I am happy to note that Alkesh Dinesh Mody Institute for Financial and Management Studies, a department of University of Mumbai, has undertaken several initiatives to connect the students with industry professionals, social entrepreneurs, and industry experts of eminence. The institute has exhibited energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to further industry linked opportunities for students. The multiple initiatives of the institute to strengthen industry-academia collaboration are praiseworthy and as an outcome the institute received 'MCX Award 2024' in category of 'Best Supporting Partner in Education, Awareness, and Financial Literacy' and 'Best Academic Partner' recognition from ISTD (Mumbai Chapter).

The institute is also contributing extensively in faculty and student driven research. Institute exhibited interdisciplinary research teamwork through execution and completion of the ICSSR sponsored Special Call Collaborative Empirical Research Project with Gujarat University and Ahmedabad University in March 2024.

Institute has aligned its curriculum with the NEP 2020 holistic student development requirements. Among the student development and support initiatives included the 'Summer Internship Award', Budget Prediction Competition, 'Campus to Corporate Lecture Series', 'Coffee with Alumni' discussion gatherings, and the 'Keynote Award for Academic Excellence' for top-performing FYMMS students. The culture of peer-to-peer learning and industry academia activities driven through faculty mentored students' committees like Placement Committee, Media Committee, Alumni Committee, Artillery Committee, Social Responsibility Club, E-Cell and Cultural Committee, enrich the learning environment at the institute. The support from alumni in capability enhancement initiative of students has resulted in enhanced Alumni engagement and also extended opportunities for final and summer placements.

Institute has been ranked from multiple national magazines survey as a Best B-School such as Fortune Magazine, India Today, The Week, Business Today as a best B-School in terms of ROI (Return of Investment), top 10 B-School in India during the year 2024-25.

I am sure and confident that the institute with its enthusiasm and combined efforts of its faculty, staff, students, and alumni will continue on a further growth journey in the coming year. I welcome the industry to partner in the growth journey of the institute and students through mutually beneficial placement process.

Prof. (Dr.) Ravindra Kulkarni Vice-Chancellor University of Mumbai