IIM Jammu hosted a landmark Roundtable Conference on 15th Nov 2024 at Crowne Plaza, Gurugram bringing together policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. The event focused on strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, addressing workforce evolution, and leveraging technology to prepare students for future employment. The conference began with participant registration, a lamp lighting ceremony, and an introductory video of IIM Jammu, setting the stage for insightful discussions.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu in presence of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu and Soma Mondal, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu and Ex-Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited.

Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of discussions like the Roundtable Conference in shaping the future of education and industry. He noted that the event reflects IIM Jammu's commitment to bridging academic learning with industry practices, fostering innovation, and preparing for the rapidly evolving global economy. Highlighting the need for impactful collaborations, he urged industry leaders to work closely with T-schools and B-schools to address critical challenges such as climate change and develop sustainable solutions. He further encouraged academic institutions to organize similar roundtables, which serve as vital platforms for uniting diverse perspectives, driving innovation, and addressing global issues comprehensively.

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, emphasized the institute's rapid growth and its commitment to bridging academic learning with real-world application through strong industry partnerships. He highlighted the importance of these collaborations in shaping education and producing graduates who are both intellectually prepared and industry ready. He expressed optimism about India’s vision to become a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and outlined the role of initiatives like Project YUVA, in collaboration with the Govt. of J&K, in promoting employment through entrepreneurship. He urged everyone to align personal goals with national development.

Soma Mondal, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Jammu, and Former Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited, during her address, acknowledged Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, for conceptualizing the initiative of organizing Roundtables. She shared her extensive experiences and emphasized that IIM Jammu is fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, shaping future leaders to drive meaningful change across industries while adopting the best practices from leading business schools. She further highlighted the significance of platforms like the Roundtable Conferences which facilitate collaboration and the exchange of ideas to tackle emerging challenges and opportunities in education and industry.

The Gurugram Roundtable Conference held on 15th Nov 2024 featured three insightful panel discussions that brought together industry leaders and experts to address critical issues shaping the workforce of tomorrow.

The first panel discussion, "Creating a Future-Ready Workforce: Strategies for Adaptation and Resilience," was moderated by Soma Mondal, Member BoG, IIM Jammu and Ex-Chairman, Steel Authority of India Limited. She emphasized adaptability and digital transformation as key to preparing a future-ready workforce. The panel included Nagendra Kumar, Head-HR, Max Healthcare; Anjali Dutta, VP – Head of Digital Studio- (CX + EX + BRAND Ops), Tech Mahindra; Shveta Verma, Inclusion & Diversity Leader-India and APAC, PwC India; Brish Bhan Vaidya, Head of APAC Strategic Sourcing and Global Buying Center, Uber; Parived Bhatnagar, Director, HR, Accenture; Brij Nandan Yadava, COO, Hero Realty Pvt. Ltd. who discussed strategies for agility, digital literacy, and resilience.

The second panel discussion, "Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Strategies for Inclusive Leadership," was moderated by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. He highlighted the importance of inclusive leadership for innovation and long-term success. The second panel featured Chandraprakash Jain, Vice President-HR Operations, Teleperformance; Chhitiz Kumar, VP Health Systems, Philips; Vidhi Trehan, Vice President-Head Learning & Development Evalueserve; Sudhir Dasamantharao, Senior Director, Head-Global Business Services & Chief Transformation Leader-APAC, Boston Scientific; Piyush Jain, Executive Creative Director, Grey Group; Sonia Luthra, Associate Director- National Talent Acquisition Lead for Tax, PWC India; and Arvind Gulati, Senior Director, Ola Electric; who discussed strategies for fostering diversity, breaking barriers, and promoting inclusive growth.

The third panel discussion, "Leadership in Digital Transformation," was moderated by Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Associate Professor, IT Systems and Analytics, IIM Jammu. He stressed that breaking leadership barriers and fostering inclusivity are key to unlocking organizational potential. The panel included Chetna Munshi, Director, Global DEI Learning Lead, Ericsson, Monika Garg, Associate Director Global HR Operations Support, Fresenius Medical Care, Dr. Lalit Kanodia, VP-Hospitals & Corporate Services, Tata1mg; Saket Singh, VP-Operations, Brookfield Properties; Mohammed Danish, Marketing Director, Asia-Pacific, Siemens Digital Industries Software; Mudit Yadav, Senior Management Consultant, Avalon Consulting, Mayank Chandna, National Key Account Manager, Zomato; and Ms.Geetika Kwatra, Associate VP, Natwest Group. Each discussion provided valuable insights on the future of work and the importance of inclusivity, offering participants actionable strategies to navigate the evolving corporate landscape.

Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Chairperson Placements, IIM Jammu, in the beginning gave an overview into Roundtable Conference by outlining its objectives and setting the stage for the engaging panel discussions. The event culminated with the National Anthem, followed by lunch and networking session, fostering collaboration and idea exchange. Dr. Baljeet Singh, Co-Chairperson, IIM Jammu, proposed the vote of thanks.

The Gurugram 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.