Alumni social events were held at chapters across the country to welcome the Class of 2010 into the alumni fold.
Vipul
Class of 2008
Diplomat
Indian Foreign Service
Total Work Experience: About 14 years in Indian Foreign Service, Indian Railways and Steel Authority of India Ltd.
Personal Interests: Travelling, trekking and foreign relations.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your professional life after the ISB.
I am a diplomat by profession and did not change my line post ISB. My objective of joining the ISB was to get formal education in business and economics from a top institute so as to better represent India in an era in which economic diplomacy has become a top priority. I can say with full confidence that my objective was fulfilled. Besides, the ISB honed my skills in soft areas including communications and negotiations which are extremely important in diplomacy. Post ISB, I have worked in the field of disarmament and strategic trade management which is one of the most important departments of the Ministry of External Affairs.
What was your key takeaway from the ISB?
The power of teamwork. The ISB teams, formed of really talented and highly motivated students, show how they are able to crack the most difficult cases and problems through collective, structured and creative thinking.
Who is your role model?
While clichéd, my role model remains Gandhiji for his exceptional use of truth, especially in politics, and the moral values that he taught us.
How was it going back to the IFS?
Proud to be back…it is a service with some of the most amazing minds working determinedly for promoting India’s interests.
What is your vision for the School?
A School that trains students to become business leaders who are ethical and oriented to building a better society and nation.
What are the strengths that the School can leverage upon and areas it can improve?
The greatest strength of the ISB remains the diversity and experience that the students bring to the class. The ISB can leverage the personal networks that the students have when they enter the School. There is enormous scope of improvement in increasing the strength of foreign students and building our alum network.
What do you think is the alumni’s role in building the school?
It is important that the School and the students keep in touch with alums to keep them engaged with the School. The alums should be confident that the School treasures them and that they are important stakeholders. This could be done in several ways such as strengthening the local alumni chapters, involving the alums in the admissions process, helping alums who may be in distress situations etc.
What is an area you can contribute in?
Being in the Foreign Service, I believe that one of the areas I could contribute in is building brand ISB abroad. This is also one of the areas in which we need to make more efforts.