Birmingham City University (BCU) has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Raipur (IIM Raipur) and Mumbai's Ronkel Media Education and Research Institute to launch a pioneering postgraduate module aimed at Executive MBA students in India. The course, titled "Bridging Humanities and Innovation Management and Creative Entrepreneurial Leadership", marks a significant advancement in equipping Indian students with global industry-ready skills.

Backed by a British Council research grant, the initiative was spearheaded by BCU’s Associate Professor in Digital Transformation and Operations Management, Dr. Shishank Shishank, IIM Raipur’s Associate Professor Mrunal Chavda, and Ronkel’s Academic Director Swadhin Padhy. This postgraduate module is uniquely designed to prepare students for the global job market by integrating critical industry management skills with a robust focus on creativity and innovation.

Dr. Shishank emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, stating, “The collaboration aims to catalyse industry-academia partnerships, allowing academia and industry to work in sync, prepare a work-ready workforce, reduce on-the-job training costs, and enhance employability. The module is set to build a more inclusive, industry-connected higher education system that supports global development impacts”.

The module is the first of its kind in India, reflecting a strategic approach to modern education by fostering an environment conducive to creativity and innovation. The collaboration between BCU, IIM Raipur, and Ronkel aims to strengthen ties among these institutions, which are committed to generating quality research outputs and creating a work-ready workforce for the benefit of both industry and academia.

In a recent visit to Raipur, Dr. Shishank, along with Professor Navjot Sandhu, Deputy Head of College at BCU's Graduate School of Management, and Dr. Sara Gracey, Senior Lecturer in Management, met with Professor Ram Kumar Kakani, Director of IIM Raipur. The discussions focused on enhancing the partnership and sharing a holistic, integrated approach to education. This meeting underscored the commitment of all parties to developing a curriculum that meets word standards while fostering innovation.

Professor Ram Kumar Kakani highlighted the strategic significance of the partnership, saying, “This module represents a major step forward in aligning our educational offerings with global industry demands. By integrating creative leadership and innovation management with humanities, we are setting new benchmarks for executive education in India”.

BCU, IIM Raipur, and Ronkel’s collaborative effort not only brings a novel educational approach to India but also strengthens the international academic ties that support a globally integrated higher education framework. This initiative is poised to redefine the landscape of executive education in India, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in an increasingly complex global job market.