IIM Indore Hosts International Partners’ Day 2026 – ‘SETU: Bridging Academic Excellence’, Welcoming Academicians from 13 Countries
The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore), renowned for its global collaborations and commitment to academic excellence, hosted its International Partners’ Day 2026 – SETU: Bridging Academic Excellence – on October 7, 2026. The event brought together deans, senior academic leaders, and representatives from 13 countries, providing a distinguished platform to strengthen international academic partnerships, exchange knowledge, and explore emerging opportunities in global management education.
Inspired by the Sanskrit word SETU, meaning ‘bridge’, the event reflected IIM Indore’s continued commitment to building meaningful connections among leading academic institutions worldwide. Inaugurated by our Director, Prof. Himanshu Rai, the event facilitated dialogue on emerging trends in education, international collaboration, and the evolving role of management institutions in addressing global challenges.
In his welcome address, Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, highlighted the importance of cultivating international partnerships that extend beyond institutional boundaries to create lasting academic and societal impact. He emphasized that meaningful collaborations are built on mutual trust, shared aspirations, and a willingness to learn from diverse perspectives. He also spoke about the significant role of international academic alliances in nurturing intellectual exchange, advancing collaborative research, and preparing future leaders to navigate an increasingly interconnected world. He also highlighted IIM Indore’s vision of bringing together global perspectives and local priorities to create meaningful impact. “Our endeavor is to ensure that management education goes beyond institutional excellence and contributes meaningfully to addressing real-world challenges. By combining global insights with local understanding, we seek to encourage innovation, responsible leadership, and collective action that can create lasting impact,” he said.
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion on “Human Potential in the Era of Generative AI,” which brought together distinguished academic leaders from renowned international institutions. The panel featured Dr. Uttiyo Raychaudhuri (Co-Founder, South Asia International Education Network); Prof. Julia Christine Balogun, Dean, University of Liverpool; Dr. Anna Tyshetskaya, Chief Vice President of HSE University, Russia; and Prof. Weng Marc Lim, Dean, Sunway Business School, Malaysia. The session was chaired by Prof. Sayantan Banerjee, PGP Chair, IIM Indore.
The discussion explored the evolving relationship between human capabilities and generative artificial intelligence, examining the implications of emerging technologies for management education, leadership, and the future of work. The panel offered diverse academic perspectives on how institutions can navigate technological transformation while continuing to nurture creativity, critical thinking, and human potential.
The event also featured a series of presentations highlighting IIM Indore’s distinctive programmes and its commitment to integrating academic learning with practical experience, cultural understanding, and community engagement.
Prof. Jayasimha KR and Prof. Purvendu Sharma showcased on Destination Marketing, highlighting the significance of destination-focused approaches for understanding tourism, regional development, and the opportunities associated with destination promotion. The session provided delegates with insights into the intersection of management education and destination development.
Prof. Srinivas Gunta showcased IIM Indore’s Rural Engagement Programme, emphasizing its role in connecting management education with grassroots realities. Through immersive rural fieldwork, REP enables participants to understand the challenges faced by rural communities and co-create solutions that contribute to sustainable development and help bridge the rural-urban divide.
Prof. Surbhi Dayal showcased her views on the programme Mithila Art for Managers, introducing delegates to the richness of India’s traditional artistic heritage. The session offered an opportunity to appreciate the cultural significance of indigenous art forms and their enduring relevance.
Prof. Kamal Sharma discussed the Himalayan Outbound Programme, which integrates experiential learning and leadership development in the challenging terrains of the Himalayas. The programme emphasizes resilience, strategic thinking, teamwork, and the development of leadership capabilities through immersive experiences.
These presentations offered international delegates a deeper understanding of IIM Indore’s educational philosophy, which combines management knowledge with experiential learning, social responsibility, and cultural engagement.
The day concluded with a tree-planting initiative and a campus tour, reinforcing the Institute’s commitment to sustainability and providing delegates with an opportunity to experience the vibrant academic environment at IIM Indore.
The programme also included a rejuvenating yoga session led by Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, along with yoga instructor Mr. Akash Borasi, offering delegates an opportunity to begin their engagement with the Institute through mindfulness, movement, and well-being.
Tomorrow, as a part of the International Partners’ Day programme, delegates will also participate in a Destination Marketing Immersion in Mandav. The visit will offer an experiential opportunity to explore the historical and cultural heritage of Madhya Pradesh, connecting academic perspectives on destination marketing with the region’s rich cultural landscape.
Through SETU, IIM Indore continues to strengthen its role as a dynamic hub for global academic engagement, bringing together institutions and thought leaders to advance management education, research, and leadership development. By connecting international perspectives with local insights and experiential learning, the Institute remains committed to building enduring partnerships that contribute to academic excellence and meaningful societal impact.