IMC 2010 Theme - Rethinking & Rebooting Indian Management Education: Read Theme Paper, Watch Keynote Addresses

1st IMC 2010: Rethinking and Rebooting Indian Management Education

The Context
By 2010, the Indian management education ecosystem had experienced two decades of "heady" growth, resulting in over 3,000 management programs and 300,000 annual graduates. However, the 2008 global financial crisis exposed deep structural vulnerabilities. While top-tier B-schools remained robust, they lacked a significant global footprint. Simultaneously, the value of mid-tier and bottom-tier institutions was being questioned by recruiters and students alike. A serious national platform to discuss these challenges and the required reorientation was non-existent.

The Theme
The theme “Rethinking and Rebooting Indian Management Education” was chosen to signal a departure from the business-as-usual approach. It focused on a total systemic reset, urging B-schools to transition from mere degree-granting centers to institutions of excellence. The theme emphasized three pillars:

  1. Relevance: Aligning curriculum with the volatile post-recession economy.
  2. Quality: Establishing rigorous internal benchmarks and seeking global accreditations.
  3. Impact: Focusing on student outcomes and managerial competencies over enrollment numbers.

The Experts
The conclave was inaugurated by a high-powered panel representing the core pillars of the Indian economy:

  • Government & Policy: Mr. Salman Khurshid (Minister for Corporate Affairs) and Mr. Manish Sabharwal (Member, PM’s Skill Development Mission).
  • Academic Leadership: Dr. Bakul Dholakia (Former Director, IIM Ahmedabad), Dr. Debashis Chatterjee (Director, IIM Kozhikode), and Dr. B.S. Sahay (Director, MDI Gurgaon).
  • Industry & Thought Leaders: Mr. S.Y. Siddiqui (Maruti Suzuki), Dr. Shubhada Rao (Yes Bank), and Dr. Indira Parikh (FLAME).

The Significance
IMC 2010 was the catalyst for the “Relevance and Impact Movement” in Indian management education. It was the first time that private PGDM schools, IIMs, and government regulators sat at the same table to co-create a roadmap. This event laid the groundwork for the IMC Awards (launched in 2013) and the publication of research books with McGraw Hill and Pearson.

Most importantly, it established MBAUniverse.com as the definitive “Knowledge Partner” for the Indian B-school fraternity, a legacy that continues 15 years later.