Professor Alok Kumar Rai emphasized the significance of enhancing academia-industry collaboration

Professor Alok Kumar Rai, the Director of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, conducted an insightful session entitled ‘Academia-Industry Synergy in a Transforming Economy: Challenges and Opportunities’ at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce. He shared valuable perspectives on leadership, innovation, academic excellence, and the future trajectory of management education in India.

Prof. Rai stressed the significance of integration, inclusion, innovation, internationalisation, and Indianness in developing institutions that are globally relevant and in preparing business leaders for the future. Prof. Rai asserted that management education needs to progress beyond conventional classroom instruction to become more responsive to industry needs, driven by innovation, and connected globally.

He highlighted the necessity of closing the divide between academic research and the practical demands of the industry through collaborative research, internships, skill-based learning, entrepreneurship, and the integration of technology.