Overview

On June 5, 2026, S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) hosted the TPO Summit 2026 (Bengaluru edition) at The Chancery Hotel, Bengaluru. The summit convened Training and Placement Officers (TPOs) from leading engineering and non‑engineering institutions alongside senior HR leaders from diverse industries to examine the evolving landscape of campus recruitment and to strengthen industry‑academia collaboration.

Key Themes Discussed

The panel focused on three principal areas:

1. AI’s impact on hiring – Speakers highlighted that while AI is reshaping roles and workplace expectations, it is unlikely to replace professionals who blend technological proficiency with strong human capabilities. This view aligns with the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which states that 86 % of employers expect AI and information‑processing technologies to transform their businesses by 2030.

2. Gen Z aspirations and workplace culture – Discussions addressed the changing expectations of the emerging workforce, emphasizing the need for institutions to prepare students for a seamless transition from campus to corporate life.

3. Human‑centred skills – The report underscores analytical thinking as the top core skill, with seven out of ten companies rating it essential, followed by resilience, flexibility, agility, leadership and social influence.

Notable Quotations

  • Bhishm Chugani, Director, Career Services, SPJIMR, remarked: “AI may change how we work, but human judgement, creativity, and interpersonal skills will continue to set people apart.”
  • Ramessh Misshra, Deputy Director – Marketing, SPJIMR, added: “The TPO Summit reflects SPJIMR’s commitment to creating meaningful dialogue between academia and industry, helping institutions understand employer expectations while enabling industry leaders to engage directly with future talent.”

Panel of Industry Leaders

The summit featured an eminent panel:

  • Ravikanth Eranki, Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, Cargill
  • Vijay Linus, Director – Talent Acquisition APAC, CGI
  • Leetha Prajesh, Senior Director – Talent Acquisition, APAC & India, Amadeus Software
  • Neha Srivastava, Senior VP – HR, MetricStream
  • Sipra Majumdar, Director – People & Culture, SiMa.ai
  • Sridevi NV, CPO, VTU
  • Satender Sighadia, Head – HR, GPS Renewables

Emphasis on Collaboration

A recurring theme was the importance of communication, collaboration, adaptability, critical thinking and other interpersonal skills alongside technical expertise. Panelists stressed that future‑ready talent will be defined not only by knowledge but also by the ability to work effectively with others and navigate change. Participants explored concrete ways to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace readiness, including continuous engagement, curriculum inputs, experiential learning opportunities, and stronger recruiter‑institution partnerships.

About SPJIMR

SPJIMR, a constituent of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, is recognised in the Financial Times MiM rankings as the #35 business school globally and among the Top 3 in India. It is also ranked by Business Today as one of the country’s top five business schools and rated by the Positive Impact Rating as one of the top five schools worldwide for societal impact. The institute holds the international ‘Triple Crown’ accreditations from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.

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