KIIT School of Management (KSOM) hosted its first-ever Academic Leadership Round-Table Conference on 20th December 2025. The event brought together fifteen professors and teachers from colleges in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

The conference focused on the theme “Re-Shaping the Future: Co-Creating Tomorrow’s Talent with Industry and Academia.” Prof. Ashok K. Sar expertly moderated the discussion.

Inaugural Session

Prof. Kumar Mohanty, Director, KSOM, delivered the inaugural address. Prof. Arvind Tripathy, Dean, KSOM, and Prof. Saroj Routray, Admission Head, KSOM, also welcomed the guests.

Following the inaugural session, Mr. Abinash Mohapatra, Head – Campus Recruitment and Relations, KPIT, led an interactive session. The discussion gave participants an opportunity to exchange views on academic development and industry expectations.

Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, Registrar, KIIT, also joined the discussion towards the end. He emphasized the university’s commitment to holistic student development. He highlighted the importance of integrating curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular initiatives.

Furthermore, Prof. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty, along with the KSOM leadership, warmly welcomed and felicitated the guests.

Key Areas of the Round-Table Discussion

Prof. Ashok K. Sar led the round-table discussions around three key areas:

• Assessing gaps, suggesting changes, and partnership needs
• Bridging broken links through design, delivery, and assessment
• Building thinking, adaptability, and innovation

These areas encouraged participants to discuss the changing needs of education and industry. In addition, the discussions focused on stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industry.

Eminent Academic Participants

KSOM was privileged to host the following professors and teachers:

1. Dr. Umesh Chandra Sahoo, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar
2. Dr. Sanghamitra Jena, Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar
3. Dr. Swapna Bijayini, Capital Law College, Bhubaneswar
4. Dr. Soumendra Ku. Patra, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack
5. Dr. Sarba Narayan Mishra, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar
6. Dr. Sanjit Kumar Rout, P.N. College, Khordha
7. Prof. Nancy Bhandari, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar
8. Dr. Suratha Kumar Das, Dev Ray College, Bhubaneswar
9. Dr. D.N. Mishra, DAV School of Business Management, Bhubaneswar
10. Dr. Vandana Barik, Dev Ray College, Bhubaneswar
11. Prof. Pradeep Kumar Sahoo, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar
12. Dr. Amit Tripathy, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar
13. Dr. Sanjukta Mohanty, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar
14. Prof. Subhasree Garnaik, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar
15. Dr. Rojalin Pani, Odisha University of Technology and Research, Bhubaneswar

Strengthening Academia-Industry Collaboration

The conference highlighted the critical role of academic leadership in bridging the gap between curriculum and career. The discussions also highlighted the shift from employability to deployability.

Moreover, participants emphasized the importance of outcome-based learning, industry immersion, and sustained institutional commitment. These approaches can help institutions prepare students for changing industry requirements.

Overall, the Academic Leadership Round-Table Conference provided a platform for meaningful dialogue between academic leaders and industry representatives. It also reinforced the importance of collaboration in shaping tomorrow’s talent.