Questrom School of Business Receives Gift to Establish the Ravi K. Mehrotra Institute for Business, Markets, and Society

Boston University announces a landmark gift from Ravi K. Mehrotra to name the Ravi K. Mehrotra Institute for Business, Markets, and Society at Questrom School of Business. The mission of the Institute is to help students, industry leaders, regulators, and the broader public understand and appreciate the role business and markets do, can, and should play in creating lasting prosperity, advancing societal goals, and solving global challenges.

At the core of the Mehrotra Institute is the commitment to demystify the complexities of how business and markets contribute to individual prosperity, societal advancement and global problem-solving. The Institute envisions a society where the potential of business to drive positive change is fully realized and harnessed.

Dean Susan Fournier at the Foresight Group Annual Winter Barbecue in London this past Friday where the family announced the gift.(Pictured from L-R: Utsav Seth, Manju Mehrotra, Susan Fournier, Ravi K. Mehrotra, Manjari Mehrotra Seth)

The Institute is set to deliver on this vision by creating and supporting:

• Targeted Educational Initiatives tailored to enhance the understanding of students, organizational leaders, policy makers, regulators, and the broader public about the pivotal role of business in society.

• Constructive Dialogue that promotes balanced and insightful discussions on capitalism, with the intent to transcend ideological barriers and raise the level of debate on the societal contributions of business.

• Rigorous,Evidence-Based, and Actionable Research that explores the complex interplay of the tensions that influence the balance between firm prosperity and societal goals.

Ravi K. Mehrotra, the founder of Foresight Global Pte Ltd., has been instrumental in revolutionizing the international maritime industry. His visionary approach has not only escalated Foresight Group to new heights but also contributed to setting new standards in corporate philanthropy and social responsibility. 

“Boston University Questrom School of Business is among the world’s top-ranking schools for business administration and management programs. Questrom makes the ideal home for the institute because of its innovative curriculum, distinguished faculty, the diverse and global perspective it offers to students, and above all, its strategic location in Boston, the world’s most innovative finance, legal, and technology hub. An institute dedicated to exploring the intersections of business, markets, and society plays a pivotal role in bridging gaps in understanding and collaboration between these crucial domains fostering a more informed, ethical, and sustainable approach to commerce and economics.”

Kenneth Freeman, President ad interim of Boston University, highlights the importance of this Institute for Boston University’s research and education mission. “The focus of the new Institute on understanding the important role of business in our society embraces the vision and spirit of its benefactor, Ravi Mehrotra, and builds on his philosophy that ‘knowledge is powerful.’ We are pleased and honored that the Mehrotra Institute will become a vitally important part of Boston University’s research and teaching mission.”

Susan Fournier, Allen Questrom Professor & Dean, stresses the socio-cultural impetus for the formation of the Institute, and applauds alignment of the Institute with Questrom’s mission to prepare leaders who understand and leverage the value creating role of business in society.

“The launch of IBMS is well-timed. The institute is intended to build upon, benefit from, and inform the current cultural moment in which business is increasingly scrutinized and the benefits of business in and for society are hotly debated. The how of the Institute is as important as the what. We will apply the powers of rigorous and balanced scholarly research, the fundamental principles of free and open speech, and our belief in data to advance our understanding and practice of the complex, thorny process of value creation through business. Including this gift, the largest received to date, we have been able to raise over $50M from multiple donors to support the Institute’s work.”

The Ravi K. Mehrotra Institute for Business, Markets, and Society stands as a beacon of knowledge, equipping current and future leaders with the understanding necessary to leverage business as a force for good.

A naming celebration and ribbon cutting will take place at the first annual Mehrotra Institute Symposium September 19-20, 2024. 

To learn more about Ravi K. Mehrotra and more information on the institute visit ibms.bu.edu for ongoing updates.