IIM Jammu Hosts Roundtable in Pune To Boost Academia-Industry Collaboration

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu held a Roundtable Conference at Hotel Conrad, Pune, focusing on the theme "Fostering Academia and Industry Partnership: The Way Ahead” on February 21, 2024. The premier forum brought together policymakers, academic professionals, and industry leaders. The conference aimed to explore innovative ways of fostering collaboration between academia and industry, addressing the evolving nature of work, and leveraging technology to equip students with the necessary skills for future employment.

The main highlight of the event was the presence of Chief Guest, Chandrakant Dada Patil, Minister of Education, Government of Maharashtra, alongside Guest of Honor, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice President, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, who both graced the ceremony.

The inaugural and valedictory sessions were graced by Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu; Shrikant Badve, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu; and B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. The conference also saw participation from several industry and academic thought leaders.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Ashok W. Kakade (IAS), Managing Director, SARTHI, Pune and Shri Kailash Zanzari, Head of Manufacturing, Bajaj Auto;  Rajesh Pande, Advisory Council Member, SPPU Pune and Chairman, National Yuva Cooperative Society was present during the ceremony.

The first panel discussion, titled “Fostering Academia-Industry Partnership,” was moderated by Shrikant Badve, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu. The panel featured interesting line-up, including Ramakrishnan Raman, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International University; Hrishikesh Dhande, Head of Education Alliances, TCS; Prashant Girbane, Director General of MCCIA; Jugal Bhutada, Zonal Head, ICICI Bank Pune; and Kailash Zanzari, Head of Manufacturing, Bajaj Auto. The panellists emphasised that robust academia-industry partnerships are crucial for addressing skill gaps and fostering innovation, commending IIM Jammu’s initiatives to ensure its students are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to the workforce.

The second panel, titled “Navigating the Future of Work: Integrating AI, Ethical Practices and Human-Centric Skills,” was moderated by Nitin Upadhyay, Chairperson, MBA programme, IIM Jammu. Panellists included Dinanath Kholkar, Independent Advisor and Former SVP, TCS; Deepak Shikarpur, Director, Kinetic Communications; Sudhir Chikhale, Purchase Head, Tata Passenger EV; H. P. Shrivastava, Founder, DCCIA; and Sagar Wayangankar, AVP and Business Unit Head, Yazaki India. They discussed how organisations can adopt AI while maintaining ethical standards. The panel stressed that as AI shapes the future of work, it is crucial to balance technological advancement with human-centric values to ensure sustainable development.

The third panel discussion, titled “The Role of Corporates under NEP 2020,” was moderated by B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu and featured a diverse lineup of panellists, including Arvind Natu, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IISER Pune; Prachi Pathak, Senior Consultant/Director of Product Management, Dell Technologies; Abhijit Puri, Senior Director, LTIMindtree; Bharat Gite, MD & CEO, Tarual India; and Milind Pande, Pro Vice Chancellor, MITWPU, Pune. The discussion focused on strengthening research and enhancing corporate involvement in academia, with panellists highlighting the critical role that corporations play in shaping industry-relevant curricula.

During the event, the Audiovisual of IIM Jammu was showcased, highlighting the institute's state-of-the-art facilities and initiatives. The event concluded with a grand valedictory session and vote of thanks by Shrikant Badve, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu. Present during the inaugural ceremony were Nitin Upadhyay, Chairperson, MBA, IIM Jammu and Baljeet Singh, Co-Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu. Also present on the occasion were the Alumni of IIM Jammu on the momentous occasion. The event culminated with the National Anthem, followed by dinner and a networking session, which allowed participants to further explore collaborative opportunities and exchange ideas.

The Pune Roundtable conference marked a milestone in strengthening the collaboration between academia and industry and the insights shared would pave the way for actionable outcomes benefiting both students and the corporate world. IIM Jammu remains dedicated to fostering academia-industry partnerships that will shape the future of education and professional development. The Roundtable Conference underscores the institute’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence in both academic and industry spheres.