8th PAN IIM World Management Conference Kicks-off

KOZHIKODE:
The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode witnessed a grand virtual inaugural ceremony yesterday, of the two of the much anticipated international conferences – the 8th PAN IIM World Management Conference and the 2nd edition of International Conclave on Globalizing Indian Thought 2021. Prof. Peter M. Senge, Faculty Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) & Prof. Tarun Khanna, Harvard Business School (USA) graced the occasion as the 25-year IIM in Kerala launched its three-day intensive congregation on global management practices, scheduled from 16-18 December 2021. The conference will be conducted entirely online due to prevailing COVID 19 situation and safety protocols.

Pan-IIM World Management Conference (WMC) is conceived to be the biggest celebration of ideas in management collectively organized by Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) every year. The WMC aims at bringing together global scholars to one of the fastest growing economies of the world to deliberate on issues that would impact global management thought and practice in the years to come. Initiated in 2013, IIM Kozhikode is hosting the event for the second time (2014). ‘Responsible Business for Sustainable Development’ is the theme of the Conference in 2021, which will see participation from all the 20 IIMs of the country.

The International Conclave on ‘Globalizing Indian Thought’ (GIT 2021) is IIM Kozhikode’s signature conclave. With the opportunity for inquisitive and keen thinkers across professions and vocations to deliberate on ageless Indian wisdom. This forum is a meeting ground of contemporary challenges and wholesome lessons from the past and future. The inaugural edition of the GIT (2020) was inaugurated by hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2020, when he also unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at IIMK.

Prof. Tarun Khanna, who is also a best-selling author, recounted his academic journey over the years that landed him in Harvard and how his drive to uncover marginalized talent taught him many humanistic values and passionate lessons. He argued for the need to make ‘Innovation’ the core of all academic activities in his Keynote Address and noted that the society suffers if the right talent is not discovered and nurtured. He shared his experience of working with the Government of India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the success of the tinkering labs based out of rural schools.

Prof. Peter M. Senge, an accomplished author of the best-selling book ‘The Fifth Discipline’, and the Guest of Honour addressed the gathering of scholars, researchers, faculty and students on the need to develop a compassionate system with profound interconnectedness as the core idea of future of education.

Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, Conference Patron PAN IIM 2021 & Conference Chair GIT 2021 welcomed participants from 20 IIMs and encouraged the gathering to lead the charge in dismantling an outdated 19th century model of education and relay the foundation for a 21st century India, driven by Indian thoughts and ideas. He emphasized that Management is India’s soft power and that IIMs should claim legitimate spaces in the global world order of foremost centers of knowledge.

Pro. Anandakuttan Unnithan, Dean (faculty) IIM Kozhikode walked the gathering through the interesting panel discussions, special events which will witness experts from leading global Business Schools, 500+ scholars in management discipline, leading international thinkers, global scholars, policy makers, leaders from Indian industry, game-changing innovators who would share Indian management thinking and how it can impact global businesses. Prof. G Sridhar, Dean (Executive Education) proposed the vote of thanks on the occasion and emphasized on valuing Indian Thoughts with its deep rooted ancient wisdom holds the key to the 21st century businesses.