IIM Sambalpur launches India’s first ISPMA chapter to advance product management education

IIM Sambalpur has forged a significant milestone in the field of product management education and professional development by becoming the first institution in India to launch a university chapter of the International Software Product Management Association (ISPMA). This inaugural development was marked by the unveiling of ‘Udbhavanam,’ an innovative event addressing the future trajectory of product management. The event was held on October 7, 2024, in Bengaluru, a city known for its pivotal role in India’s tech landscape.

The establishment of the ISPMA chapter at IIM Sambalpur underscores a strategic effort by the institution to place itself at the forefront of evolving management trends. The chapter was introduced by AlphaBeta in collaboration with ISPMA and is designed as a centre of excellence to expand knowledge and practice in software product management. The theme of the event, “Future-Ready Products: Mastering Innovation in Product Management,” highlighted current trends and insights into managing products in an era increasingly defined by technological growth and consumer dynamism.

Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, took this opportunity to emphasize India’s potential as a hub for product management excellence. He outlined how the country’s burgeoning focus on innovation and entrepreneurial platforms is set to foster growth in software product management, supported by cutting-edge technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Prof. Jaiswal discussed the institution’s collaboration efforts with ISPMA and the Ministry of IT to create educational and business innovation centres. With a focus on responsible leadership and entrepreneurship, the aim is to address both local and global challenges through advanced research and business model democratisation.

Notably, the event featured Prof. Hans-Bernd Kittlaus, Global Chair of ISPMA from Germany, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Kittlaus shared insights on the shift from traditional product paradigms to platform-centric models in business, illustrating their profound impact on value creation across multiple industries. His insights underscored the importance of leveraging these platforms for sustained technological leadership and market influence.

Keynote speaker Sapna Grover, Partner Director, Product Manager at Microsoft, shared her experiences on the transformative role of AI in product management. Highlighting the rapid growth of the AI economy, she noted the decisive role AI plays in increasing productivity across sectors and discussed the integration of AI within company products as a cornerstone of future innovation.

A workshop conducted by Prof. S. Sadagopan, Chairman of ISPMA India Chapter, titled “SPM Essentials for Startups: From Vision to Execution”, stressed the role of software beyond a mere tool, presenting it as a fundamental essence of future innovations. His workshop aimed to empower startups in leveraging software to innovate and redefine traditional industry paradigms.

The event also included engaging panel discussions on the integration of digital and physical spaces. This segment featured industry experts such as Rahul Singh Babu of HighRadius and Ankita Parihar of Utpan, who shared strategies for seamless digital transitions.

The closing session, “Perspective: Taskmaster to Trailblazer,” gathered industry stalwarts like Venky Mahadevan and Dr. Gregory Dunn, who explored the evolving role of Chief Information Officers (CIOs). This discussion highlighted the transformation of CIO roles into strategic leaders driving innovation through technological advancements.

Through these discussions and collaborations, IIM Sambalpur’s foundational ISPMA chapter aims to cultivate a new generation of product managers equipped to meet the challenges of an ever-evolving global market. The university’s efforts highlight its commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive educational atmosphere that prepares students for leadership roles in the global innovation landscape.

Source: Noah Wire Services