2026 EFMD Indian Symposium

Transformation through accreditation : Leveraging internationalisation, technology and research

Face to Face

30 April

Bengaluru,

India

adriana.lovera@efmdglobal.org

Event details

This year’s EFMD Indian Symposium explores how accreditation can act as a strategic driver of institutional transformation. In a context marked by rapid technological change, evolving global expectations, and increasing demands for research relevance, business schools must rethink how they structure governance, embed innovation, and demonstrate impact.

Hosted in Bengaluru, a city at the forefront of India’s digital and innovation ecosystem, the event will examine how accreditation frameworks can support schools in leveraging internationalisation, technology, and research to enhance institutional quality and long-term impact.

Through interactive panels, standards-focused sessions, and peer exchange, participants will explore:

The strategic implications of AI and uneven digital adoption in management education
Research for impact: from knowledge creation to societal and economic relevance
Internationalisation as a driver of institutional positioning, partnerships, and “global at home” strategies

The symposium is designed for senior leaders shaping institutional strategy and accreditation journeys across Indian business schools.

Target group

This workshop is intended for senior leaders and academic decision-makers at Indian business schools who are engaged in strategy, quality assurance, and institutional development.

Participants may include:

Deans, Associate Deans, and Academic Directors
Heads of Accreditation, Strategy, or Quality Assurance
Leaders responsible for External Relations, Alumni Engagement, or Internationalisation
Faculty involved in partnership development or innovation initiatives

The event is best suited to those with a strategic mandate to shape institutional direction and lead collaborative efforts, both locally and internationally.

Additional Information

Registration is by invitation only. If you are interested, please contact Adriana Kudrnova Lovera.

Programme

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Gala Dinner at IIM Bangalore Campus

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Registration & Hi-Tea

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks

Eric Cornuel, President, EFMD Global
Mukta Kulkarni, Professor & Dean (Programmes), IIMB
Nishit Jain, Sr. Spcl. Advisor Asia, EFMD Global

10:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Artificial Intelligence in Management Education: Enhancing Learning Effectiveness and Impact

This panel will explore the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in education, focusing on how institutions can leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes, research capabilities, and institutional effectiveness. The discussion will also highlight real-world applications, challenges, and opportunities in AI, integrating AI for meaningful and scalable impact.

Rishi Krishnan, Former Director IIM Bangalore, Professor of Strategy
Karthik Shashidhar, Cofounder and CEO of Babbage Insight
Rohini Srivathsa, Former CTO, Microsoft South Asia
Rahul De, Founder & CEO, Memoric AI, Author of book on AI & Professor (Rt.) IIM Bangalore

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Networking Coffee Break

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM
Beyond Passports: Redefining Internationalisation for India’s Business Schools

This session explores the revised EQUIS internationalisation standard: what has changed and why it matters for business schools in India. It reflects on how the reshaped framework recognises diverse contexts and approaches, illustrated through a fireside conversation and a school case.

Alfons Sauquet, Director EQUIS and Quality Services, EFMD Global
Susan Hart, EQUIS Associate Director, EFMD Global
Adriana Kudrnová Lovera, Quality Services Development and EQUIS, Senior Manager, EFMD Global
Neetu Yadav, Associate Professor and Head of EQUIS at MDI, Gurgaon

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Networking Lunch

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM

BSIS and Regional Impact: From stories to best practices
This session will explore how institutions are creating measurable regional impact through the BSIS framework, including the meaning of impact for business schools, its relevance in the Indian context, and key practices from leading institutions worldwide. It will present successful BSIS cases in the region, followed by a Q&A.

François Bonvalet, Director BSIS, EFMD Global
Padmakumar Nair, VC, Thapar University and LM Thapar School of Management
Abhinav Arora, Associate Director Strategy, Masters Union

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Networking Coffee Break

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Influence of Research on Practice: Fostering Collaboration

This session will explore how institutions can enhance the impact of their research by ensuring it is evidence-based, relevant, and effectively translated into practice. It will highlight the concept of “pracademics” and the importance of bridging academia and industry to make research meaningful and impactful in the real world.

Rajendra Srivastava, Former Dean ISB, Novartis Professor of Marketing Strategy and Innovation
Parasuraman R., Former President and Whole-Time Director at Toyota Industries Engine India
Muralikrishnan B, Former President of Xiaomi India
Sudheer Kumar, Ministry of Railways, GOI

5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
Closing Session: Synthesis, Commitments, and Next Steps