Bridging academia and industry: IIM Shillong’s CXO Round Table meet in Mumbai

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 1, 2023

IIM Shillong hosted the 2nd CXO Round Table Meet in Mumbai, bringing together a distinguished panel of industry leaders, academicians, and stakeholders for an insightful discussion. IIM Shillong, an institution of National Importance and the only IIM in the entire Northeastern region, was established in 2008 and intends to celebrate its 15 years of
unwavering commitment to excellence with the theme “Reconnect, Reflect, and Reimagine.” To commemorate this significant milestone, IIM Shillong will host a series of conclaves across the country that started in Delhi on October 15, 2023.

The CXO Roundtable and Stakeholder meet are planned to “Reconnect” with valued industry partners who have placed their trust since inception. Their encouragement and constructive feedback have been instrumental in refining the education curriculum, equipping future graduates to become invaluable contributors in the ever-evolving business landscape. Through this event, it is a time to “Reflect” on the pivotal role management education has played in fueling the growth and fortification of the Indian business sector. Furthermore, the institute intends to “Reimagine” the future of business management by engaging in enlightening dialogues with distinguished educationists, industry partners, and stakeholders. These discussions revolved around the profound shifts that technology, societal dynamics, and evolving aspirations are instigating in how businesses should be structured and managed.

Industry leaders, alumni, and academicians noted the emergence of the latest concepts in industries, which they said should be integrated into the curriculum of the top management schools to prepare students for the future. IIM Shillong alumni actively participated in the panel discussion, contributing insightful questions and sharing their valuable experiences, creating a dynamic and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. With the central theme of the discussion on Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) in the corporate world, the panel explored strategies and best practices for fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces, recognizing the significance of these principles in today’s business landscape.

The CXO Round Table Meet provided a unique platform for knowledge exchange and networking, allowing leaders from different domains to connect, share insights, and collaborate on the challenges and opportunities posed by the digital era.

Inaugurating the Round Table Meet, Atul Kulkarni, Member of the Board of Governors of IIM Shillong, expressed the institution’s commitment to reconnecting with industry partners who have placed their trust in IIM Shillong’s educational journey. Kulkarni, highlighted several noteworthy initiatives undertaken in recent years. He emphasized the global recognition these initiatives have garnered and mentioned that IIM Shillong was one of only three management institutions to participate in the prestigious Vaibhav Summit, a special initiative led by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kulkarni acknowledged the significant responsibility that IIM Shillong holds for the Northeastern region and its potential to contribute to the South Asian nations. He also mentioned the institute’s engagements with various state governments, including the establishment of a satellite center in Tawang, expressing gratitude to all involved in making these endeavors possible.

Prof. DP Goyal, Director of IIM Shillong, welcomed all stakeholders and panelists and expressed his gratitude to all who have contributed to the 15-year journey of IIM Shillong. During his address, Professor DP Goyal highlighted the crucial need for insights from corporate leaders regarding course curriculum design, teaching methodologies, and pedagogy. He stressed the urgency of a substantial transformation in content, delivery methods, and evaluation processes, noting the global paradigm shift in education. Professor Goyal highlighted the importance of learning from industry leaders to identify and incorporate the necessary changes into educational practices.

The panel places a paramount focus on strengthening industry-academia engagements and discusses the areas that institutions like IIM should prioritize in developing new courses to ensure their graduates are industry-ready. Amit Thawani, Managing Director & Head of Investment Banking at Nomura Financial Advisory & Securities (India) Pvt. Ltd, underscores the significance of new companies achieving high EBITDA margins by solving complex engineering problems in the automotive sector. He emphasizes the role of community in evolving the right knowledge context and suggests that students engage more with the industry to create value during their two years of study. The panel also highlights the need for a greater emphasis on research and development as a critical bottleneck. Kunjvihari Jandhyala, Head of Strategic HR & Organization Effectiveness at The Tata Power Company Ltd, identifies technology and sustainability as the two primary drivers of transformation, emphasizing the continuous knowledge upgrading of both students and employees in response to rapidly changing market dynamics. Anuj Jain, Managing Director & CEO of Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd., emphasizes the importance of technology adoption and innovation across all levels of employment, advocating for live projects involving IIM students.

Ajay Patil, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Cummins India, underscores the necessity of teamwork and strong ecosystems for implementing great ideas effectively. Amarnath Saxena, President & National Head of Corporate Business at Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, highlights the importance of digital literacy in creating more proficient employees. The panel collectively conveys that attributes such as discipline, adaptability, commitment to ethics, a desire to disrupt the system, and a focus on delivering value to customers will be critical qualities for future employees.

The Stakeholder meet in Mumbai signifies the importance of its alumni community, with hundreds of alumni participating in commemorating IIM Shillong’s 15-year journey in the field of management education. The 2nd IIM Shillong CXO Round Table Meet was a landmark event that successfully bridged the worlds of industry expertise and academic excellence. It served as an enriching experience that highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between academia and industry in shaping the future of business and management. Contributed