MUMBAI, India, May 5, 2025 -- EFMD Global, in collaboration with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), recently hosted 'The India Symposium 2025 – The Knowledge Alliance: Building Capacity through Effective Partnerships'.

Tailored for Indian business schools, the symposium focused on strengthening institutional capacity through strategic academia-industry partnerships. The event brought together academic leaders, corporate partners, and policy influencers to engage in meaningful dialogue on the evolving role of management education.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, stated: "Our research must lead to tangible outcomes. Developing policy briefs and white papers that influence decision-makers and shape industry practices is not just important—it is our responsibility. We must focus on research that drives meaningful change and drives lasting impact." Prof. Eric Cornuel, President, EFMD Global, added, "In today's complex geopolitical landscape, the call for responsible management is more urgent than ever. We must champion sustainability and uphold mutual respect."

The opening keynote address by Axel Guyon, Country Manager – India, Choose Paris Region, France, emphasised cross-border collaboration in building sustainable academic and corporate partnerships. A panel discussion on the importance of partnership-led development and relevance of AI and technology was moderated by Nishit Jain, Senior Special Advisor Asia, EFMD Global, and featured representatives from Harvard Business Publishing, GMAC, and the Netherlands Innovation Network. The sessions explored strategies for bridging institutional gaps, enhancing alumni engagement, and nurturing long-term international alliances.

In a session led by Prof. Rajendra Srivastava, former Dean, Indian School of Business (ISB), leaders from Reliance Industries, Godrej & Boyce, and MDI Gurgaon shared insights on alumni engagement, academia-industry collaboration, and building effective cross-border partnerships.

Prof. Sofia Salgado, EQUIS Associate Director, EFMD Global, Prof. Veena Vohra, Vice Dean, NMIMS, and Prof. Anupama Gupta, Director, Accreditation and Rankings, SPJIMR, shared their experiences and reflected on the EQUIS accreditation journey from an institutional perspective. Discussions centred on how accreditation processes are evolving in response to digital disruption, increasing pressure for relevance, and the pursuit of quality-driven outcomes.

Additionally, Prof. Salgado and Prof. Alfons Sauquet, Director, Quality Services & EQUIS, EFMD Global, explored how accreditation frameworks are adapting to emerging technologies such as AI, the growing emphasis on research relevance, and the need for future-ready quality standards.

The symposium explored key themes shaping the future of business education, including bridging academia and industry through strategic alliances, adapting accreditation standards to leverage AI and enhance research impact, and drawing institutional lessons from Indian business schools. A dynamic session on managing external relations focused on alumni, highlighting their role as key institutional stakeholders and the importance of nurturing this relationship at every stage.

The symposium concluded with a networking session, providing participants with the opportunity to build connections and explore future collaborations. It reinforced the importance of collective action in shaping the future of business education.

About SPJIMR

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) is a leading postgraduate management institute recognised by the Financial Times MiM Global Rankings as India's #1 business school, by Business Today as one of the country's top five business schools, and by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the top five business schools worldwide for societal impact. Known for its innovative and socially conscious approach to management education, research, and community engagement, SPJIMR aims to influence managerial practice and promote the value-based growth of its students, alumni, organisations and their leaders, and society. SPJIMR holds the international 'triple crown' of accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA.

Visit SPJIMR.org for more information.

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