Harvard Business School Conducts Participant-Centered Learning Workshop for Indian Doctoral Students in Mumbai

Growing Need for Advanced Management Teaching Skills in India
India has a rich tradition of academic excellence, producing globally recognized educators, including the late Prof. C.K. Prahalad, Prof. Srikant Datar, Prof. Vijay Govindarajan, and Dr. Dipak Jain—along with many other distinguished scholars who have made a significant impact worldwide. However, while doctoral programs emphasize research, they often provide limited training in teaching methodologies. The HBS initiative addressed this gap, empowering future faculty members to engage students through dynamic, discussion-based learning.

"Effective teaching is not just about delivering content—it’s about enabling students to think critically, debate ideas, and apply knowledge to real-world challenges," said Professor Rohit Deshpande, Baker Foundation Professor and Sebastian S. Kresge Professor of Marketing, Emeritus at HBS. He further added, "Through this workshop, we aim to prepare doctoral students to become not only scholars but also impactful educators."

Professor Willis Emmons, Senior Lecturer and Director of the C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning at HBS, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the teaching pipeline. "Our goal is to strengthen the pipeline of innovative business educators in India," Professor Emmons said. He further added, "By sharing best practices in participant-centered learning, we aim to create lasting change in how business education is delivered."

Diverse Participation from Leading Institutions
The Doctoral Participant-Centered Learning Workshop Harvard Business School attracted doctoral students from top business schools and management institutes across India, including the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Indore, Lucknow, Kozhikode, and others. Scholars from other prominent institutions such as FMS Delhi, Indian School of Business (ISB), IIT Bombay, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon attended the program.

Insights from the Workshop
The workshop offered two days of deep discussions and thought-provoking insights. The workshop was led by Professors Rohit Deshpande and Willis Emmons, seasoned educators known for their expertise in participant-based teaching and faculty development. Participants engaged in a hands-on learning approach through case discussions, practicum sessions, and interactive breakouts. On day 1 of the workshop, participants were taught the best practices, techniques, and possible signals to look out for in leveraging participant-centered learning in their classrooms. On day 2, participants were asked to implement and conduct a demo-class.

During the workshop, participants used the popular Harvard Case "Coca-Cola's New Vending Machine” to understand the nuances of effective teaching through the case method. 

Workshop Gets Positive Response from Participants 
The workshop received a positive response from participants, who appreciated the engaging discussions, hands-on learning experiences, and the opportunity to enhance their teaching skills. 

Harvard Business Publishing Education, a key partner in this initiative, reaffirmed its dedication to equipping educators with cutting-edge teaching resources. “At Harvard Business Publishing, we are committed to empowering educators with tools that shape the future of learning. This initiative reflects our belief in fostering the next generation of business leaders in India,” said Sumit Harjani, Managing Director of Harvard Business Publishing Education. 

Harvard Business School (HBS) is a world leader in business education, known for pioneering the case method and participant-centered learning. Harvard Business School India Research Center (IRC) supports HBS' engagement with the South Asian region through research, faculty development, and educational programs that address South Asia's unique challenges and opportunities. Harvard Business Publishing Education (HBP) provides experiential learning content and resources to educators and business professionals worldwide, including case studies, simulations, and educational materials that advance learning outcomes.

Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates and insights on Indian management education.