Indian B-Schools Must Look Beyond Western Imitation to Truly Go Global

Indian management education often operates under the belief that global legitimacy comes from copying Western institutional models, pedagogies, and accreditation systems. Writing in The Hindu, Shaphali Gupta notes that business schools have long pursued foreign partnerships through Memorandums of Understanding and exchange programs. However, these collaborations frequently function as branding items rather than tools for genuine teaching and research impact.

The Real Challenge

Many institutions focus more on looking global than on becoming global. Questions regarding how many students benefit from meaningful exchanges or how much joint research influences policymaking often yield discouraging answers. Global universities now seek strategic partners for research, technology, entrepreneurship, and environmental issues rather than mere names on an affiliation list. India's decades-long experience with scale, fintech, digital public infrastructure, and frugal innovation offers unique ideas that can shape the global economy.

Future Outlook

Management education must shift from mobility to meaningful participation. Instead of accumulating MoUs, Indian institutions can focus on deep collaborations addressing challenges faced by the Global South. Faculty partnerships should move beyond guest lectures to long-term research with lasting social impact. Building an independent intellectual identity will allow Indian business schools to contribute original knowledge to the world.

Context

Internationalisation in higher education has traditionally meant forming ties with Western academic institutions for prestige and validation. As emerging economies grow and navigate complex modern challenges, educational frameworks are increasingly expected to reflect local realities rather than rely solely on imported concepts.