BOARDROOM'S CLASS ACT

B-SCHOOLS ARE INCREASINGLY ENGAGING WITH INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES TO GIVE THEIR STUDENTS A TASTE OF THE WORLD BEYOND CLASSROOMS

- BY K. GIRIPRAKASH

INDIA'S BUSINESS SCHOOLS are reshaping classrooms. This time, the change is not being driven by new syllabi, case studies, or international tie-ups, but by something more fundamental: the presence of industry leaders themselves. For years, India's management schools have received accolades for their academic rigour but also faced criticism for being too theoretical. That theoretical-practical divide is now rapidly closing.

“Management education needs to be relevant to real-world practices,” says Mukta Kulkarni, Director of Programs at IIM Bangalore. “We proactively invite industry leaders (across renewable energy, biotech, fintech, AI and machine learning, aerospace, EV, cybersecurity, space technology) in our classrooms.”

Kulkarni says this creates a more engaging learning environment and a more direct connection between academia and the workplace. Students can learn directly from industry leaders who drive market dynamics. “For students, it’s an amazing chance to hear real stories that connect what they learn in the class to how things work in the real world,” says Kulkarni. “They get to listen to firsthand experiences about leadership, strategy, and overcoming challenges from people across fields, which not only helps them understand better but also inspires them.”

These sessions are not simply inspirational, however. Often, they serve as the foundation for mentorship opportunities, internships, and job prospects for students. For CXOs, they provide an opportunity to reflect and distil lessons learnt over decades of experience and understand how the next generation views business, purpose, and leadership.