IIM Ranchi witnessed the 10th Pan-IIM World Management Conference (WMC) 2025 on Day 2, unfold with a series of insightful discussions that brought together eminent leaders from Academia, Public Sector Enterprises, Global accreditation bodies, and the MSME ecosystem. The day was marked by thought - provoking exchanges on leadership, institutional development, global standards in management education, and innovation-driven growth.

The day began with the Panel Discussion on Topic - Early Career Faculty Conversation, featuring Prof. Samir K. Shrivastava (Director, IIM Amritsar) and Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava (Director, IIM Ranchi).  In a conversation with Prof. Amit Sachan (Dean, IIM Ranchi). The discussion focused on how young academics can build meaningful and fulfilling careers without feeling overwhelmed. Prof. Samir highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between teaching, research, and institution-building. He stated that the classroom is a core, where teaching practices, research and innovation can be nurtured by different thoughts and ideas. Prof Deepak focused on the ‘3Rs’ - Relevance, Rigor, and Responsibility - as guiding principles for professional excellence.

The conference then transitioned into a high-level discussion featuring leaders from India’s Public Sector Enterprises (PSUs), including senior executives from locally established organizations. The session was moderated by Prof. Nitin Singh (Faculty, IIM Ranchi), who shared the dais with Shri U.K. Vishwakarma (Executive Director, Mecon Limited), Shri Shankar Nagachari (Director Technical, CMPDI), Shri Harsh Nath Mishra (Director HR, Central Coalfields Ltd.), Shri Sanjay Dhar (Executive Director HR, MTI-SAIL), and Shri Sandeep Choudhary (Executive Director, IOCL). Centred on the theme “Legacy, Leadership, and Impact: The PSE’s Story,” the panel explored the pivotal role of PSUs in India’s socio-economic development - ranging from transforming rural regions into thriving urban centres, generating large-scale employment, and driving industrial growth across sectors. During the discussion, Shri U.K. Vishwakarma emphasised that PSUs form the backbone of the nation, contributing nearly 10% to the country’s GDP. He further highlighted the multifaceted contributions of PSUs, including advancements in green energy initiatives, industrial gas production, Indigenous defense manufacturing, and India’s growing space exploration capabilities.

The next session adopted a global perspective on management education. Led by Prof. Angshuman Hazarika (Faculty, IIM Ranchi), the panel brought together Shri Prathap Das (Regional Head, South Asia, AACSB), Shri Nishit Jain (Senior Advisor, Asia, EFMD Global), Prof. Vishal Talwar (COO, University of Southampton, Delhi) and Prof. Varun Nagraj (Dean, SPJIMR). The discussion focused on how international accreditations and global rankings enhance the global visibility, academic quality, and institutional reputation of Indian business schools. The panel emphasised the need for continuous improvements, global benchmarking, and strategic collaborations to strengthen India’s standing in the world of management education.

Concluding the first half of the day, Prof. Kushagra Sharan (Faculty, IIM Ranchi) moderated a dynamic conversation on “MSME for Impact”, featuring Shri Prashant Taunk (CEO, Newco Auto), Shri Harsh Pamnani (Senior Director & Marketing Head, T-Hub) and Shri Manish Piyush (Director, Puresh Daily Foods). The panel highlighted how innovation, agility, and deep local understanding are reshaping the MSME sector, enabling businesses to create meaningful social and economic impact. Speakers discussed the opportunities and challenges that define the evolving MSME landscape, and how entrepreneurial thinking can drive sustainable growth.

The conference continued with an engaging discussion focused on the role of case-based learning in shaping managerial thinking and decision-making. Speakers highlighted how well-crafted cases enable students to understand real-world complexities, analyze challenges, and apply theoretical frameworks to practical business scenarios. They shared insights on designing impactful cases, collaborating with the right team, and aligning classroom learning with industry realities. The session, moderated by Prof. Anand, underscored how experiential learning strengthens students’ ability to think critically and solve business problems creatively.

The day further progressed with a meaningful conversation on entrepreneurship and purpose-driven leadership. Experts discussed how entrepreneurs can create lasting social and economic value by embracing innovation, overcoming early-stage challenges, and leveraging their unique strengths. They emphasized the need for resilience, strategic thinking, and building ventures that are not only profitable but also sustainable and socially relevant. The discussion, moderated by Prof. Rajeev Verma, encouraged participants to view entrepreneurship as a catalyst for inclusive development.

A subsequent dialogue explored how Indian business practices continue to evolve through innovation to remain relevant in a rapidly changing global environment. Speakers highlighted the importance of ethical leadership, community-centered strategies, and long-term value creation. They reflected on how the “Indian way of doing business”- rooted in resilience, adaptability, and a strong sense of collective progress offers important lessons for global industry leaders navigating uncertainty and transformation.

The day’s series of discussions concluded with a vibrant Cultural Night, adding a colorful touch to the academic proceedings. The Sur Singaar troupe, comprising 22 artists, presented Jharkhand’s traditional Pika dance, a martial folk form that showcases themes of battle, valor, and the historic warrior spirit of the region’s foot soldiers. Following this energetic performance, the IIM Ranchi - Sodexo team enthralled the audience with an enthusiastic presentation of Nagpuri dance, celebrating the rhythm, diversity, and cultural richness of the state.

The conference will conclude on November 29, 2025, with Shri Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister for Railways, Commerce & Industry, Civil Aviation and Power; Prof. Rajendra Srivastava Novartis Professor of Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, and Former Dean, Indian School of Business (ISB), Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director, IIM Ahmedabad; Prof. Shailendra Singh, Former Director, IIM Ranchi; along with other distinguished leaders, who will engage in a series of impactful discussions.