CTL Hosts Academic Leadership Programme

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at IIM Bangalore hosted the Academic Leadership Programme (ALP) from March 8–13, 2025, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GoI). The cohort comprised Vice Chancellors from various centrally- and state-funded universities and Directors of Institutes of National Importance.

The participating institutes were IIM Raipur, IIT Dhanbad (ISM), NIT Raipur, NIT Jamshedpur, Mizoram University, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Himachal Pradesh Technical University, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevraya University.

The programme included thoughtfully curated sessions and a roundtable discussion covering various facets of academic leadership. It also facilitated a one-day visit to Prashanti Kutiram, S-Vyasa University, where the participating faculty members engaged in sessions on yoga and holistic wellness.

The details of the sessions conducted during the programme are as follows:

• Prof. Sushanta K Mishra, faculty of OB&HRM and Chairperson of CTL, delivered the opening address with a focus on leadership mindset. He presented the ideas of ‘area of control’ and ‘area of concern’, urging the participants to focus on their areas of control rather than that of concern, which he believed would bring a huge difference to their overall productivity.
• Prof. R Srinivasan, faculty of Strategy, offered an in-depth exploration of the role of strategic control in achieving operational efficiency and maintaining a focus on quality. He also highlighted that reward systems are integral to motivating employees and researchers and ensuring alignment with the institution’s strategic goals.
• Prof. Gopal Mahapatra, faculty of OB&HRM, led a session on ‘Leadership Visioning’ focused on helping the participants articulate a personal vision by assessing their sense of happiness, achievement, significance, and legacy. The instructor guided the participants through a carefully designed process of self-evaluation and vision formulation, encouraging them to reflect deeply on personal and professional priorities. These assessments were intended to reveal gaps between aspiration and current reality, offering participants a way to recalibrate their leadership paths.
• Prof. Mukta Kulkarni, Dean (Programmes) at IIMB and faculty of OB&HRM, explored various decision-making strategies used by leaders of organizations across sectors. Some of these strategies included pivoting, constructive dissent, pre mortem, cobra effect, framing, decoy effect, and bias blind spots. The session facilitated active knowledge sharing where participants dissected their decision-making norms. The instructor advocated the use of strategic decision taking and stressed the importance of networking within the organization.
• Prof. Hema Krishnamurthy, Visiting Faculty from the Finance & Accounting area, provided insights on accounting & finance, capital budgeting, and corporate valuation which could aid a leader in better financial management of an organization. Using sample financial statements, the instructor engaged the participants in a hands-on training on managing and supervising balance sheet, profit & loss, and cash flow.
• Prof. Sourav Mukherji, faculty of OB&HRM, led a stimulating centred on the undeniable correlation of sustainability and inclusivity. He stressed how academic leaders held considerable influence over students who will eventually spread out across various sectors of society and industry, bringing about systemic changes. The session made a compelling case for the central role of academic institutions in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable society. Further, as a demonstration of the discussed ideas, Prof. Haritha Saranga, Chairperson of the Sustainability Taskforce, IIM Bangalore, took the participants on a guided tour to offer them a glimpse of the sustainability initiatives on the campus.
• Prof. P D Jose, faculty of Strategy, threw light on the topic of ‘Stakeholder Management’. He emphasized that the most successful universities are those that have nurtured strong networks of stakeholders. A data-driven approach to engagement, continuous involvement, and institutionalizing these processes were highlighted as essential strategies for success.
• Prof. Rahul De’, faculty of Information Systems, offered a perceptive take on different aspects of Artificial Intelligence including the implications of AI in today’s world, the role of AI in reshaping education, its effectiveness, progress, and goals. The lecture delved into AI’s profound impact on the learning experience, making it more personalized and accessible.
• Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, faculty of Decision Sciences, highlighted the significance of data in decision making. As an attempt to demystify AI, machine learning and data science, the instructor walked the participants through the key aspects of handling large data. By combining empirical evidence, theoretical insights, and interactive demonstrations, the lecture offered a comprehensive understanding of how AI and data-driven strategies can transform decision-making in a wide range of sectors.
• Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director of IIMB and faculty of Strategy, provided a thorough understanding of the key structures and processes that support academic innovation and entrepreneurship within institutions. He also advocated that leaders must strive to foresee the upcoming crises in the funding ecosystem and plan well in advance for achieving excellence in research and innovation.
• The programme facilitated a panel discussion focused on ‘Leadership and Institution Building’. The panellists for the discussion were Anurag Kumar, former Director of Indian Institute of Science, M K Surappa, former Vice Chancellor of Anna University, B Mahadevan, former Vice Chancellor of Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, and Rishikesha T Krishnan. Moderated by Prof. Sourav Mukherji, the discussion explored critical aspects of building strong academic institutions, with a focus on leadership, faculty roles, stakeholder relationships, and performance metrics. The panellists also delved into the intersection of leadership and institutional performance, considering both the national context and the evolving needs of higher education institutions in India.

Besides these sessions, the programme also provided a platform for the academic leaders to discuss and present their institutional best practices, where they discussed their achievements and how they brought changes in their respective institutions. The participating VCs and Directors used the opportunity to discuss possibilities for further excellence.

The programme concluded with a Special Address by Prof. Rishikesha Krishnan, Director of IIM Bangalore, followed by a valediction ceremony.