Advancing Management Education: Master School of Management Pioneers Industry-Academia Synergy at Perpetuum 2025

India, 18th March, 2025: The Master School of Management (MSM), in collaboration with the Association of Indian Management Schools (AIMS), successfully hosted the 35th Annual Management Education Convention, centred around the theme Perpetuum—Aviral, Advitiya & Anant, bringing together some of the most distinguished minds shaping the future of management education in India.

Renowned Professors from IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Indore, IIM Udaipur, ISB Hyderabad, IIT Roorkee, IMT Hyderabad, University of Southampton Delhi, University of Mumbai, OP Jindal Global University, Jaipuria Institute of Management, and the University of Delhi, were among the 50+ distinguished experts who participated, reinforcing the convention’s stature as a premier platform for dialogue between all the stakeholders of the management education.

The convention was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Bijay Sahoo, Group President – Strategic HR, Reliance Industries Limited, who spoke on AI’s impact on business and education. He highlighted how AI enhances productivity and transforms human-machine collaboration, using Hindu mythology to illustrate its dual potential to serve or be misused. 

Shri Sudhir Sharma, President of AIMS & Founder of MSM, then introduced the theme, “Perpetuum,” emphasising its significance in continuous learning and innovation. He assured that AIMS would form an expert committee to examine the convention’s recommendations and engage with policymakers for implementation. The convention featured ten high-impact panel discussions aimed at driving innovation and reform in management studies.

Through dynamic discussions, Perpetuum 2025 served as a vital bridge between academic excellence and industrial innovation, enabling engagement with the luminaries, including renowned professors, policymakers, institutional leaders, corporate leaders, startup founders, and thought leaders.

Official spokesperson of AIMS, Prof. Parag Kalkar, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University & Treasurer of AIMS, said, “Perpetuum 2025 is a testament to the growing synergy between academia and industry. As management education evolves, it is crucial to create platforms that foster innovation and leadership development. Established in 1988, AIMS has been instrumental in advancing management education and facilitating collaboration among institutions. With a robust network of over 640 member B-schools across India and internationally, we continue to serve as a vital hub for knowledge exchange and academic excellence, ensuring that management education remains dynamic and future-ready.”

Prof. Vidushi Sharma, Dean – Academics & Corporate Relations, Master School of Management (MSM), said, “At MSM, we are committed to equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical insights to prepare them for dynamic business environments. Perpetuum 2025 provided an exceptional platform for thought leaders and learners to come together, ensuring that management education remains relevant, future-ready, and impactful. Since our establishment in 1996, MSM has been a center for quality higher education, offering diverse programs backed by AICTE approval. By leveraging the expertise and network of renowned academicians, we provide a holistic and industry-oriented learning experience that empowers our students for the future.” MSM offers a range of programs, including PGDM, MBA, BBA, BCom (Hons), BCA, and BAJMC. 

One of the key highlights of the convention was the conferring of the prestigious Ravi J. Matthai National Fellowship Award upon Prof. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director General, IILM Lodi Road & Alternate President, EPSI India, to recognise and reward his outstanding contributions to management education. 

Dr. Subhranshu Acharya, Chairman & Managing Director of The National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. and Chief Guest of the Valedictory Session, delivered an inspiring address on the essence of management and leadership. He emphasised that management is a blend of experiences, a relentless desire to excel, and the mindset that every opportunity could be the last. Through a compelling anecdote of a tea server who, despite his humble role, demonstrated dedication, commitment, and excellence, he illustrated that true leadership is reflected in even the smallest of actions. His words underscored the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and value-driven leadership in shaping future business leaders.

The Convention’s Director, Prof. R.P. Juyal, introduced the theme Perpetuum and its subthemes. He emphasised that these themes emerged from extensive discussions with key stakeholders in management education, including academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and students. He noted that these deliberations have been documented for future reference.

The Co-Convenor of the Convention, Prof. Mohit Sati, Dean of Admissions of MSM, emphasised the event’s role as a transformative platform for academia, industry, and policymakers. Highlighting the evolution of management education, the address stressed the importance of collaborative learning, research-driven pedagogy, and emerging technologies like AI. He also expressed gratitude to speakers, panellists, and delegates for their contributions in shaping the future of business education.

Key discussions featured:

• Prof. M. R. Rao, Former Director of IIM Bangalore & Former Dean Emeritus of ISB Hyderabad, highlighted AI-driven decision-making and competency-based learning in management education.
• Prof. N. Ravichandran, Former Director of IIM Indore, stressed balancing core courses with electives for holistic academic progression.
• Prof. Janat Shah, Former Director of IIM Udaipur, proposed integrating entrepreneurial projects into academic credit systems.
• Prof. Sankarshan Basu, Professor of Finance at IIM Bangalore, emphasized the need for continuous financial upskilling.
• Dr. Y. V. Verma, Former CEO of Onida & COO of LG Electronics India, urged experiential learning integration for leadership education.
• Shri D. N. V. Kumara Guru, Senior Director at ISB Hyderabad, advocated embedding sustainability principles into business education.
• Prof. Ashok Joshi, Director General of IndSearch Pune, stressed interdisciplinary collaboration and AI integration in research-driven education.
• Prof. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director of WeSchool, championed entrepreneurship education and risk-taking as economic drivers.
• Prof. Parag Kalkar, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Savitribai Phule Pune University, discussed AI-driven advancements and engagement strategies for Gen Z learners.
• Shri Adarsh Mishra, Director & CHRO at Panasonic Life Solutions India, underscored lifelong learning in an evolving business landscape.
• Prof. Harivansh Chaturvedi, Director General of IILM Lodi Road, criticized India’s accreditation process and called for performance-driven accreditation.
• Prof. R. Nandagopal, Director General of Sree Saraswathi Thyagaraja College, emphasized a blended learning model integrating AI with traditional teaching.
• Prof. Vishal Talwar, COO of University of Southampton Delhi, urged integrating research into management education to develop global value creators.
• Shri N. Senthil Kumar, Director of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, emphasized agility in navigating industry evolution.
• Prof. Rajat Agarwal, Head of Department at IIT Roorkee, stressed hands-on learning to engage Gen Z students.
• Shri Amit Shukla, Founder & CEO of EasyGov, warned against over-reliance on AI in decision-making.
• Mr. Jeffrey Alderman, President & CEO of ACBSP, USA, highlighted ethical considerations in digital education.
• Dr. Steve Parscale, Chief Accreditation Officer of ACBSP, USA, promoted global academic collaborations.
• Prof. Suhas Pednekar, Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Mumbai, advocated for structured learning pathways.
• Prof. Apoorva Palkar, Vice Chancellor of Ratan Tata – Maharashtra State Skills University, emphasized applied research in curriculum design.

With expert-led sessions and actionable insights, Perpetuum 2025 set a new benchmark for industry-academia collaboration. Attendees left with fresh perspectives, stronger networks, and a renewed vision for the future of management education.