In a decisive move that signals its global ambitions, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur has embarked on an intensive journey to achieve the coveted Triple Crown Accreditation by 2027. If successful, the institute will join an elite group representing just 1% of business schools worldwide that hold accreditations from all three major international bodies—AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA.
For a relatively young IIM, the pursuit of Triple Crown status reflects both confidence and clarity of vision. It underscores IIM Sambalpur’s intent to position itself not merely as a national management institution, but as a globally benchmarked business school aligned with international standards of academic excellence, governance, and societal impact.
What Triple Crown Accreditation really means
Triple Crown Accreditation is widely regarded as the gold standard in management education. Each accrediting body evaluates institutions through a distinct lens:
- AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) focuses on academic quality, faculty qualifications, assurance of learning, and impact-driven research.
- EQUIS emphasises internationalisation, corporate connections, and ethical responsibility.
- AMBA assesses programme quality, particularly MBA offerings, leadership development, and career outcomes.
Together, these accreditations ensure that an institution meets rigorous global benchmarks across teaching, research, governance, and engagement with industry and society.
For IIM Sambalpur, achieving this recognition would not only elevate its global standing but also significantly enhance the value proposition for its students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners.
A major milestone: AACSB engagement begins
As a key step in this journey, IIM Sambalpur recently hosted representatives from AACSB at both its New Delhi and Sambalpur campuses, marking the institute’s formal entry into the global accreditation ecosystem.
The visit included Prof. Teguh Dartanto, a senior academic from Universitas Indonesia, who has been appointed as IIM Sambalpur’s AACSB mentor. Between July 27 and 31, Prof. Dartanto conducted an in-depth academic and institutional review, engaging with a wide spectrum of stakeholders—from leadership and faculty to students, alumni, and recruiters.
Such mentorship is a critical part of the AACSB process. Rather than acting as a one-time audit, AACSB follows a developmental approach, guiding institutions through a multi-year transformation focused on continuous improvement and long-term impact.
Strengthening the self-evaluation process
One of the most crucial outcomes of the visit was guidance on refining the institute’s Initial Self-Evaluation Report (iSER). The iSER serves as a foundational document in the AACSB accreditation pathway, outlining an institution’s mission, strategy, academic model, faculty deployment, learning outcomes, and impact goals.
Through structured discussions and diagnostic feedback, Prof. Dartanto helped identify strengths, gaps, and priority areas for alignment with AACSB standards. These insights are expected to shape strategic decision-making across curriculum design, faculty development, research focus, and assurance of learning systems.
The engagement also reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to evidence-based academic governance—an essential requirement for global accreditation.
Formalising global intent
Adding symbolic and strategic weight to the initiative, Prathap Das, Regional Head – South Asia, AACSB, visited IIM Sambalpur’s Delhi campus on July 28. During the visit, he formally presented the AACSB Membership Certificate to Director Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, officially recognising IIM Sambalpur as part of the AACSB global network.
AACSB membership is more than a procedural step—it represents a public declaration of an institution’s intent to meet international quality benchmarks and engage in global peer learning. Membership grants access to global best practices, benchmarking tools, and collaborative academic networks.
Conversations that shape institutional culture
During the AACSB engagements, several core themes dominated discussions, including:
- Strategic planning and mission alignment
- Academic and societal impact
- Faculty qualifications and development
- Assurance of learning frameworks
- Ethics, sustainability, and social responsibility
These conversations went beyond compliance, focusing instead on how IIM Sambalpur can embed quality and impact into its institutional DNA. Faculty and administrators examined how teaching and research can better align with regional development needs while remaining globally relevant.
Importantly, students and alumni were also part of these interactions, reinforcing the idea that accreditation is not just an administrative exercise but a collective institutional journey.
Building a globally relevant yet locally rooted B-school
While Triple Crown Accreditation is global in nature, IIM Sambalpur’s approach reflects a balance between international aspirations and local relevance. Situated in Odisha, the institute has consistently emphasised inclusive growth, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development—values increasingly recognised by global accreditation bodies.
By aligning its academic objectives with broader societal challenges, the institute is positioning itself as a business school that produces not just managers, but responsible leaders equipped to operate in complex economic and social environments.
Looking ahead: EQUIS and AMBA
With AACSB as the first step, IIM Sambalpur has also set its sights on pursuing EQUIS and AMBA accreditations in the coming phases. Each accreditation will require further strengthening of international partnerships, programme structures, governance mechanisms, and student outcomes.
The road ahead will be demanding, involving years of documentation, introspection, and continuous improvement. However, institutional leadership has framed this process as an opportunity for transformation rather than merely a certification goal.
A signal to stakeholders
For students, Triple Crown ambitions signal enhanced global recognition, improved mobility, and stronger career prospects. For faculty, it opens doors to international collaboration, research visibility, and professional development. For industry and recruiters, it offers assurance of academic rigor and talent quality.
More broadly, IIM Sambalpur’s accreditation journey reflects the evolving landscape of Indian management education—where newer institutions are no longer content with domestic relevance alone but are actively seeking a place on the global stage.
A defining chapter in IIM Sambalpur’s growth story
As IIM Sambalpur advances toward its 2027 target, the pursuit of Triple Crown Accreditation stands as one of the most defining chapters in its institutional evolution. The journey underscores a commitment to quality, accountability, and global engagement—values that increasingly define excellence in management education.
Whether or not the final milestone is achieved on schedule, the process itself is already reshaping the institute’s academic culture, governance practices, and global outlook, laying a strong foundation for long-term impact.
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