-Insights from ISME’s Board of Studies (BOS) Forum reinforce a sector-wide shift in business education for future-ready professionals.
As global business models evolve amid rapid technological disruption and shifting workforce expectations, the call for a more responsive, practice-driven approach to management education has never been louder. At the recently convened Board of Studies at ISME, academic leaders and over 30 senior industry experts from leading organizations such as Accenture, JP Morgan & Chase, Grant Thornton, Coforge, Infosys, LTI Mindtree, Acer and Reliance Retail, engaged in rigorous deliberations to align the PGDM curriculum with current and emerging industry needs.
Deliberations at ISME’s Board of Studies underscore a pedagogical shift towards integrating practical competencies in sales, data-driven technologies like AI, and human-centered leadership reflecting the dynamic interplay between academic instructions and evolving industry expectations. From redefining the fundamentals of marketing and sales to integrating AI-powered decision-making across domains, the Forum reflected a deeper shift in how education must equip students not just for their first jobs, but for continuous adaptation and leadership in a world that’s constantly in flux.
“Many of the themes discussed sales-readiness, real-time data usage, ethics, and cross-functional agility are already central to our pedagogy. These insights from the Board of Studies Forum help us sharpen our focus even further and continue delivering an education that is both current and forward-looking.”, said Dr. Nitin Garg, Director, ISME.
“Many of the recommendations discussed reaffirm ISME’s commitment to building future-ready professionals. Our academic framework has long embraced flexibility, digital intelligence, and human-centered thinking. These deliberations at the Board of Studies Forum validate our approach and offer valuable direction to further refine our delivery in response to a rapidly evolving business landscape”, said Dr. Rony Kurien, Dean, ISME.
Curriculum Insights across Disciplines:
Marketing: Strategy Grounded in Sales Intelligence
Industry leaders emphasized that graduates must be equipped not only with strategic marketing frameworks but also with real-world sales readiness. Key capabilities include managing key accounts, navigating quick commerce environments, understanding consumer recovery dynamics (especially in service sectors like aviation), and translating data insights into retail, B2B, and digital marketing execution.
Human Resources: Agility and Cross-Functional Alignment
As leadership roles increasingly demand cross-functional agility, HR leaders expect future professionals to move beyond conceptual knowledge. There is a rising emphasis on understanding organizational behavior through practical lenses, using adaptive HR models like Ulrich’s, and responding to trends such as hybrid work, employee well-being, and talent sustainability.
Finance: Analytical Depth in a Data-Driven Economy
The finance sector is calling for professionals with sharpened analytical precision, especially in valuation, risk management, and structured financial products. Entry-level roles now expect familiarity with bond markets, alternative investment strategies, and the application of financial models in real-time decision-making environments.
Analytics: Business-First, Tech-Enabled
Analytics leaders stressed the need for professionals who can bridge technical proficiency with strategic problem solving. Mastery of tools like Python, R, Tableau, and Power BI is now baseline; what’s valued is the ability to integrate these with data warehousing, governance, and AI-driven solutions like image and voice analytics, while also communicating insights effectively through data storytelling.
The current curriculum also integrates broader competencies like Project Management, Design Thinking, and mandatory ESG modules through SWAYAM/NPTEL reflecting how sustainability and global citizenship are increasingly becoming core to corporate strategy.
