As higher education responds to rapid technological change, evolving employer expectations and the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), the role of management education is being redefined. In this interview with BW Businessworld, Nitin Putcha, Trustee & Chief Executive Officer, ITM Group of Institutions, shares his views on bridging the industry-academia gap, integrating AI into learning, strengthening employability, implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) and positioning India as a global education hub.
Edited excerpts:
Where does the biggest disconnect lie between universities and employers and what reforms are needed to bridge it?
I don't think the biggest disconnect is between universities and employers. It's between what students learn and what they are expected to deliver on their very first day at work.
A company rarely hires someone because they completed an MBA. It hires them because it believes they can solve problems, communicate with teams, analyse data and make decisions. A degree may get you shortlisted, but capability gets you hired.
That's why management education needs to move beyond classrooms. Curriculum should evolve continuously with industry, internships should be long enough for students to own real responsibilities.
At ITM Business School, students combine their management education with key skills building certifications, which are a part of the curriculum, AI and digital tools, live projects and seven months of internships before graduation. By the time they enter an interview, they're not talking about what they've studied. They're talking about what they've already done.
As AI reshapes the workplace, how should universities prepare graduates without compromising foundational knowledge and critical thinking?
One misconception about AI is that learning AI means learning technology. It doesn't. The bigger challenge is learning where to apply it. Without business understanding, AI becomes another software tool.
That's why I believe management fundamentals become even more important in the AI era. Critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and domain knowledge remain the foundation. AI simply allows those skills to be applied faster and at a greater scale.
At ITM Business School, students don't learn AI in isolation. They use it within their specialisation, whether it's analysing financial data, automating reports, building marketing insights or improving business processes. The objective is simple: 2029 hits, your workplace requirements will be absolutely different from what it is today. Having said that, there will be even more hiring filters to get talent who are clear about their approach and knowledge application.
Should professional education continue to be measured primarily by placements or by broader outcomes such as lifelong employability and innovation?
Placements will always matter but they shouldn't be confused with the final outcome of education. The real question isn't whether a student got placed. It's whether they'll still be relevant five or ten years into their career as industries continue to evolve.
That's why I believe institutions should focus on building employability rather than simply placement statistics. Employability comes from learning how to adapt, acquiring new skills, understanding technology and developing leadership over time.
Our own approach reflects that thinking. The entire certification to long internships and the experiential learning route is not just to help students secure their first role, but to prepare them for multiple career transitions. The first job is important. Building a career is even more important.
With online learning and micro-credentials gaining ground, how should universities redefine the value of a campus-based education?
True that knowledge has become accessible from almost anywhere. Anyone can learn a concept online. What remains difficult to replicate is the environment where that knowledge is tested, challenged and applied.
At ITM Business School, the programme and campus are both designed to bring together people, ideas and experiences. Students learn by working in teams, presenting ideas, managing disagreements, leading projects and interacting with industry. Every student club is designed to put students on the centre stage weekly, so they can speak, express and associate with a group culture. This is crucial for building leadership and people skills.
Micro-credentials are becoming increasingly important, and universities should absolutely embrace them. But they work best when they're part of a larger learning journey rather than isolated certificates.
Which aspects of the National Education Policy have shown the most promise and where does implementation continue to lag?
The National Education Policy has shifted the conversation in the right direction. It recognises that students shouldn't be restricted by rigid academic structures and that learning should become more flexible and multidisciplinary. I believe that's the right vision because today's careers rarely fit into neat academic boxes. Businesses increasingly expect graduates who understand technology, task management and stakeholder communication together.
Curriculum reforms, faculty development, industry partnerships and assessment methods all need to evolve together with a student-centric approach. Policy can provide direction, but meaningful change happens inside classrooms while mentoring the students.
With the MBA iConnect programme, ITM Business School has moved beyond structural reforms and focus on learning outcomes that genuinely improve student capability. Whether that is through extended skill-building methods, direct industry interactions on campus or hands-on simulations, every nugget is developed to fit into widening a student's future scope.
What policy and institutional changes are needed for India to become a global education hub without compromising quality or access?
India already has one of the world's largest higher education ecosystems. The next step isn't simply attracting more international students. It's creating graduates who can compete confidently anywhere in the world.
That requires institutions to become more closely connected with industry, strengthen research, encourage international collaborations and ensure students graduate with skills that global employers recognise. The objective should be to make high-quality education accessible while maintaining rigorous academic standards.
I believe the institutions that will lead this transformation are those that combine strong academic foundations with real industry exposure, global perspectives and embrace AI as a core student skill development asset. In the coming years, India's reputation in higher education won't be built only on the number of universities it has. It will be built on the quality of graduates those universities produce.
