The Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK), one of India’s premier business schools, hosted several hundred business and academic delegates in London for their first ever international conclave on ‘Globalizing Indian Thought,’ on 24-25 October.
The conclave explored India’s soft power outreach, with discussions exploring ancient Indian wisdom and its relevance in today’s globalised world.
Director of IIMK, Debashis Chatterjee, said: “Our first visit to London was a resounding success. We were able to broaden our engagement with new stakeholders and deepen our relationship with alumni. We are happy to note the appetite to learn more of how India’s management principles, deeply rooted in philosophy, leadership, and governance, can offer valuable lessons for global business and policymaking.”
Dean of University of Brighton of School of Business and Law, Catherine Robinson, said: “It is a great event to be part of; the diversity in the room in terms of philosophy, economists and business school heads has been fascinating. It is a good way to bring together ideas on globalising Indian thoughts.
Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, Shaunaka Rishi Das, said of India and its progress: “You have to be educated about your own heritage to establish your identity in the world. There is a need to develop the education system in India so that it supports this. IIMK is doing an admirable job in leading the way.”
Dean of the University of Chester’s Business School, Kirstie Simpson, said: “My research has been focused on Net Zero and enhancing employment opportunities within the industrial decarbonisation supply chain in the North West. The collaboration with IIMK is a wonderful example of how sustainability and Indian management thinking can help the world grow in the coming decades.
The events included a two-day conference at the University of London, with partners University of Chester and Cardiff Metropolitan University, as well as a special dinner at the Lord’s Cricket Ground with over a hundred attendees, including IIMK alumni.
More than 40 academic papers on Indian management and business practices and the changing word order and rise of the Global South, were presented. May of the topics centred around harnessing ancient Indian wisdom, the re-emergence of Vishwa Guru Bharat, evolution of corporate structures and business practices, and achieving sustainable development.
IIM Kozhikode is one of India’s premier management institutes. Set up in 1996 by the Government of India in collaboration with the State Government of Kerala. It is the fifth Indian Institute of Management to be set up and is recognised for its academic excellence and strong emphasis on research, teaching, and community engagement. As early as 2013, their flagship management program was 54 per cent female, at a time when other leading business schools in India had a participation rate of 8-10 per cent female.
The event was managed by Prime Sports & Media.
