Argus News - IIM Sambalpur Hosts CEO Immersion Programme on Future of Work

Sambalpur, Jan 12: IIM Sambalpur, one of India’s leading management institutions, hosted its five-day CEO Immersion Programme for the Executive MBA (2025–27) and MBA for Working Professionals (2024–26) batches at its Delhi Centre, officials said on Monday.

The theme for this year’s programme, “The Future & Nature of Work: Skills, Culture, and Sustainability,” reflects the evolving workplace shaped by technology, adaptive cultures, and sustainability. The initiative aims to provide students with practical insights, exposure to industry trends, and leadership skills through direct interaction with industry leaders.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, who stressed the importance of “3D Disruption—digitalization, decarbonization, and democratization of business.” He highlighted India’s growing role in global capability centres (GCCs), with 53 per cent of GCCs now based in the country, making India a hub for global business excellence. Prof. Jaiswal also pointed to emerging opportunities in clean energy sectors and the transition from traditional automobiles to electric vehicles.

Chief Guest Brijendra Pratap Singh, CMD of NALCO, stressed that foresight is the most critical leadership skill. “Organisations that change after disruption merely survive, those that change with disruption prosper, but those that change before disruption arrives are the ones that lead,” he said.

Guest of Honour Keshav Rao, Director (Personnel), Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, praised IIM Sambalpur’s holistic approach to institution building and community engagement. He noted that the institute’s initiatives have helped local communities improve livelihoods and promoted women’s empowerment.

The programme also featured insights from Biswajit Mahapatra, Head of Customer Solutions and CIO Advisory, Amazon (AWS), and Narendra Babu, CTO of PayU Payment, who delivered the keynote address. CEOs and senior leaders from Tesla India, Deloitte Digital, Tata Business Excellence Group, United Breweries Trading Ltd, and other organisations participated in discussions on strategies for navigating the future of work.

The CEO Immersion Programme is a flagship initiative of IIM Sambalpur, designed to foster meaningful engagement between industry leaders and students while promoting skill development, sustainable practices, and adaptive workplace cultures.