IIM Jammu Hosts Pune Roundtable Conference on Academia-Industry Link

The Indian Institute of Management Jammu hosted a landmark Pune  Roundtable Conference on 13th Sept 2025 at Hotel Blue Diamond, Pune bringing together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. The Roundtable Conference focused on strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, addressing workforce evolution, and leveraging technology to prepare students for future employment.  

The Pune Roundtable Conference was inaugurated and graced by Padmashri Dr. Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, Shri Indraneel Chitale, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu and Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, along with other eminent dignitaries from the industry. The event commenced with participant registration, a lamp-lighting ceremony, and an introductory video on IIM Jammu, setting the tone for a series of insightful discussions. 

Padmashri Dr. Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, in his address, emphasized that the Pune Roundtable Conference represents a significant step in IIM Jammu’s efforts to foster purposeful collaboration between academia and industry. He noted that in today’s fast-evolving global landscape, academic institutions must not operate in silos but engage proactively with industry leaders to co-create solutions that are innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. He highlighted that such platforms are instrumental in aligning education with the needs of the economy, preparing students for emerging challenges, and driving national development. He further urged both academic and industry stakeholders to work together on areas of critical importance such as climate change, digital transformation, and equitable growth, reiterating that the strength of such partnerships lies in their ability to bring diverse perspectives to a common table. He concluded by underlining that such joint efforts will play a pivotal role in realizing the clarion call of Viksit Bharat 2047 given by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.

Shri Indraneel Chitale, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, and Managing Partner at Chitale Bandhu remarked that the Pune Roundtable Conference exemplifies how academic institutions and industry leaders can come together to shape the future of management education. He stressed that such platforms enable the exchange of fresh ideas, practical knowledge, and diverse perspectives that are crucial for preparing students to meet the dynamic demands of the corporate world. He further emphasized that bridging the gap between theory and practice will create leaders who are not only academically sound but also industry-ready, innovative, and socially responsible. He reaffirmed that IIM Jammu, with the active support and vision of its Board of Governors, is committed to nurturing talent that can drive sustainable growth, contribute meaningfully to nation-building, and position India as a hub of global leadership excellence.

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, in his address underscored the Institute’s impressive growth journey and its steadfast focus on integrating academic excellence with practical, real-world exposure through strong industry linkages. He stressed that such partnerships are vital in creating a dynamic and future-ready education ecosystem, one that nurtures graduates who are both intellectually robust and industry-prepared. Reflecting on India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, he emphasized the significance of initiatives like Project YUVA, launched in collaboration with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in fostering employment generation through entrepreneurship. He urged all stakeholders to align their personal and institutional aspirations with the broader mission of national growth and nation building. He reiterated that IIM Jammu has achieved the rare distinction of securing two prestigious international accreditations, BGA Institutional Accreditation and EFMD Programme Accreditation for its MBA program, in the same year. He highlighted that this milestone places IIM Jammu among the top five IIMs nationwide and makes it the only second-and third-generation IIM to hold both rare achievements, reinforcing its position as an emerging global hub of excellence in management education. 

Dr. Mahesh Gadekar, Chairperson Placement, IIM Jammu, stated that the Pune Roundtable Conference has opened new avenues for industry and academia collaboration. He emphasized that such interactions are vital in aligning student aspirations with the evolving needs of the corporate world.

Dr. Baljeet Singh, Co-Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu, mentioned that the Pune Roundtable Conference provided valuable insights into emerging industry trends. He added that such dialogues play a pivotal role in enhancing student preparedness and strengthening corporate engagement with IIM Jammu.

The Pune Roundtable Conference held on 13th Sept 2025 featured three insightful panel discussions that brought together industry leaders and experts to address critical issues shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

The first panel was on the topic “Shaping the Leaders of Tomorrow: What Industry Looks for in Young Talent” and was moderated by Ms. Sfurti Patkar, Head of Strategy, Mercedes Benz. The panel featured a distinguished set of industry leaders who shared their perspectives on the skills and attributes required in future leaders. Eminent panelists included Mr. Ayan Bose, Director of Architecture, Siemens; Mr. Prasad Kabbur, Managing Director, Varian (India); Mr. Ajeet Shirsat, Associate Director - HR, Synechron; Mr. Pankaj Khandelwal, Vice President HR, Vodafone Intelligent Systems; Ms. Diana Louis, General Manager Group HR, Belrise Industries Limited; Ms. Surupa Pattnaik, Talent Management Strategist, FORVIA; Mr. Karan Bakshi, Director TA - India & Pacific Region, Cummins Inc.; and Mr. Hari Prasad N, Vice President and Global Head of Marketing, Startek.

The second panel featured the topic "The Power of Networking: How Industry Interactions Can Open Doors" and brought together seasoned professionals who emphasized the importance of networking in fostering opportunities and collaborations. Mr. Vikram Jeet Bhayana, Associate Senior VP & Head of Marketing at Bajaj Allianz, moderated the panel. The eminent panelists included, Mr. Biswajit Ghosh, Head of HR, Leoni Wiring Systems (Pune) Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Mahendra Phanse, DGM - IR & Personnel, Ringfeder; Mr. Lalitendu Samanta, Head HR, Belrise Industries Limited; Mr. Abhinav Mishra, Head - Talent Acquisition, Icertis; Mr. Kapil K., Talent Acquisition Leader, NCS Group; Mr. Vinay Chetlur, Business Transformation, Tata Motors; Mr. Nakul Sharma, Associate Director, EY; Mr. Sameer Amte, Managing Director, A & M; Ms. Ancy Nimsha Sreenivasan, Head of People and Culture, Zywave.

The third featured the topic “Learning Beyond Books: Role of Industry to Make Education More Practical” and highlighted the importance of industry’s role in bridging the gap between academia and practice, moderated by Mr. Sudhanshu Tripathi, CMO & Head

ESG, Quick Heal. The distinguished panellists included industry leaders ranging from Mr. Pramey Zode, General Manager, ECOMES; Mr. Abhey Kalia, CEO - Business Unit Bearings – India, Rheinmetall; Mr. Praful Goyal, Director, Marsh McLennan; Mr. Sushil Ghorpade, Head of Resource Management Group, Fulcrum Digital; Mr. Ashutosh Bhatawadekar, CIO Advisory, Engagement Director, TCS; Ms. Nisha Batra, Director Group Functions, Chief of Staff - India & APAC, UBS; Mr. Sumeet Saroj Pattnaik, Head - Talent and OD, Premium Transmission Ltd; Mr. Sunil Patil, Director, Mastercard; Ms. Neha Kulkarni Mungale, HR Lead, PSBU Engineering, Cummins India; Mr. Siddhant Khadke Procurement Manager, Mondelez International; and Mr. Abhishek Kulkarni, Head of People and Organization, India, CHRO, Umicore.

The event culminated with the National Anthem. Present on the occasion were Dr. Baljeet Singh, Co-Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu, along with industry experts and students from the Industry Interaction Cell and Placement Committee of IIM Jammu.

The Pune Roundtable Conference further strengthened academia-industry collaboration, paving the way for actionable outcomes benefiting students and the corporate world. IIM Jammu remains committed to fostering partnerships that drive innovation and shape the future of education and professional development