Last Updated on September 27, 2025
MBAUniverse.com News Desk
The 15th Indian Management Conclave (IMC) 2025, organized by MBAUniverse.com and hosted by IIFT New Delhi on September 25–26, brought together a distinguished lineup of speakers to discuss the theme of leveraging AI in management education. A key highlight of the program was the IMC Awards for Excellence in Management Education (IMC Awards) 2025, which saw participation from 25 leading B-schools across India.
BITS Pilani won the IMC Gold Award for developing AI-driven tools that strengthen pedagogy, assessment, and faculty productivity. IIM Sambalpur received the IMC Silver Award 2025 for implementing an AI-based cognitive assessment model that transforms case-based learning into a more inclusive and student-led process. The award winners were selected by an eminent jury comprising Dr. Arvind Sahay, Director, MDI Gurgaon, and Dr. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR Mumbai. The Awards were presented by Shri Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education; Mr. Amit Agnihotri, Founder, Indian Management Conclave; and other dignitaries during the Valedictory Session of IMC 2025.
IMC Awards 2025 Themes
The adoption of Artificial Intelligence in business is accelerating, with over 75% of companies actively deploying AI by 2024. Academic research affirms that AI significantly enhances professional productivity across diverse work contexts. In parallel, leading business schools worldwide are embedding AI into research, curriculum design, pedagogy, student assessment, and institutional processes. In India, similar efforts are emerging from a few institutions. However, there is limited documentation of these initiatives and their impact. Against this backdrop, the theme for the IMC Awards 2025 was: “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in B-Schools: Approaches & Outcomes.”
Reflecting this theme, the following institutions were recognized for their AI-led initiatives in management education.
IMC Awards 2025 - Gold Winner | BITS Pilani
Initiative Title: AI powered applications to improve the practice of teaching and learning
Presented by: Dr Krishnamurthy Bindumadhavan, Associate Dean, BITS Pilani
Initiative Highlights
The Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP) division at BITS Pilani offers degree programmes such as MBA, M.Tech, B.Tech, and Post Graduate Diplomas for working professionals in India and abroad. In 2023, following a three-month study visit by Prof. Krishnamurthy Bindumadhavan to Teaching Learning Centers (TLCs) at leading U.S. universities, BITS Pilani established the Center for Education Research and Innovation (CERI) to enhance teaching and learning through faculty development, student-centered approaches, and integration of AI and emerging technologies.
Under CERI, the AI for Education Innovation Lab was set up to apply AI in improving teaching and learning. BITS Pilani partnered with U.S.-based Spanda AI to develop five AI-powered applications: (1) question paper variants and question bank, (2) chatbot teaching assistant, (3) grading assistant, (4) instructor feedback system, and (5) faculty shortlisting tool. The initiative was executed in four phases: Alpha, Beta, Production, and Feedback.
The initiative achieved proof-of-concept for all five AI applications. Following approval, three —AI-enabled question bank, instructor feedback, and dissertation assessment—were prioritized for production. Early results indicate improved faculty productivity, faster question paper generation, accurate grading support, and timely student query resolution.
IMC Awards 2025 – Silver Winner | IIM Sambalpur
Initiative Title: AI enabled Student centric Learning & Cognitive assessment
Presented by: Dr Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur
Initiative Highlights
Traditional teacher-centric models often limit active participation and inclusivity in classrooms. Faculty face challenges in manually assessing student performance, while learners remain confined to lower levels of cognitive engagement. Guided by NEP 2020’s call for student-led learning, IIM Sambalpur became the first institute in India to pilot AI-enabled student-centric learning and cognitive assessment, shifting from a “sage on stage” approach to a model emphasizing student preparedness, engagement, and accountability. The initiative was designed to make case-based learning more analytical, inclusive, and transparent.
To implement this transformation, IIM Sambalpur partnered with Breakout Learning, a U.S.-based edtech firm specializing in AI-powered learning tools. The AI platform evaluates students’ participation in 90-minute group case discussions (6–9 students per group) using Bloom’s taxonomy to rate cognitive levels (1–6) and provides detailed feedback to each student and the faculty. The pilot was launched in September 2024 across two MBA courses—Entrepreneurial Orientation (Redbus case) and Design Thinking for Strategic Change (Toyota case). Faculty were trained, and student feedback collected to assess the initiative’s effectiveness. Challenges around AI apprehension, data privacy, and case availability were addressed through training, ethical safeguards, and faculty-authored cases for the platform.
The AI-enabled assessment enhanced student engagement, improved cognitive learning outcomes, and reduced faculty workload through objective, rubric-based evaluation. Students received personalized feedback, encouraging better preparation and higher participation. Faculty leveraged AI-generated insights to focus on higher-order teaching and individualized mentoring. The pilot established a replicable model for AI-integrated cognitive assessment, demonstrating how technology can complement pedagogy and promote student-led learning in management education.
IMC Awards 2025 Finalist
In addition to the Award Winners, following initiatives were selected as finalists for IMC Awards and made presentations at IMC conference.
(All Names in Alphabetic Order)
IMC Awards: Recognizing the Best
Launched in 2013 to further the vision of the Indian Management Conclave (IMC), the IMC Awards for Excellence in Management Education aim to identify, document, and recognize best practices and successful initiatives undertaken by Indian B-schools. Over the years, the IMC Awards have become India’s most respected platform celebrating innovation and impact in management education.
The Awards uphold a rigorous and transparent evaluation process. Winners are selected by an eminent jury on the merit of their nominated initiatives. Past editions have seen the Awards being presented by the Former President of India, Union Ministers, AICTE Chairmen, and prominent global thinkers. As a not-for-profit initiative, the IMC Awards maintain an open and inclusive ethos, with no registration or participation fee.
Through this platform, IMC continues to spotlight pioneering efforts that strengthen India’s management education ecosystem and inspire B-schools to pursue excellence, innovation, and societal impact.
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