Pune: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu hosted the Pune Roundtable Conference at Hotel Blue Diamond, Pune, bringing together policymakers, academic leaders, and top industry professionals.
The conference focused on building stronger academia-industry collaboration, addressing workforce evolution, and harnessing technology-driven education to prepare students for future employment.
The Pune Roundtable Conference was inaugurated by Padmashri Dr Milind Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, and Prof B S Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. The inauguration featured a lamp-lighting ceremony and an introductory presentation on IIM Jammu’s growth and initiatives. Eminent industry dignitaries were present to mark the beginning of the event.
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Thought Leadership on Academia-Industry Collaboration
In his keynote address, Dr Milind P Kamble highlighted that the Pune Roundtable Conference reflects IIM Jammu’s mission to drive purposeful collaboration between academia and industry. He underlined the need for joint efforts on key issues such as climate change, digital transformation, and equitable growth.
Board member and Managing Partner of Chitale Bandhu, Indraneel Chitale, emphasized that such platforms allow the exchange of practical knowledge, innovative ideas, and diverse perspectives. He reiterated that IIM Jammu is committed to preparing students who can contribute meaningfully to sustainable growth and global leadership.
Prof. B.S. Sahay stressed the institute’s focus on combining academic excellence with real-world exposure. He highlighted initiatives such as Project YUVA, launched in collaboration with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, which fosters entrepreneurship and job creation. He urged participants to align their goals with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
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Insights from Academic Leaders
Chairperson of Placements at IIM Jammu, Dr Mahesh Gadekar, stated that the Pune Roundtable Conference has created new avenues for collaboration between academia and industry. Co-Chairperson, Placements, Dr Baljeet Singh, noted that the event provided crucial insights into emerging industry trends and corporate engagement opportunities.
Panel Discussions at Pune Roundtable Conference
The Pune Roundtable Conference featured three high-level panel discussions:
- Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow: What Industry Looks for in Young Talent – moderated by Sfurti Patkar, Head of Strategy, Mercedes Benz, with panelists from Siemens, Varian, Synechron, Vodafone, Belrise Industries, FORVIA, Cummins Inc., and Startek.
- The Power of Networking: How Industry Interactions Can Open Doors – moderated by Vikram Jeet Bhayana, Associate Senior VP & Head of Marketing, Bajaj Allianz, with participation from senior leaders representing Tata Motors, EY, Zywave, Icertis, Ringfeder, and other organizations.
- Learning Beyond Books: Role of Industry to Make Education More Practical – moderated by Sudhanshu Tripathi, CMO & Head ESG, Quick Heal, featuring leaders from Rheinmetall, UBS, TCS, Marsh McLennan, Mastercard, Cummins India, Mondelez International, and Umicore.
Outcome of Pune Roundtable Conference
The Pune Roundtable Conference concluded with a strong call for actionable partnerships between academic institutions and corporate leaders. The event reinforced IIM Jammu’s commitment to fostering innovation, strengthening student preparedness, and shaping the future of education and professional development.
