ArdorComm Media News Network
October 28, 2026
The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) has partnered with Axis Bank to establish a Centre of Economics at the IIMB–Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies, located at its new campus in Jigani, Bengaluru. The two institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the development and functioning of the centre.
Under the agreement, Axis Bank will fund the construction and operationalisation of the centre within the campus’s Integrated Academic and Administrative Block, part of Phase I. The partnership will also support faculty development initiatives, academic research, and need-based and merit-based scholarships for students.
The Centre of Economics will promote an interdisciplinary approach to economics education, combining quantitative and computational methods with data analytics and empirical research. Its academic programmes will focus on applying economic concepts to real-world challenges while aligning the curriculum with international standards and contemporary research practices.
Vijay Mulbagal, Group Head – Wholesale Bank Coverage, Corporate Salary, Sustainability and CSR at Axis Bank, said the collaboration seeks to strengthen undergraduate education and research through academic programmes benchmarked against global standards.
Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Director-in-charge of IIM Bangalore, highlighted the centre’s role in enabling students and faculty to explore the factors shaping economic development at national and global levels. He added that Axis Bank’s support would strengthen academic infrastructure and create opportunities to advance the institution’s vision of building a world-class undergraduate education ecosystem.
The IIMB–Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies welcomed its first cohort in August 2026. The inaugural batch comprises 80 students selected from nearly 12,000 applicants for its Bachelor of Science (Honours) programmes in Data Sciences and Economics.
Among them, 40 students will pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a minor in Data Sciences at the Axis Bank Centre of Economics.
Through its interdisciplinary model, the school aims to integrate subject-specific expertise with quantitative capabilities and practical, data-driven applications, preparing students to address emerging challenges in economics and related fields.
Source: Indian Express