IIM Director to Headline Major Education Discussions at Upcoming Conclave
One of India’s premier business schools will be prominently represented at a significant state-level conclave scheduled for May 19, 2026, in Lucknow. Professor Manmohan Prasad Gupta, Director of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow, is set to participate in the high-profile gathering, which will bring together influential voices from politics, entertainment, sports, spirituality, and academia.
The event will serve as a platform for addressing some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities currently shaping the educational landscape, with a particular emphasis on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in higher learning.
Who Is Professor Manmohan Prasad Gupta?
Professor Gupta assumed the role of Director at IIM Lucknow on April 23, 2025. His appointment marked the culmination of a distinguished academic and administrative career. Before leading one of India’s most prestigious management institutions, he served as the Head of the Department of Management Studies at IIT Delhi from 2016 to 2019. Prior to that role, he held the position of Dean of Planning at the same institution from 2015 to 2016.
His extensive experience in academic leadership and institutional planning positions him as a key voice in discussions about the future direction of higher education in India.
Exploring the Intersection of Technology and Public Administration
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Professor Gupta’s academic work has focused on the practical applications of technology in governance. He has been instrumental in advancing research on e-governance, creating a substantial body of work that includes numerous case studies, analytical tools, and conceptual models designed to improve how government services are delivered digitally.
His scholarly contributions are extensive. He has guided 38 doctoral students through their PhD research and has contributed to more than 26 major projects. His written work includes contributions to notable publications such as “Government Online,” “Towards E-Government,” and “The Promise of E-Governance.” Additionally, over 250 of his research papers have been published in both domestic and international journals and conference proceedings. He has also played a key role in facilitating the publication of numerous books and research outputs through the International Conference on E-Governance (ICEG).
Championing the India-EU Digital Partnership
Professor Gupta has been a persistent and dedicated observer of the Indian government’s Digital India and Smart Cities initiatives. His research has directly informed policy improvements in these programs, most notably contributing to the strengthening of India’s cybersecurity framework.
His work has a significant international dimension. He currently leads a European Union-funded project titled “EU-India Cooperation Platform for Future Internet and Electronic Media.” The primary objective of this initiative is to foster deeper collaboration between India and the EU, particularly in the areas of smart city development and next-generation internet technologies.
His efforts were crucial in facilitating the adoption of FIWARE technology in India. FIWARE is an advanced open-source middleware platform, developed by a consortium of European tech companies and supported by the EU. This technology is now being showcased by the World Bank in select smart city pilot projects, demonstrating the tangible, real-world impact of his work.
His forward-thinking approach is also evident in his past work. He authored a comprehensive report on the “Smart Campus@IITD” model, which explored how technology could create a more connected and efficient campus environment. This report received considerable acclaim at the NEM Summit, held during the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2015.
A Career Marked by Recognition and Service
Professor Gupta’s expertise has been widely sought after by both central and state governments. He has served on numerous policy-making committees related to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). His judgment is also valued in the assessment of others’ work, as he has been a jury member for prestigious awards, including the Digital India Awards, the National E-Governance Awards, and recognitions administered by the Data Security Council of India and the Computer Society of India.
His contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 1996, he was awarded a Humanities and Social Sciences Fellowship by the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute in Calgary, Canada. He has also been a Visiting Fellow at the University of Manitoba. More recently, in 2012, he was honored with a Best Professor Award by the World Education Congress and CMO Asia.
Key Topics on the Agenda
The discussions at the conclave will center on the theme of smart education and the development of intelligent campuses. The dialogue will explore several critical areas:
- Using artificial intelligence to make learning more accessible and personalized for students.
- Leveraging AI to enhance the quality and effectiveness of online education platforms.
- Applying AI to streamline examination processes, making them faster and more accurate.
- Automating campus operations, including smart classrooms, security systems, attendance tracking, and administrative workflows, to create a more efficient and responsive educational environment.
The event promises to offer valuable insights into how Indian educational institutions can harness the power of AI to prepare for the future, with Professor Gupta’s expertise providing a crucial perspective on the path forward.
