The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) has partnered with ed-tech platform Emeritus to introduce a 10-month women’s leadership programme. This initiative tackles the persistent gender disparity in leadership roles within corporate India by equipping women with essential skills, strategic knowledge, and the confidence to excel in executive and board-level positions.
The 2024 KPMG Women Leadership in Corporate India Report highlights that women occupy just 23.2% of leadership roles in Indian corporates, with less than 12% representation in CXO positions and a mere 1.6% in Fortune 500 leadership roles. Furthermore, fewer than 30% of women in entry-level jobs advance to senior leadership roles, underscoring the urgent need for targeted initiatives to dismantle systemic barriers and create inclusive workplaces.
Tailored for mid and senior-level professionals, the programme combines live interactive sessions led by IIM Kozhikode faculty, workshops on key areas like strategic negotiation, design thinking, and digital transformation. Participants will benefit from an immersive campus experience with two on-campus sessions of five days (4+1) at Kozhikode. Learning is hands-on, with capstone projects, workshops, and case-based sessions facilitated by Kozhikode faculty and industry experts.
Professor Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, commented, “Leadership is about breaking barriers and reshaping narratives. Through this programme, we aim to empower women to bring their unique perspectives to leadership roles, enabling transformative changes across industries and organisations.”
Avnish Singhal, Executive Vice President (India & APAC), Emeritus, also speaking about the collaboration stated, “This partnership with IIM Kozhikode recognises the growing number of women eager to pursue leadership roles and the need to equip them with the right skills. At Emeritus, we are taking a significant step towards making this vision a reality, fostering a generation of women leaders who are poised to reshape the corporate landscape.”
Programme Details – IIM Kozhikode Women Leadership Programme:
- Start Date: March 31, 2025
- Duration: 10 months
- Eligibility: Minimum graduate or diploma holder (10+2+3) with 5+ years of work experience
- Programme Fee: Rs 3,5 lakh + GST
- Learning Mode: Live online sessions
- Certificate: Verified digital certificate and Executive Alumni status upon successful completion
The programme aims to empower participants with critical skills in negotiation, strategic decision-making, and team leadership, enabling them to overcome systemic challenges and thrive in high-impact roles. The programme’s core focus is to empower women leaders to lead with confidence and impact in India’s evolving corporate landscape.