TLDR: The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) recently hosted its 15th Indian Management Conclave (IMC) in New Delhi, focusing on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in business and management education. The two-day event brought together over 400 participants, including academic leaders and industry experts, to discuss AI-driven pedagogy, ethical implications, and curriculum redesign for global competitiveness. Key sessions, research presentations, and awards underscored AI’s critical importance for future-ready managers.
New Delhi, September 30, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), in collaboration with MBAUniverse.com, successfully concluded its 15th Indian Management Conclave (IMC) 2025. Held over two dynamic days, the conclave served as India’s premier platform for management education, drawing over 400 participants from leading B-schools and prominent corporations.
The central theme of this year’s conclave was ‘Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Business and B-Schools to Enhance Competitiveness.’ This timely focus underscored the growing recognition of AI’s profound impact across industries and its imperative integration into academic curricula.
Attendees included directors and deans from esteemed institutions such as IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sambalpur, MDI Gurgaon, SPJIMR Mumbai, IMT Ghaziabad, Jaipuria Institute of Management, and XLRI Jamshedpur. Senior leaders from global consulting firms like Deloitte and McKinsey & Company, alongside major corporations such as IndiGo and Yatra.com, also contributed to the rich discussions.
The conclave featured a comprehensive agenda, including high-level plenaries, an international research conference (IMC-IRC 2025), and specialized master classes. Key sessions delved into topics like ‘Leveraging AI in Indian B-Schools: Current State, Future Outlook’ and a dedicated roundtable on ‘Artificial Intelligence in B-Schools: Insights, Challenges & the Road Ahead.’
Pioneering research on AI-enabled pedagogy, ethical considerations, employability, and the globalization of management education was presented by academics from prestigious institutions including IIT Delhi, INSEAD, and the University of Southampton.
The Inaugural Session saw a welcome address by Professor Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, and an address by Mr. Amit Agnihotri, Founder & Chair of the Indian Management Conclave. Dr. T.G. Sitharam, AICTE Chairman, set an aspirational tone by advocating for robust AI integration to enhance competitive standing, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020.
The Valedictory Session was graced by Chief Guest Vineet Joshi, Secretary of Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, who lauded IIFT’s significant global impact, citing its expansion into Dubai and its ranking in LinkedIn’s Top 50 Global MBA Program. Rajesh Aggarwal, Special Secretary at the Department of Commerce and recipient of the IMC Distinguished Alumni Award 2025, served as the valedictory speaker. He emphasized the AI theme as ‘timely and forward-looking,’ highlighting the critical need for B-schools to reimagine curricula, pedagogy, and industry collaboration for future success.
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The conclave concluded with the presentation of several accolades, including the IMC IRC Best Research Paper Award 2025 and the IMC Awards for Excellence in Management Education 2025, alongside the Distinguished Alumni Award presented to Shri Rajesh Aggarwal for his contributions to trade policy and economic diplomacy. The 15th IMC reaffirmed IIFT’s role as a thought leader in international business education, committed to preparing future-ready managers equipped with competence, conscience, and a global outlook.
