IIM Kozhikode Director Debashis Chatterjee said there has been a sharp jump in the number of working professionals opting for upskilling and reskilling programmes.

Referring to nearly 30,000 layoffs by Oracle, Chatterjee said the development underlines the need for continuous upskilling in the changing technological environment.

Over 700 working professionals are likely to enroll for the 19th batch of IIM Kozhikode's Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP) in Management. In the 18th batch, the total admission stood at 672, out of which 29 per cent are women.

"The EPGP has consistently brought together professionals from varied sectors, functions and career stages into a cohort defined by intellectual depth, diversity of perspective and a shared commitment to growth," said Chatterjee.

"We remain committed to nurturing globally minded, technologically fluent and socially conscious managers who can lead with judgement, agility and purpose in a rapidly changing business environment today," he added.

Designed to support leadership development and career progression, the EPGP combines the flexibility of interactive online learning at dedicated centres at participant's city of residence/work, along with the depth of immersive campus engagement over two years.

With over 750 contact hours, the programme helps participants strengthen their understanding of core business functions, sharpen strategic thinking and engage with emerging themes shaping enterprise decision-making. The curriculum also equips professionals to respond more effectively to economic shifts, technological change and evolving market realities.

In the first year, learners build a strong grounding in management fundamentals across four quarters, covering courses from various areas such as finance and accounting, decision sciences and operations management, marketing, strategy, human resources and organisational behaviour, economics, and humanities, liberal arts and management, as per a statement issued by IIM Kozhikode.

In the second year, the programme moves into three semesters of advanced study, allowing participants to choose from a wide range of electives, including corporate strategy, digital transformation, AI for business, Gen AI, responsible AI, entrepreneurship and innovation, Mapping Managerial Excellence: Insights from the Bhagavad Gita, Story Telling Artistry, Corporate Wellness through Karma Yoga, leadership and change management, international business, business simulations and other specialised subjects.