How should MBAs be taught to manage other professionals

MBA has become a specialised degree that extends to practically every profession. But unlike in finance and marketing, managing businesses based on other professions requires a unique set of skills, training and understanding. Some fields require dedicated learning and the ability to handle professions like law, healthcare, and so on. MBA’s managing these professions need to have domain knowledge or a rudimentary understanding of the subject. This raises questions about how traditional MBA curricula must evolve to bridge the gap between managerial expertise and professional domain knowledge. As organisations become increasingly interdisciplinary, the ability of managers to effectively collaborate with, evaluate, and lead highly specialised professionals has become a critical leadership competency. How should courses be structured, and how should MBA professionals be trained for a career in niche management? To delve deeper into the topic, The Hindu will host a webinar titled, ‘How should MBAs be taught to manage other professionals’, on December 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The panellists include: Pankaj Priya, Dy. Director & Dean Academics, Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH); Prof. Deepa Seth, iExecutive Chair, GLOBE (Global Linkages, Outreach, Branding, and Evaluation), IIM Kozhikode. The webinar will be moderated by M. Kalyanaraman, who heads the education vertical at The Hindu. Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. The three best questions will receive a free online subscription to The Hindu. Panellists Pankaj Priya, Dy. Director & Dean Academics, Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) Pankaj Priya is the Deputy Director and Dean (Academics) at the Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida, where he has been associated for over 18 years. Before transitioning to academia, Mr. Priya held leadership roles in sales and marketing across reputed organizations, including Birla Corp. Ltd., Modi Entertainment Limited (India franchisee of ESPN), Singer India Ltd., and Datapro Infoworld Limited. Mr. Priya holds a Ph.D. from IIT Delhi (2015), with his doctoral research focused on Store Brands in the Indian Retail Sector. He earned his MBA from BIT Mesra (1990) and a B.Sc. (Honours) in Physics from Magadh University (1988). His academic specialisation lies in Marketing and Retail Management, with particular expertise in sales campaigns, distribution management, and target market selling. Prof. Deepa Seth, iExecutive Chair, GLOBE (Global Linkages, Outreach, Branding, and Evaluation), IIM Kozhikode Prof. Deepa Sethi serves as Executive Chair of GLOBE, driving global linkages, outreach, branding, and evaluation at IIM Kozhikode. With experience in teaching, research, training, and consulting, Prof. Sethi specialises in Managerial Communication, Executive Presence, and the behavioural dimensions of organisations. Trained at Harvard Business School and Harvard University, she brings a global perspective to her work. Her areas of expertise include Verbal and Nonverbal Communication, Cross-Cultural Communication, Storytelling and Influence, Inclusive Communication, Soft Skills for Interpersonal Effectiveness, Health Communication, and impactful Presentation Skills. Recognised among the Prof. Indira Parikh “50 Women in Education Leaders” in 2019, Prof. Sethi has also published extensively in leading international journals of the highest repute (A* and A category). (For any feedback or...

Preview: ~500 words