SRM Executive Education brought together 35 senior leaders from fintech, automotive, healthcare, cyber security and more to design future‑focused executive education programmes aligned with corporate priorities.

Key Takeaways

  • 35 industry leaders participated in the round table
  • Discussions centered on future‑ready executive education
  • A joint one‑year PG program with the National University of Singapore announced

SRM Executive Education, an initiative of SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), convened its inaugural industry‑academia round table on July 14, 2026 in Chennai. The event attracted 35 senior executives spanning fintech, Global Capability Centres, automotive, hospitals, healthcare, consulting, banking, cybersecurity, enterprise AI, human resources, product management and learning‑and‑development.

Background

India’s executive education landscape is undergoing rapid transformation as corporations scramble to keep pace with digital disruption. Recognising this shift, SRM Executive Education launched the round table to deepen academia‑industry collaboration, aiming to refresh existing curricula and create brand‑new programmes that anticipate tomorrow’s skill demands.

Core Discussion Themes

Participants focused on three strategic pillars: (i) aligning executive education with organisational priorities, (ii) embedding emerging competencies such as artificial intelligence, cyber‑security and data analytics into the syllabus, and (iii) designing flexible blended‑learning models that combine online and residential formats. Many leaders highlighted a talent gap in digital fluency that hampers the rollout of new technology strategies.

Upcoming Programme Blueprint

SRM Executive Education CEO M. Balaji announced a partnership with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to launch a one‑year, full‑time residential Post‑Graduate Programme in Management (PGPM) and a Post‑Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) for senior executives. In addition, short‑term certification courses, intensive workshops and internship‑driven modules are being crafted to address immediate industry needs.

Implications for the Future

Experts contend that such collaborative platforms not only give participating firms a competitive edge, but also elevate India’s executive education to global standards. If SRM’s roadmap succeeds, it could set a replicable benchmark for other universities, ushering in a new wave of high‑impact, industry‑aligned learning across the country.