9, Jul 2025
Skill, Leadership Gaps Hindering Digital Shift in India’s BFSI: KNOLSKAPE 2025 Report
India, July 09, 2025 – KNOLSKAPE, a global leader in experiential learning technology, has released The Workforce Insights: BFSI Industry Report 2025, uncovering critical workforce challenges that are slowing down digital transformation across India’s BFSI sector.
The report states a significant disconnect between ambition and execution. While financial institutions demonstrate strong intent to digitize, structural challenges such as misaligned leadership, a weak learning culture, and limited data fluency are hindering effective implementation. Drawing insights from 35 financial institutions and over 6,500 employees globally, the report highlights that successful digital adoption requires more than just technology it demands organizational and cultural readiness. Without urgent action to address these gaps, the sector risks falling short of its transformation goals.
“The pace of change is dramatic, but it brings urgent challenges. As our new report highlights, digital transformation demands visionary leadership and a culture of continuous learning. Indeed, industry data indicate that roughly half of India’s BFSI workforce will require reskilling over the next few years. Addressing these leadership and skill gaps is critical to fully capitalize on our sector’s innovation potential.”, said Rajiv Jayaraman, Founder and CEO of KNOLSKAPE.
Key Insights:
• Digital Readiness Gap: 83% of Indian BFSI firms prioritize digital transformation, but only 31% believe their workforce is ready to deliver. This highlights a disconnect between strategic ambition and actual capability on the ground.
• Leadership Development Needs: 86.7% of organizations see leadership development as critical, but many lack programs that align with today’s digital and AI-driven demands.
• Limited Data Utilization: 93.3% value data and analytics, but only 33.3% use them effectively in learning and performance. The gap reflects challenges in applying insights to real workforce outcomes.
• High Intent, Low Execution: 83% of Indian BFSI firms list digital transformation as a top priority, but only 31% believe their workforce is ready to deliver on it. This highlights a significant gap between vision and execution, especially in applying AI for customer insights and operational agility.
• Structural Barriers: The report identifies poor leadership alignment, outdated talent strategies, and weak learning infrastructure as the three major challenges holding organizations back.
KNOLSKAPE’s 2025 BFSI report highlights a decisive shift in industry skill priorities, with digital fluency, leadership, and emotional intelligence emerging as key focus areas. However, a significant gap remains as most organizations still lack leaders equipped for change in AI and data-driven decision-making. Despite 78% of firms actively exploring generative AI and 93% recognizing the importance of analytics, just 33% express confidence in their ability to effectively leverage these tools.
The report urges urgent upskilling through AI-powered leadership programs, data literacy training, and simulation-based learning. As BFSI undergoes rapid digital transformation, firms must invest in people, not just platforms to stay ahead.
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- By Neel Achary
9, Jul 2025
IIM Bodh Gaya joins hands with Fortis Healthcare to strengthen healthcare management education
Bodh Gaya, July 09, 2025: IIM Bodh Gaya has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fortis Healthcare to advance healthcare management education. Under this partnership, Fortis Healthcare will help strengthen the courses related to managing hospital business as part of the MBA (HHM) programme at IIM Bodh Gaya. Fortis Healthcare will also offer summer internships and placements to students of IIM Bodh Gaya enrolled in the MBA (HHM) programme at its hospital and healthcare facilities in India and abroad.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Vinita Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya and Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, Managing Director & CEO of Fortis Healthcare, in the presence of Mr. Ranjan Pandey, CHRO, Fortis Healthcare. Dr. Swapnarag Swain, Chairperson of the MBA (HHM) programme at IIM Bodh Gaya, elaborated on the three-fold scope of this MoU.
As part of the collaboration, IIM Bodh Gaya and Fortis will also jointly curate training programs and organise events such as healthcare management conclaves, round table discussions, seminars, workshops, and conferences aimed at fostering knowledge-sharing, innovation, and discussions on pertinent issues in the hospital and healthcare management domain.
IIM Bodh Gaya launched its two-year full-time MBA in Hospital & Healthcare Management (MBA-HHM) in 2023. The programme is designed to provide a holistic appreciation of the entire healthcare industry and mould industry-ready management talent for the area, including large corporate hospitals, public health, health insurance, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, and healthcare consulting.
IIM Bodh Gaya is constantly stepping up to make a significant contribution to the healthcare industry and is committed to establishing itself as a centre of excellence for healthcare management education and research in India. This strategic collaboration between two key organisations in their respective domains aims to open new avenues in creating academic excellence and social impact.
9, Jul 2025
Jaipuria School of Business Welcomes PGDM Batch 2025–27 with Prarambh Orientation
Ghaziabad, July 9, 2025: Jaipuria School of Business, Ghaziabad, inaugurated its 15-day Orientation Programme, “Prarambh”, for the incoming PGDM Batch 2025–2027, marking the beginning of an inspiring journey for the new batch of future business leaders.
The programme was graced by Chief Guest Mr. Vinod Sharma, Managing Director, Deki Electronics, who delivered a thought-provoking address centered around three powerful metaphors. He encouraged students to behave like the Earth – grounded, humble, and constantly rotating, reminding them to keep evolving through self-discipline and continuous development. Drawing attention to global transformations, he urged students to observe the revolutions happening in every field – technology, economics, society—and be aware of the geopolitical landscape shaping the business world. He concluded by asking students to be like a gyroscope – maintaining balance, choosing the right peers, staying steady through challenges, and creating value not just for themselves but for their entire sector.
Mr. Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman, Jaipuria Group of Institutions, delivered a powerful welcome address, urging students to be determined in the pursuit of their goals and never fear failure. He advised them not to postpone tasks for tomorrow and to maintain a healthy work-life balance as they grow in their careers. He also stressed the importance of strong decision-making skills in an AI-driven era, advocating for the responsible use of Generative AI.
The event was also graced by Mr. Vinod Malhotra, Senior Advisor, Jaipuria Group of Institutions, Dr. Rajiv R. Thakur, Director General, Dr. Tapan Kumar Nayak, Director-JSB, and Dr. Nitin Kumar Saxena, Dean – Academics, who extended a warm welcome to the new students. All speakers emphasized the importance of embracing values, adaptability, and technology-readiness in today’s competitive environment.
“Prarambh” features interactive sessions, workshops, and industry engagements to equip students with the mindset and skills for their PGDM journey ahead.
9, Jul 2025
ABE Endorsed KidsMBA Launched at MEGA International School, Bangalore
Bangalore, 9th July, 2025: KidsMBA, a pioneering global programme in youth entrepreneurship education, was successfully launched at MEGA International School at Bangalore. The event, held at the school auditorium, marked a milestone in advancing early business education in India, aiming to equip students aged 11 to 15 with essential entrepreneurial and leadership skills.
Originally developed in the United Kingdom, the KidsMBA programme introduces young learners to the fundamentals of business, including marketing, finance, ethical leadership, and sustainability. The curriculum is both practical and immersive, culminating in a “Shark Tank”-style pitching session where students present business ideas, build confidence, and hone their persuasive communication.
The launch event witnessed an enthusiastic turnout of students, educators, and thought leaders. Key speakers included Prof Mark Watson-Gandy OBE, Founder and Chairman of KidsMBA, Emanuella Watson-Gandy, CEO of KidsMBA, Linda Wilkin, Marketing Director at ABE; Dr Sami Ulla, CEO of MEGA group of institutions and Vinayak Sudhakar, ABE Regional Manager for India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Their addresses highlighted the growing importance of entrepreneurial education in shaping resilient, future-ready students.
Dr Ritu Chauhan, Director and Senior Principal of MEGA International School, also spoke at the event. Emphasizing the school’s commitment to holistic education, she shared: “At MEGA, we believe that education must evolve with the times. The KidsMBA programme is an incredible opportunity for our students to develop not just business skills, but a mindset of innovation, responsibility, and confidence. We’re proud to be among the first in India to bring this global initiative to our learners.”
Emanuella Watson-Gandy echoed this sentiment, stating, “KidsMBA is about more than teaching business—it’s about creating a spark in young minds. We’ve seen firsthand how early exposure to entrepreneurial thinking builds character, resilience, and leadership. The students at MEGA International School showed tremendous enthusiasm, and we are excited to see what they go on to achieve.”
Endorsed by ABE, a respected UK-based awarding organisation that specialises in international business and entrepreneurship education, KidsMBA combines academic rigour with real-world applicability. ABE’s global endorsement ensures that the curriculum meets international standards and is relevant to today’s evolving economy.
Since its founding in 2016 by Prof Mark Watson-Gandy, KidsMBA has expanded across continents and has been recognised by Forbes as one of the top global programmes for young entrepreneurs. Its introduction at MEGA International School signals a strong step forward in mainstreaming entrepreneurship within India’s school education system.
With this launch, MEGA International School reaffirms its mission to deliver globally benchmarked, future-focused education. The partnership with ABE and KidsMBA underscores a shared vision—to raise a generation of socially conscious, innovative, and empowered young leaders prepared for the demands of the global economy.
9, Jul 2025
Manglam Group, Fern Hotels to Launch 200-Key Apart’otel in Jaipur
Manglam Group and The Fern Hotels Join Forces for 200+ Key Serviced Apart’otel in Jaipur
Jaipur/Delhi, July 09, 2025: Manglam Group, one of Rajasthan’s most respected and diversified real estate companies, has signed a new 200+ key serviced apart’otel under the Fern Habitat brand. The property will be developed as part of Pinkwalk, Manglam Group’s flagship mixed-use development in Jagatpura, Jaipur.
This collaboration brings together Manglam Group’s development expertise and Fern’s extensive experience in launching and managing serviced apart’hotels across India. Designed for both short and extended stays, The Fern Habitat Pinkwalk will feature thoughtfully designed units with private living areas, kitchenettes, and hotel-grade services such as daily housekeeping and on-site dining — blending the freedom of apartment living with the ease of a hotel. The experience reflects both brands’ shared commitment to sustainable, guest-focused hospitality.
Pinkwalk, spread across 21,000 sq. yd., is a landmark integrated development offering over 950 commercial and studio spaces, complemented by modern amenities including a food court, clubhouse, multiplex, gaming zones, and open sit-outs. Strategically located on Mahal Road, it offers seamless connectivity to educational hubs, hospitals, and Jaipur airport, making it an ideal address for business and leisure travelers alike.
Speaking on the announcement, Ms. Amrita Gupta, Director, Manglam Group, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with The Fern Hotels & Resorts — a respected and future-focused hospitality brand that resonates with our values. This signing marks a significant step in Manglam Hospitality’s journey to create thoughtfully designed, sustainable spaces that offer authentic experiences. Over the years, we have consistently delivered hospitality that caters to a wide spectrum of guests, from families and leisure travellers to corporate and event-based clientele. With The Fern Habitat at Pink Walk, we aim to extend that legacy by offering a refined, inclusive, and eco-conscious stay that reflects the evolving aspirations of today’s traveller.”
Manglam Group has been aggressively expanding its footprint in the hospitality sector with strategic partnerships — first with Westin and now with Fern Hotels & Resorts — as part of its vision to deliver thoughtfully designed, high-quality experiences that cater to evolving guest expectations. The Fern Habitat Pinkwalk is the latest addition to its multi-year roadmap to develop five premium hospitality properties across Rajasthan and Goa, supported by a ₹1,000 crore investment. These developments, located in key tourism and business hubs, aim to serve high-growth segments such as leisure travel and corporate stays, and are rooted in a commitment to sustainability, cultural authenticity, and service excellence.
9, Jul 2025
Samsung Set to Unveil Thinnest and Toughest Foldables Yet
GURUGRAM, India – July 9, 2025: South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics is all set to launch its latest foldable smartphones in Brooklyn, New York on July 9. Samsung is known for its visionary thinking and bold ideas that shape the future, so it’s only fitting that Samsung unveils the latest and greatest additions to the Galaxy portfolio in a place known for its culture, creativity and collaboration. The company has teased that the upcoming foldables – now in their seventh generation – will be the thinnest, lightest and most durable of all.
First introduced in 2019, Galaxy Z Fold signalled the herald of a new folding category of smartphones for consumers, combining the portability of a smartphone with the extensive productivity of a tablet. However, the category has remained small due to high prices and concerns around durability and longevity of foldable devices.
These are the key areas that Samsung is likely to address, when TM Roh, the acting head of the Company’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, takes the stage in a Brooklyn Convention Centre later this week. The Company recently said that its engineers and designers are refining each generation of the Galaxy Z series to be thinner, lighter and more durable than the last.
Samsung has also teased camera innovations, indicating that the new foldable devices will feature a more powerful, dynamic and immersive camera system. According to Samsung’s recent teasers, the company is likely to bring the Galaxy S25 series’ Ultra camera experience to the new Galaxy Z Fold7. This means that the Galaxy Fold series may get its first flagship camera, removing a big pain point among consumers who wanted to adopt foldables phones but were not impressed with its camera.
Samsung is also likely to continue with its strategy to bring more AI features with Galaxy AI, which the company says goes beyond what devices can do and is about how people interact with them. The Company is also expected to launch a new AI-powered interface, supported by breakthrough hardware.
9, Jul 2025
Kipp App Launched by Galgotias Student on Apple App Store
Noida, July 9, 2025 – Galgotias University proudly announces the launch of Kipp – Smart Sticky Notes, Reimagined, an innovative note-taking app now live on the Apple App Store. Designed and developed by Shams Tabrej Alam, a B.Tech CSE student (Batch 2022–2026) from the university’s iOS Development Center, Kipp reflects the spirit of modern, student-led innovation fostered at Galgotias.
Conceived during the WWDC 2025 Swift Student Challenge, Kipp began as a personal project aimed at creating a minimal, smart productivity app. It has since evolved into a full-fledged product featuring gesture controls, auto-expiring notes, dark mode, voice memos, and clutter-free reminders — all with no login or ads. Designed for students, creators, and professionals alike, Kipp is a digital companion for a more focused and simplified life.
Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, stated, “We are immensely proud of Shams and the incredible journey of Kipp. This reflects our strong commitment to experiential learning and enabling students to become creators of technology, not just users. Our iOS Development Center, in collaboration with Apple and Infosys, continues to empower young minds to innovate fearlessly and deliver global-impact solutions.”
About the iOS Development Center at Galgotias University:
Established in February 2024 in partnership with Apple and Infosys, the iOS Development Center is a premier facility for app innovation and learning. It provides students with direct exposure to Swift programming, UI/UX design, and Apple’s development ecosystem, shaping the next generation of technology leaders.
About Galgotias University
Galgotias University Among the World’s Leading Universities in QS and THE Rankings. Galgotias University proudly ascends in the QS World University Rankings 2026 by Quacquarelli Symonds, securing a coveted position in the 1201–1400 global band. Ranked 15th among top private universities and 43rd among all Indian universities—public and private combined—this achievement marks a powerful endorsement of Galgotias’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence, global relevance, and innovation in higher education.
In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025, Galgotias University has been ranked 45th among Indian universities (including both government and private institutions) and placed in the globally prestigious 1001–1200 band. This significant achievement reinforces the university’s growing stature in the international academic arena and validates its consistent progress in global higher education benchmarks.
These recognitions reflect Galgotias University’s strategic focus on teaching quality, research impact, internationalization, and industry relevance, and its mission to shape globally competent graduates prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.
9, Jul 2025
New Relic Announces Lauren Nemeth as Chief Revenue Officer
Bangalore, India – July 9, 2025 — New Relic, the Intelligent Observability company, announced the appointment of Lauren Nemeth as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Nemeth will lean on her extensive go-to-market (GTM) leadership experience from leading enterprises, large service providers and developer technology brands to ensure continued growth of New Relic’s business worldwide.
Nemeth brings to New Relic more than two decades of experience building and growing leading technology businesses, both as a sales and product leader. She has successfully commercialized products for pre-revenue startups to large businesses generating more than $4.5 billion in revenue, as well as guided six companies through successful acquisitions and two IPOs. Prior to joining New Relic, Nemeth held positions including Chief Operating Officer at Pinecone, and CRO at Twilio, where she was instrumental in scaling the company while overseeing customer and partner success, operations, support, field engineering, carrier relations and marketing. She has also held C-level positions at Nextdoor, Turn and URX.
“With her proven track record of growing global technology brands, leading product development, and ensuring that customers get the full value of the technology they use – combined with her AI-forward thinking – Lauren is exactly the multifaceted executive we are looking for to capitalize on this market opportunity and lead the company through its next phase of growth,” said New Relic Chief Executive Officer Ashan Willy. “Her unique experience and passion for our industry will be instrumental in helping us empower more businesses worldwide to benefit from intelligent observability.”
The New Relic Intelligent Observability Platform helps businesses eliminate interruptions in digital experiences. 85,000 businesses around the world run on New Relic to drive innovation, improve reliability, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
“It’s the perfect time to join New Relic, as the company is seeing strong business success and growth thanks to its innovative platform and differentiated AI capabilities,” said Chief Revenue Officer Lauren Nemeth. “I look forward to working closely with our customers and partners to meet the ever growing needs for observability in the age of AI.”
9, Jul 2025
Shalini Passi Shares Her Skincare Must-Have: BiE’s Superpower Cream
Shalini Passi on the One Skincare Essential She Swears By — BiE’s Iconic Superpower Cream
Beauty by BiE, celebrated for its precision-led approach to clean skincare, now unveils its latest cultural moment: a collaboration with patron of the arts and design maven Shalini Passi.
Shalini has long stood at the intersection of individuality and aesthetics. Her now-iconic remark, “I don’t hold grudges, it affects my skin”, isn’t just wit, but worldview. One that echoes BiE’s belief: skincare isn’t just ritual, it’s reflection.
This product-forward visual story is anchored in intention. At its centre: BiE’s cult-favourite Superpower Eternal Youth Cream, a formula Shalini swears by. Meticulously crafted with 14+ active ingredients, including hand pressed almond oil, squalane, and plant stem cells, the cream draws on over five decades of clinical expertise to visibly firm, brighten and restore skin’s natural elasticity. Its luxurious, cushiony texture delivers deep hydration while supporting long-term skin health, making it equally effective as part of a streamlined daily routine or as an intensive overnight mask.
For Shalini, it’s a staple. A fixture on her bedside table, seamlessly folded into her ritual. “It’s one of the few things I come back to. It’s my secret to luminous skin,” she shares. And when her skin craves more, after a long day, a late night, or in between travels, she simply layers on a little extra before bed, waking up to skin that looks rested, nourished, and beautifully reset.
With its anti-aging activities and deeply restorative texture, the cream mirrors the philosophy behind the campaign: timeless, intentional, and powerful.
9, Jul 2025
ITB India 2025 Launches New Theme: The Business of Experience
Mumbai, 9th July, 2025: ITB India returns for its fourth edition from 2 – 4 September 2025 at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, under the theme “The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targeted Growth.” Co-located with MICE Show India and Travel Tech India, the event offers a powerful B2B platform spotlighting personalized, experience-driven travel solutions tailored for the Indian and South Asian markets.
With 400+ exhibitors, 600+ qualified buyers, and over 8,000 attendees expected, ITB India 2025 will present niche travel experiences—from wellness escapes and cinematic journeys to spiritual and cultural explorations. Key participants include tourism boards from countries such as India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia (Sarawak), Kenya, and Sri Lanka, alongside leading hotels, DMCs, airlines, and travel tech providers.
“India and South Asia are evolving into experience-first travel markets. ITB India 2025 is a catalyst for innovation and strategic partnerships to meet this growing demand,” said Darren Seah, Executive Director, Messe Berlin Asia Pacific.
ITB India 2025 will spotlight several standout features designed to bring its theme of curated travel to life. Experience Zones will offer immersive showcases where attendees can sample local cuisines, explore wellness therapies, and experience destinations through virtual reality. The Buyer Elite Programme, supported by leading associations like ADTOI, ATOAI, NIMA, and TIA, will facilitate targeted matchmaking between exhibitors and high-quality buyers. A special focus will be on Indian Film Tourism, featuring panel discussions, B2B meetings, and partnership opportunities with production houses to explore cinema-inspired travel. Complementing these is a dynamic conference programme that will cover cutting-edge topics such as AI-driven personalization, measuring ROI from curated experiences, and sustainable travel strategies tailored to today’s experiential traveller.
