A clear institutional vision, academic excellence, strong leadership, culture of innovation, and commitment to continuous improvement are essential to building institutions that create a lasting impact, said Dr Bhimaraya Metri, Director of the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur) on Saturday. Dr Metri shared these perspectives during a programme organised by the CIMCON Management Foundation (CMF) to honour him on his reappointment as Director. Highlighting the crucial role of premier institutions in developing future-ready leaders, Dr Metri emphasised that the success of an educational institution extends far beyond infrastructure and academic programmes. He stressed the importance of preparing management graduates to navigate complex business environments, make informed decisions, and respond effectively to emerging challenges. To achieve this, management education must remain closely aligned with industry requirements, evolving technologies, and changing economic realities through strong industry-academia collaboration. The highlight of the event was

 

‘The Inflection Point,’ an engaging discussion between Dr Metri and industry leader Vishal Agrawal, moderated by Srikanth Sampath, Chairman of CMF. Sharing insights from the industrial sector, Vishal Agrawal noted that sustainable business growth requires a clear business vision, consistent quality, customer trust, capable teams, and effective execution. He underlined the need for businesses to adapt to shifting market conditions and emerging technologies, stressing that industrial growth should also support employment generation, entrepreneurship, and community development. The discussion underscored the complementary roles of academia and industry, emphasising that stronger partnerships are vital to promoting innovation and bridging the gap between classroom education and professional requirements. Earlier, the event commenced with the introduction of dignitaries by

 

CMF Secretary Amit Bajpayee, followed by the reading of the CIMCON Charter by Prashant Godbole. CMF Chairman Srikanth Sampath addressed the gathering on the organisation’s commitment to fostering meaningful professional dialogue, while Vice Chairman Saurabh Mohta introduced the CIMCON’27 Organising Committee. Following the reading of the Scroll of Honour by Ranjit Dani, chief guest Vishal Agrawal and the CMF Executive Committee formally felicitated Dr Metri, who expressed his gratitude during his acceptance address. The event concluded with a vote of thanks. The programme was attended by CMF Treasurer Mohan Agrawal, Executive Committee members, and other distinguished guests.