Prof. Dr. Vikas Dhawan, Director General of IMS Noida, in an exclusive interview with Shiksha, shares insights on the evolving role of AI in management, the urgent need for skilling from school level, and how IMS is preparing students to become future-ready professionals.
With artificial intelligence transforming the fundamentals of business and decision-making, management education in India is undergoing a critical overhaul. Prof. Dr. Vikas Dhawan, Director General of IMS Noida, in an exclusive interview with Shiksha, shares insights on the evolving role of AI in management, the urgent need for skilling from school level, and how IMS is preparing students to become future-ready professionals. Below is an edited version of the conversation:
Q: How do you see the overall management education system transforming in India today?
Prof Dhawan: Management is no longer just about traditional concepts. Earlier, AI was seen as an engineering tool, but now it's integral to managerial decisions. Today’s managers use AI tools like ChatGPT or Google’s Jamboard AI to analyze hundreds of documents in minutes. While these tools increase efficiency, I’ve noticed that students are losing the habit of reading deeply and thinking critically.
Our brain, when given too much comfort, stops putting in effort. So while AI can help us, it must be used judiciously. Students need to understand how managers now work in AI-integrated environments. They should be taught not just how to use AI, but how to think beyond it. That’s what will help them thrive in the corporate world.
Q: There is a growing concern that AI will replace human jobs. How serious is that threat?
Prof Dhawan: That concern is very real. We are now in the fifth generation of AI. Take Tesla's Optimus robot—it can break eggs, cook food. The sixth generation is on its way, where robots can build robots and make decisions like humans.
When I worked in AI between 2008 and 2013, we were still dealing with rule-based systems and fuzzy logic. Today, AI tools can make decisions in milliseconds that would take a human days or months. That level of power will eliminate many traditional jobs. But I believe losing jobs is not the main issue—refusing to adapt is.
People above 40, in particular, struggle to accept this change. They believe what they’ve learned is enough. I tell them: go back to school. Keep learning. Those who adapt, reskill, and learn to work alongside AI will survive.
Q: You talked about the need to adapt. What kind of skills should students be learning now, especially in B-schools?
Prof Dhawan: Skills should be taught much earlier than B-school—ideally starting in school. Look at our report cards in Class 10 or 12. They only mention marks—nothing about the student’s aptitude, interest, or skills.
No one assesses whether a student is better suited for engineering, medicine, innovation, or law. It’s all about scores. The entire education system needs to be revised. We can’t assess a child’s abilities based on a 3-hour exam. A bad day shouldn't define someone's future.
At IMS, we’ve created a dedicated skill center. We teach entrepreneurial and life skills—communication, networking, decision-making, goal-setting. We’ve gamified activities like treasure hunts by adding coding elements so students learn while playing. That’s how real learning happens.
Q: Do you think textbooks are becoming outdated in such a fast-evolving world?
Prof Dhawan: Absolutely. The pace of technological change is so fast that by the time a book is written and published, it’s already outdated. Our learning systems must become dynamic.
That’s why we bring corporate leaders and industry professionals into classrooms. They share real-time experiences. We also send students on international trips—like our recent PGDM batch that went to Malaysia for a certified course in supply chain management. This exposure is invaluable.
Q: What are the emerging sectors where MBA graduates will find opportunities in the next 5–10 years?
Prof Dhawan: First and foremost—AI and data science. I said five years ago that data science will shape the future of management. Today, you see MBAs with specializations in data analytics, AI, and even cyber law.
Even consumer apps like Amazon and Zomato are using backend AI to personalize experiences. Managers who understand these systems will be more valuable. Similarly, cybersecurity is critical. Every 14 seconds, a device gets hacked in India. Managers must understand these risks.
The future will be interdisciplinary. A manager needs to know both business and tech. You can’t manage a tech team without understanding the tech. So MBAs in AI, cybersecurity, and related areas will be in high demand.
Q: What is IMS Noida doing differently to prepare students for this future?
Prof Dhawan: Apart from our skill center, we are introducing value-added courses like innovation design thinking, IP and patent filing (in collaboration with our law school), and AI workshops for management students.
We’re creating experiential learning opportunities. For example, students are encouraged to take up mini-projects and learn through games, case studies, and industry interaction. We’ve built a stadium on campus because a healthy mind needs a healthy body.
We’re also inviting professionals from Siemens, Sweden, and other international firms to teach short-term courses. This isn’t just about curriculum—it’s about bringing real-world insight into the classroom.
Q: And what about placements? How has the trend been post-COVID?
Prof Dhawan: We’ve organized two job fairs in the past year, each with over 50 companies. Our Corporate Resource Cell is very active. I get 4–5 internship mails every day. No student can say they didn’t get an opportunity. But securing a job depends on the student’s own drive and skillset.
We guide students on how to identify their strengths, whether it’s entrepreneurship, technical skills, or leadership. Our workshops in cybersecurity, data analytics, and entrepreneurship ensure they have the tools they need.
Q: Any final advice for MBA aspirants looking at B-schools in this changing world?
Prof Dhawan: Don’t come to an MBA just to get a certificate. Come to learn, to adapt, to grow. Think beyond packages and placements. Know yourself—what you’re good at, what you enjoy—and set goals accordingly.
Learning should never stop. The next 5 years will be full of disruption. Those who embrace it will lead the change. Those who resist, unfortunately, will be left behind.
Read More:
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com