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Management Guru Philip Honored by Pope
21 Feb
Summary
- Philip was awarded the Chevalier knighthood by the Pope for exceptional services.
- He significantly contributed to India's management education evolution.
- Philip founded the Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME).
Professor Joseph Philip, widely acclaimed as the doyen of Indian management education, has passed away. Early in January 2026, he received the prestigious Chevalier knighthood from the Pope, recognizing his exceptional services.
Philip's illustrious career of sixty-five years encompassed teaching, practice, and institution-building, significantly contributing to the evolution of India's management education. He was instrumental in shaping institutions like XLRI and later led IIM Bangalore, turning it around from its challenges to restore its reputation for high-quality scholarship.
In 1991, fulfilling a promise to his late daughter, Philip founded the Xavier Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (XIME) in Bangalore. This entrepreneurial venture, supported by his idealism and energy, has since expanded with campuses in Kochi and Chennai, producing hundreds of graduates annually.
Beyond his own institutions, Philip was a driving force behind the Indian Management Schools Association and other key bodies, advocating for management education's advancement. He remained a passionate teacher until his last days, emphasizing practical, thought-leader inspired approaches.
Philip also established Xavier International School in his native Kerala in 2024, a model residential school designed to provide foundational knowledge and liberal education. His passing is mourned by a vast network of former students and colleagues.
