The SDA Bocconi Asia Center officially welcomed the incoming Class of 2027 on June 10, 2025, with the Opening Day of the 14th edition of the International Master in Business (IMB). The event brought together students, faculty, staff, and alumni to mark the beginning of an exciting academic journey.
The SDA Bocconi School of Management’s IMB program is grounded in a modern and adaptable philosophy, crafted to deliver impactful learning experiences that drive real outcomes for early-career professionals.
This year’s cohort consists of 391 students with an average age of 23 years and 11 months of prior work experience. Representing 25 states across India and with women comprising 55% of the batch, IMB 8 embodies the program’s commitment to diversity, inclusivity, and cross-cultural learning.
The day featured a series of insightful addresses by esteemed faculty members. Professor Maurizio Poli, Academic Director, set the tone with his vision for a globally relevant and academically rigorous experience. Mr. Alessandro Giuliani, Managing Director of SDA Bocconi Asia Center, followed with remarks highlighting the school’s values and international outlook.
Further inspiration came from Professor Anjana Grewal, Senior Professor and Senior Director of the Centers of Excellence, who emphasized innovation and leadership as key pillars of the program. Professor Seema Khanvilkar, Program Director, then guided the new cohort through what to expect from the program, outlining how the IMB is designed to shape business-ready professionals with a global mindset.
A special highlight of the day was an address by our alumnus from the Class of 2015, Abhimanyu Deshpande, Associate Director – Sales Analytics & RGM at PepsiCo, who shared his personal journey and reflections on how the IMB program helped him evolve as a leader. Since graduating, Abhimanyu has built a dynamic career in strategy and consumer insights across top consulting and FMCG firms. He spent over four years at PwC driving transformation projects in supply chain and go-to-market strategies, followed by leadership roles at Accenture and PepsiCo, where he now shapes Net Revenue Management across Africa, the Middle East, and APAC.
With diverse backgrounds and shared ambition, IMB 8 has officially embarked on a transformative journey—one that promises growth, challenge, and global opportunity.
Welcome to IMB 8 – the Class of 2027. Your journey toward a world-class business education begins here.