Fostering Academia and Industry Partnerships – The Way Ahead: IIM Jammu hosts Roundtable Conference at Pune

Pune, 21st September 2024: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu held a landmark Roundtable Conference focusing on the theme ‘Fostering Academia and Industry Partnership: The Way Ahead.’ 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 Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of Maharashtra, along with Guest of Honor Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Vice President of Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, who graced the occasion during the valedictory ceremony.

The inaugural and valedictory sessions were also graced by Dr. Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, Shrikant Badve, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu and Rajesh Pandey Advisory Council member – SPPU, Pune & Chairman National Yuva Cooperative Society also Present at the occasion. The conference also saw participation from several industry and academic thought leaders.

In his address, Chandrakant Patil, emphasized the critical role of educational institutions in aligning their curricula with the needs of the industry. He noted that institutions like IIM Jammu play a pivotal role not only in imparting academic knowledge but also in preparing students to meet the dynamic demands of the industry. He commended IIM Jammu’s innovative approach, which ensures that its graduates are future-ready and equipped to drive the nation’s growth.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, in his address, stressed the importance of leadership and ethical practices in navigating the future of work. He emphasized that the integration of technology must be balanced with human-centric values. He praised IIM Jammu’s exemplary efforts in fostering ethical leadership and equipping students with the necessary tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world. According to him, collaboration between academia and industry is crucial for sustainable development.

Dr. Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, highlighted the significance of such discussions for the future of education and industry. He stated that the Roundtable Conference represents IIM Jammu’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry practices. He further pointed out that these discussions are essential for continued innovation and adaptation to the fast-changing needs of the global economy. He reaffirmed IIM Jammu’s commitment to driving impactful collaborations that benefit both students and industry partners.

Shrikant Badve, Member of the Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, emphasized the importance of continuous academia-industry engagement. He highlighted that platforms like the roundtable conference are crucial for fostering collaboration, aligning goals, and driving innovation, ultimately contributing to the development of future-ready talent and enterprises.

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, reaffirmed the institute’s unwavering commitment to bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world application through strong partnerships with industry. He stressed that such collaborations are essential in shaping the future of education and ensuring that students are equipped with both a solid academic foundation and the practical skills necessary to thrive in the professional world. He highlighted that IIM Jammu’s approach is designed to produce graduates who are intellectually prepared and industry-ready, capable of meeting the evolving demands of today’s workforce.

The first panel discussion, titled “Fostering Academia-Industry Partnership,” was moderated by Shrikant Badve, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu. The panel included notable personalities such as Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Hrishikesh Dhande, Head, Education Alliances, TCS, Prashant Girbane, Director General, MCCIA; Rajendra Nimbalkar, IAS, Managing Director, MSSIDC; and Kailash Zanzari, Head Manufacturing, Bajaj Auto Ltd. Panelists agreed that strong academia-industry partnerships are essential for addressing skill gaps and fostering innovation. They highlighted IIM Jammu’s efforts in ensuring that its students are well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the workforce.

The second panel, on the topic “Navigating the Future of Work: Integrating Al, Ethical Practices, and Human-Centric Skills, Panelists such as Dinanath Kholkar, Independent Advisor and Former SVP at TCS; Deepak Shikarpur, Director, Kinetic Communications Ltd., Sudhir Chikhale, Purchase Head, Tata Passenger EV; and H. P. Shrivastava, Founder of DCCIA, discussed how organizations can adopt Al while maintaining ethical standards. The panel stressed that as Al 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 Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, and featured esteemed panelists such as Arvind Natu, Chairman, Board of Governors, IISER Pune; Ajit Ranade, Former Vice Chancellor, Gokhale Institute; Manasi Patil, HR, KPIT, Bharat Gite, MD & CEO, Tarual India, and Bharat Agarwal, President, VIT. The discussion centered on corporate involvement in academia, with panelists noting the critical role corporations play in shaping industry-relevant curricula.

The event concluded with a grand valedictory session.