Nagpur, June 02, 2025│IIM Nagpur and Epiroc India Pvt. Ltd. formalized a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Signed on the IIM Nagpur campus, the MoU aims to advance executive education and leadership development while fostering long-term industry-academia collaboration.
Welcoming Mr. Nicklas Nilsson, VP – Human Resources, Epiroc India, to the campus, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, expressed enthusiasm for the new collaboration. “The MoU reflects our shared vision for value-driven growth. We aim to build capacity and nurture future-ready leadership through customized learning and innovation,” said Dr. Metri.
The agreement sets the framework for designing tailored executive development programs focused on strategic thinking, innovation, operational excellence, and people-centric leadership for Epiroc India’s managerial teams. Mr. Nilsson emphasized the importance of academic partnerships: “Institutions like IIM Nagpur are India’s growth engines. Their academic rigor combined with a practical approach makes them ideal capability-building partners. The MoU lays the groundwork for a sustainable, win-win relationship.”
Professor Alok Kumar Singh, Dean of Executive Education at IIM Nagpur, outlined the Institute’s approach to designing customized programs. “Our strength lies in understanding organizational challenges and building contextualized learning journeys. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to impactful executive education,” he remarked. Professor Neelkanth Dhone, Area Chairperson – Production & Operations Management, highlighted the multidisciplinary strengths of IIM Nagpur’s faculty in solving real-world business problems.
Mr. Kabeer Gaikwad, Head of Epiroc University, Pune, noted the MoU’s role in Epiroc’s leadership development strategy, saying, “This partnership enables us to offer globally aligned, contextually relevant programs that empower future leaders with actionable insights.”
Lt. Col. Makarand Alur (Retd.), Chief Administrative Officer of IIM Nagpur, said, “As IIM Nagpur expands with its upcoming Pune campus and enhanced executive education portfolio, partnerships like this demonstrate our readiness to meet dynamic industry needs.”
Beyond executive education, the MoU includes joint research, industry-based case development, and knowledge-sharing initiatives—bringing academic insights closer to business realities. The MoU underscores a mutual commitment to cultivating adaptive, innovative, and socially responsible leadership for the future.
