer students valuable learning experiences in communication, psychology, and social change.
The first session on “Impactful Communication” by Dr. Deepa Sathi introduced the program objectives and began with an icebreaker activity to enhance team collaboration and creative thinking. This was followed by a Harvard Business Case Study titled “The Team That Wasn’t”, focusing on team dynamics, leadership challenges and decision-making. Students were divided into teams for case analysis, with the final presentation scheduled for Wednesday fostering a collaborative learning environment.
The second session on Social Psychology by Prof. Suraj Gogoi delved into human behaviour, social influence, and group dynamics. Using real-world examples, he highlighted how social perception impacts leadership, decision-making, and teamwork, enabling students to connect academic concepts with practical scenarios.
The third session was led by Prof. A.F. Mathew on “Social Transformation in India” offering a thought-provoking discourse on societal changes. Prof. Mathew highlighted the impact of cultural shifts, economic development, technological advancements, and government policies in shaping contemporary Indian society. Through real-life examples and powerful narratives, he emphasised the existing inequalities, evolving mindsets, and social challenges faced by various communities in the country. The session inspired students to reflect on their role in driving positive social change, fostering a sense of social responsibility and awareness.
The first day concluded with valuable learning experiences providing students with insights into communication, social psychology, and social transformation laying a strong foundation for the upcoming sessions of the National Immersion Program.
On Day 2, Prof. Gladys Stephen, specializing in Marketing Management, conducted a session on Design Thinking introducing the six-step process of Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test, and Implement. She emphasised how a user-centered approach fosters innovative solutions for complex problems, encouraging students to think creatively and apply strategic problem-solving methods.
The second session on Political Science and Management was conducted by Prof. Salamah Ansari, an expert in Humanities & Liberal Arts in Management. She provided valuable insights into the Preamble of the Indian Constitution and the structure of government, emphasizing the roles of governance, policy-making, and constitutional principles, thereby enhancing students’ understanding of government functioning.
The third day commenced with a session on Effective Presentation by Prof. Deepa Sethi, where teams presented their analysis of the Day 1 case study and received constructive feedback to refine their communication skills. The session concluded with a team-based activity using chart paper and coloured pens to foster collaboration and creative expression. This exercise enhanced visual storytelling skills, encouraging students to present ideas more effectively.
This was followed by an insightful session on wellness and stress management by Prof. Judu Ilavarasu. He focused on stress triggers, cognitive patterns and effective coping mechanisms. He also introduced yoga, relaxation techniques and mindfulness practices to promote mental well-being, complementing the session with a live demonstration.
During the post-lunch session, Prof. Anand G conducted an in-depth discussion on the Humanitarian Supply Chain focusing on its key functions in disaster relief and emergency response. He elaborated on logistics planning, procurement, inventory management and last-mile distribution emphasizing the critical role of efficiency in ensuring timely delivery of essential resources such as food, medicine and shelter to affected regions.