SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) has inaugurated its Ph.D. Batch 2026, welcoming a new cohort of doctoral scholars across 13 academic disciplines. The ceremony marked the beginning of the scholars’ research journey while reaffirming the university’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research, innovation and academic excellence.
The inaugural event was graced by Padma Vibhushan Prof. M. M. Sharma, one of India’s leading chemical engineers, former Director of the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT), and the first Indian engineer elected
as a Fellow of the Royal Society, London. Widely recognised for his contributions to chemical engineering and institution building, Prof. Sharma delivered the keynote address to the incoming scholars.
Highlighting the importance of research in national development, Prof. Sharma said that the prosperity of a nation can be linked to the number of Ph.D. holders per million people. He encouraged students to approach research with passion, patience and perseverance, emphasising that failures are often stepping stones to innovation. Stressing the importance of original thinking, he noted that ideas are more valuable than access to sophisticated facilities and urged scholars to remain committed to creating knowledge that drives meaningful change.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar, Provost (Administration), Dr. Abhishek Ranjan, Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Tanmoy Chakraborty, Registrar, and Dr. Mayank Joshipura, Dean, School of Business Management (Research, Innovation & Faculty Development), along with faculty members, research supervisors and doctoral scholars.
The Ph.D. Batch 2026 includes researchers from diverse disciplines, including Management, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Engineering, Data Science, Science, Physiotherapy, Mathematics, Statistics, Commerce, Economics, Law, Architecture and Liberal Arts. The university said the multidisciplinary composition of the cohort reflects its focus on collaborative research that addresses complex real-world challenges.
Addressing the scholars, Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar described doctoral research as an opportunity to move beyond consuming knowledge and become creators of knowledge. He encouraged researchers to ensure that their work contributes to solving business, societal and environmental challenges, rather than remaining confined to academic settings.
Through its doctoral programmes, research infrastructure and interdisciplinary ecosystem, NMIMS aims to strengthen India’s research landscape by preparing scholars who can contribute to academia, industry and public policy. The university stated that its continued emphasis on innovation, collaboration and impactful research seeks to develop future knowledge leaders capable of addressing emerging national and global challenges.
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