Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha Scholarship 2024
The Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha Scholarship program, initiated by South Point School Guwahati Alumni ’93, honors the legacy of the renowned Case Method Expert, Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha. This year’s recipient was Ms.Abhilasha Mondal.
Legacy is intangible – it does not necessarily refer to money and property earned for our next generation but to the volume of work and the reverence that it gained in one’s lifetime.
Personality
Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha Scholarship program is dedicated to an internationally renowned Case Method Expert and an academician par excellence from the field of Management Studies. His contribution, especially in the area of Case Method Writing is an exemplary level of achievement in the world of management education. Case study method is the most contemporary mode of teaching where detailed study of a person, group or event is conducted where every aspect of the subject’s life and history is scrutinized to understand patterns and behaviors. Harvard Business School, ICFAI Business School, University of Illinois, Columbia University, top Universities of the world teaching business use Case Study Method as an amalgamated experience between research and teaching.
Professor Purkayastha’s role as the Director of the IBS Case Research Center, Hyderabad helped him nourish many students and co-learners in this acclaimed methodology and made him a trailblazer in the field in India. His deep thinking, enriched experience in strategy as well as his association with prestigious academic journals shaped the discourse on Case Methodology at IBS Hyderabad.
Awards
Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha won many teaching awards including the highly prestigious ‘ Outstanding Contribution to the Case Method’ award from The Case Centre. He won this much-coveted lifetime achievement award at the age of 38, becoming the first from outside North America and Europe to get this award. He was declared the best selling author in 2016 and has retained the top spot firmly for 8 consecutive years even after 3 years of inactive contribution. He won the same award even in 2023 that was collected in his absence by his wife Somali Purkayastha and their son Sohum.
Event
South Point School Guwahati Alumni’93, the Class of 1993, launched a scholarship program in the year 2023 to honour their classmate and friend Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha and celebrate his immense contribution to the world of academia. Sid Ghosh initiated the process in 2023 and the process continued this year as well. The award for 2024 was given to Ms. Abhilasha Mondal , a grade11 student , from their alma mater South Point School Guwahati. Abhilasha was chosen by a panel from the Class of 1993, for her overall achievements both in scholastic as well as her co-scholastic activities. The award included a cash prize of 22,000 Indian rupees, in association with the Principal of the school, Sri Krishnanjan Chanda, a citation and a certificate of excellence. Professor Shantikam Hazarika, Founder- Director of Assam Institute of Management and former Head of State Education Board of Assam (SEBA) was the Chief Guest for the award ceremony. He commended Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha for excelling in the highly competitive field of management sciences and his achievement of being the world’s most read author in Case Method Writing. Speaking on the occasion, he added that scholarship program’s aim to recognize bright minds from the state is remarkable and hailed Dr. Purkayastha’s friends for their solidarity and integrity to launch the program in his honour. He also urged the members of the alumni to recognize hidden talents from remote places in the state so that talented yet underprivileged students can avail such scholarships. The Principal and Director of South Point School, Shri Krishnanjan Chanda remembered Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha as the intelligent yet introverted student and expressed his pride in Professor Purkayastha’s contribution to academia globally. In a video message played at the ceremony, Dr. Sudhakar Rao, Director of IBS Hyderabad spoke at length about the promising scope of Case studies Management in India and applauded Professor Purkayastha’s unique touch, accomplishments and dedication to the same. Professor Kumar Satyaki Ray from IBS Kolkata described how Dr. Debapratim was a true leader and nurtured many scholars to achieve outstanding hallmarks in the field of management.
The members of the alumni also felicitated 11 teachers from their time and referred to their teachings in the classroom and beyond as life lessons that has nurtured their personalities. Ms. Pritika Nath, the recipient of the first Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha Scholarship was also present .The event was organized at the prestigious Gauhati Press Club in attendance of members of the press.
“ To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart.” ~Thomas J. Watson Sr, the erstwhile chairman and CEO of IBM quoted about legacy leadership. South Point Guwahati Alumni’ 93 has this philosophy in its core and is deeply committed to take the Dr. Debapratim Purkayastha Scholarship program to newer heights with each year ahead.
By-Nandini Sen Das with inputs from Somali Purkayastha and Somashis Gupta
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