The last session of Day 2 of the International Conference on Business and Management (ICBM 2019), was a unique Academia - Industry Discussion where prominent scholars and industry practitioners participated in a roundtable discussion to discuss the co-creation of knowledge. ICBM 2019 organized this platform for the two sides of the coin to meet and discuss how best to bridge this gap and prepare a new generation of workforce that is qualified to tackle the unique challenges of this digital age. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Mahboob Rahman, Dean, Brac Business School conducted the discussion as the session chair.

The participants from academia were Prof. Dr. Hui-Ming Wee, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taiwan; Prof. Dr. Tzong-Ru Lee, National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan; Prof. Dr. Anwar Hossain, Vice Chancellor, Northern University; Prof. Dr. H.M. Jahirul Haque, Vice Chancellor, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh; Prof. Dr. Abdur Rab, Vice Chancellor, International University of Business and Agricultural Technology; Prof. Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice Chancellor, Prime Asia University; Prof. Dr. Razamin Ramli, Universiti Utara Malaysia; Dr. Erne Suzila Kassim, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia; Dr. Rina Fitriana, Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia as well as Prof. Dr. Rahim B. Talukder, Prof. Dr. Akbar Ali Khan, Prof. Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam, Prof. Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed from Brac Business School, Brac University.

To represent the corporate side, Mr. M. Anis Ud Dowla, Chairman, ACI Group, Mr. Syed Abdul Monem, Head of SME banking, BRAC Bank Ltd, Mr. Mominul Islam, Managing Director and CEO, IPDC Finance Ltd, Mr. Reazul Chowdhury, Managing Director and CEO, Runner Automobile Ltd., Mr. A.S.M. Mainuddin Monem, Managing Director, Abdul Monem Ltd, Mr. Anis A. Khan, Managing Director and CEO Mutual Trust Bank, Mr. Abu Hossain Khan, Chairman and Managing Partner, A.H. Khan and Co., Mr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, Kazi Farms Ltd were present.

A wide range of topics were discussed over this lively session that resulted in many suggestions for both academia and industry. 

Unique insights on what actually constitutes corporate social responsibility, which interpersonal skills employers want to see in graduates, how the co creation of knowledge can be done by both sides in this era of “Industry 4.0”, what each party expects from the other were discussed during the lively session. Aspects of knowledge synthesis and corporations funding for business curriculums to be revised and made more tailor made to industry needs were discussed, as well as the need for traditional theory so that students can get a more utilitarian approach to education. A notable point put forward was the lack of case studies on Bangladeshi firms and students requiring lessons on the local business environment. The discussion ended on a promising note with Mr. Anis Ud Daula offering to arrange and fund such meetings with academicians in the future.