Indian management education has suffered a big jolt. Noted management educationist Fr. Abraham Enthemkuzy, SJ, lovingly known as Fr. Abe, passed away on July 14 due to cardiac arrest. In a career spanning over five decades, Fr. Abraham made immense contributions to Indian management education. As the Director of XLRI Jamshedpur and XIM Bhubaneshwar, he played a leading role in guiding the two institutions to greater heights. He was closely associated with several professional bodies like AIMS and NHRDN and received many awards for his lasting contributions.
Long Association with XLRI Jamshedpur and XIM Bhubaneshwar
Fr. E. Abraham S.J. has been the longest serving Director of XLRI in its long 70 years history. His total tenure as Director spanned for over 16 years across two terms. He was also an alumnus of XLRI.
Another institution where Fr Abraham was closely associated was XIMB. He was the founding Dean of Xavier Institute of Management from 1987-1989 and Professor of OB.
Fr. Abraham served as the Director of XIMB from 1997-2007. After serving as Director of XLRI, in 2019, Fr. Abraham took charge as Advisor to Vice-Chancellor of XIM University from 2019.
Fr. Abraham Enthemkuzy graduated from XLRI and obtained his Ph.D. in Psychology from Gujarat University. He had joined the Jesuit Society in 1968 and took his final vows in July 1990.
Awards and Recognitions
Fr. Abraham is highly regarded as a champion of India's management academia and an eminent thought leader in academic governance who has immensely contributed to the field. Fr. Abraham was honoured with numerous awards for his contribution to management education in India.
- All India Management Association (AIMA) conferred on him "AIMA Kewal Nohria Award for Academic Leadership in Management Education" 2019.
- He was the Founder-Secretary of the National HRD Network and the Founder-President of Indian Association of Autonomous Business Schools.
- He was also on the boards of International Association of Jesuit Business Schools and Association of Asia Pacific Business Schools.
- He was the President of the Association of Indian Management Schools and a member of the board at IRMA.
- He was also member of National Board of Accreditation and member of All India Board of Management Studies.
Fr Abraham was a strong votary of inculcating values and ethics in management education. In an interview with MBAUniverse.com as the Director of XLRI, he had said, “The values that are instilled in the students here produce not just excellent managers but good human beings with an ethical outlook. A unique environment of 'caring and sharing' is what makes this B-school different.”
Fr Abraham’s death is being mourned by thousands of management educationists and lakhs of his students.
