The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu held a roundtable conference on Saturday, focusing on the theme “Fostering Academia and Industry Partnerships – The Way Ahead.” The event brought together academics, industry experts, and other key stakeholders to discuss how academic programs can better align with industry needs. The goal was to ensure that graduates are well-prepared for the workforce.
Prof B S Sahay, Director of IIM Jammu, delivered the keynote address. He emphasized the importance of partnerships between academia and industry in shaping the future of education. Prof Sahay pointed out that IIM Jammu is committed to blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills. He explained that the institute’s collaborations with industry are designed to prepare students not just academically, but also for the practical demands of the workforce.
Prof Jabir Ali, Dean of Academics at IIM Jammu, also spoke at the event. He highlighted the institute’s efforts to bridge the gap between education and industry expectations. He mentioned that the curriculum is continuously updated to include insights from the industry, ensuring that students gain the skills needed to succeed in their careers.
Dr Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Chairperson of Placements at IIM Jammu, emphasized the importance of the Roundtable Conference as a platform for enhancing collaboration between academia and industry. She noted that such partnerships are crucial for improving the employability and skills of future graduates.
The conference featured three interactive panel discussions, each focused on a different aspect of the academia-industry partnership. The first panel, titled “Mentoring for Success: Increasing Involvement of Industry Mentors in Shaping MBA Graduates’ Careers,” discussed the key role that industry mentors play in guiding MBA graduates. The panelists talked about how to enhance mentor engagement, build strong mentor-mentee relationships, and align mentorship with industry needs. They also highlighted the importance of mentors being approachable and understanding of their mentees’ unique perspectives. Additionally, they stressed that mentoring should go beyond just technical skills to include soft skills for overall development.
The second panel, “Cultivating Industry-Ready Leaders and Managers for Long-Term Employability,” focused on the need to prepare emerging professionals with the skills and competencies required for long-term success. The panelists emphasized the integration of real-world experiences, continuous learning, and practical leadership skills into education and professional development. They also discussed the importance of training new hires in basic business operations and teaching them to work effectively across diverse cultural backgrounds. Anticipating future industry trends and incorporating relevant skills into programs was also emphasized.
The third and final session, “Inculcating Corporate Citizenry Amongst MBA Students,” centered on the importance of instilling responsibility and ethical awareness in future business leaders. The panel discussed how MBA programs can include principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, and ethical decision-making in their curricula. The panelists stressed the need to cultivate basic civic awareness and individual social responsibility in students, which serves as a foundation for corporate social responsibility. They also noted that fostering responsible behavior and CSR should start from an early age.
