“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
As we embark on this collective journey, navigating the intricacies of life at IIM Nagpur and beyond, I stand before all of you, humbled and honored to serve as the first female President of the Students’ Affairs Assembly at IIM Nagpur. As I look forward, I cannot help but reflect on the invaluable opportunities that have shaped my path, equipping me to be a part of this institution and lead our esteemed student community. With almost 3+ years of work experience and holding various positions like the IEEE Student Chairperson, IEEE Student Section Representative, or the Class Representative, the journey from preparing for CAT to stepping foot on the campus to taking up this momentous role has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.
Firstly, I’d like to introduce you to the SAEC team. The Students’ Affairs Executive Council consists of the President, the three vertical heads: General Secretary: Academic Clubs – Mr. Avinash Kumar D; General Secretary: Co-Curricular Clubs – Mr. Ashutosh Singh; the Students’ Affairs Secretary: Mr. Vivek Kumar Mahaseth and the Placement Coordinator – Ms. Kiran B Nambiar. Collectively, our aim is to promote excellence and cultivate inclusivity within the campus community, enabling us to live our lives to their fullest potential in IIM Nagpur while preparing ourselves for the corporate world ahead. As pioneers of the new MIHAN campus, we have been privileged to witness firsthand the enriching experiences, captivating events, and joyous festivities it offers. As a team, our vision is to cultivate a vibrant culture that cherishes every facet of life, embracing academic pursuits and co-curricular engagements while extending gratitude to those who tirelessly support us and enhance our campus life.
In our pursuit of empowering excellence, we acknowledge the importance of identifying areas within our ecosystem that can benefit from improvement. We are committed to diligently recognizing pain points and proactively seeking alternative solutions that optimize and streamline processes and enhance efficiency for the students at IIM Nagpur. These endeavors are driven by our deep understanding of the excitement and challenges that lie ahead for students undertaking an MBA degree at our esteemed institution. We also intend to work on increasing accountability and transparency of the Students’ Affairs Assembly, not as an outcome of enforced processes but as an outcome of increased trust and confidence.
This year, while we are working to give our best in internal and external events, we also intend to spread the reach of IIM Nagpur by seeking out various collaborative opportunities with other institutes or organizations. This is majorly to foster knowledge exchange and promote intellectual growth by facilitating the sharing of ideas, best practices, and research findings. This not only benefits the institution but also opens up new avenues for students to develop themselves holistically and have the opportunity to engage with a diverse set of peers and professionals, fostering cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and the development of essential interpersonal skills.
I understand the post of SAEC President is a very demanding responsibility that requires one to ensure that the batch has all the resources ready at hand and to minimize friction as much as possible, both within and outside the batch. We acknowledge that the task ahead is no simple feat, but we are confident that the collective capabilities of the students and faculty at IIM Nagpur will triumph over any challenges that may arise. As times evolve, we will proactively address emerging issues, and we wholeheartedly welcome suggestions from students in this regard. It is a privilege to serve as the President of the Students’ Affair Assembly, and I pledge to work towards making a meaningful and positive impact on everyone’s college experience.
Shivani Nitish Nayak
President, Students’ Affairs Assembly