Smriti Irani Addresses Women Leaders at IIM Bodh Gaya’s Leadership Program for Academia

Bodh Gaya: IIM Bodh Gaya recently hosted a five-day residential Nurturing Future Leadership Program (NFLP) aimed at fostering leadership among women academic leaders. Held from November 11 to 15 under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme and funded by the Ministry of Education, the initiative focused on leadership development in higher education institutions (HEIs).

The program brought together 33 senior faculty members from over 20 Central and State universities, including prestigious institutions like IIT Patna, Banaras Hindu University, and the University of Delhi. The event delved into critical aspects of leadership and management, equipping participants with the skills to lead effectively in the academic world.

Professor Vinita S. Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, underscored the importance of “Sakhi-waad” (women’s solidarity) in education, highlighting the unique challenges faced by women leaders in academia. The participants also gained insights from prominent women in higher education, including Professor Indira Parikh, former Director of IIM Ahmedabad and founding member of Flame University, Professor Sangita Srivastava, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Allahabad, and Professor Seema Sharma of IIT Delhi.

Former cabinet minister Smriti Zubin Irani, who has two decades of experience in public life, shared her expertise on impactful public speaking, encouraging attendees with the message, “You speak as you live, speak as you engage, and speak as you behave.” She also explored the role of digital storytelling in enhancing leadership skills during times of transformation.

As part of the program, participants visited the historic Mahabodhi Temple and ruins of ancient Nalanda University, offering experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom.

With a focus on capacity-building, especially for women in academia, NFLP aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises developing a more inclusive and diverse leadership landscape in Indian higher education. Through such initiatives, IIM Bodh Gaya and the Ministry of Education aim to inspire and empower the next generation of women leaders in academia, fostering innovation and driving change across the sector.