Igniting Futures: Orientation Programme for the Class of 2026
Day 1: A Warm Welcome
The orientation kicked off on Wednesday, April 9, with the arrival and check-in of students, followed by a sumptuous welcome dinner at the Institute cafeteria. Students and their parents had the opportunity to mingle with faculty, staff, and leadership — setting the tone for the collaborative journey ahead.
Day 2: Getting Settled
Thursday morning began with document verification and the signing of key undertakings, including anti-ragging and hostel guidelines. This was followed by a high-energy ice-breaking session packed with team-building activities, helping students ease into their new environment.
After a departmental introduction and a brief hi-tea break, the day concluded with a Workshop on Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH), led by Ms. Monica Dhar, Senior General Manager, Holistic Wellbeing (P&R), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). She emphasized the importance of respectful environments and workplace ethics, reinforcing Jio Institute’s student-first approach.
Day 3: Academic Immersion
Friday marked the academic initiation with a powerful address by Dr. Dipak Jain, Vice Chancellor of Jio Institute. His speech focused on the Institute's values, global vision, and the importance of integrity, encouraging students to be purpose-driven leaders of tomorrow.
The day continued with foundational boot camps — Mathematics for students in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science (AI&DS), and Excel for Sports Management (SM) students. These sessions ensured that all students were aligned with the academic expectations ahead. In the evening, the academic services team hosted a session on policies, the honour code, and curriculum structure, offering clarity on expectations, evaluations, and the academic calendar.
Day 4: Skills for the Real World
On Saturday, the spotlight shifted to skill-building. Dr. Vishnu Prasad V, Assistant Professor, led a session on "Structured Thinking for Case Solving," guiding students on breaking down problems and approaching them analytically.
Later, a session titled “Business Trailblazer” introduced students to case competitions, hackathons, and conferences — key opportunities for applying classroom learning in real-world settings. In the afternoon, Ms. Hemalakshmi Raju, Chief Learning Officer and Leader – Diversity & Inclusion at RIL, led an engaging workshop on fostering inclusive spaces and diversity of thought on campus.
The evening concluded with a workshop on "Executive Summary Mastery," sharpening students’ ability to present insights effectively — a vital skill for both academics and industry.
Day 5: The Inaugural Session
After a Sunday break, the programme culminated in a grand Inaugural Session on Monday, April 14.
Dr. Palak Sheth, Project Director, addressed the Class of 2026 with a message rooted in purpose and perseverance. He spoke about building institutions with intent, urging students to view their time at Jio Institute as a responsibility to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully
Mr. Sohail Chandok, CEO, U Sports, a speaker at the event, delivered a stirring talk centered on ambition, resilience, and taking risks. He recounted his own journey: “There was nothing to lose. One risk to shape the next decades of my life.” His message to students was clear — success isn’t born from instant gratification but from consistent effort: “Effortlessness takes effort.”
Following him, Ms. Rajshri Bakshi, Senior Vice President, RIL & a Creative Director in AI, captivated the audience with real-world examples of how data science shapes industries. From how Netflix curates viewer experiences to how AI helped refine Hungarian accents in film through Respeecher, she painted a vivid picture of what’s possible at the intersection of creativity and technology. She emphasized the importance of staying curious, advising students to “ask questions — have the inquisitiveness alive in you.”
In his inaugural address to the batch of 2026 at Jio Institute, Mr. Mukesh Jain, CTO and Executive Vice President of Capgemini, emphasised the importance of progressing beyond data to understanding analytics. He explained that data generates both activity and inactivity data, which plays a crucial role in machine learning. Citing the example of Outlook’s algorithm, he highlighted how personalisation is key—junk mail filtering is not based on a one-size-fits-all approach but on customised algorithms that learn from both explicit feedback (such as a direct “yes”) and implicit cues (such as a passive “no”). He urged students to remain curious and inquisitive, encouraging them to ask questions and keep the spirit of learning alive.
A Launchpad for Lifelong Learning
As the Class of 2026 wrapped up an ensemble orientation, they left with more than just timetables and course outlines. They carried with them inspiration from real-world leaders, a sense of belonging, and the tools to make the most of their time at Jio Institute.
From icebreakers to inaugural addresses, the Orientation Programme was not just an introduction — it was an invitation. An invitation to dream, explore, and grow. And with such a spirited start, the Class of 2026 is already on its way to making an impact.