IIM Ahmedabad and BoA partner to set up a Centre for Digital Transformation

Announcing the launch of the centre, Professor Errol D’Souza, Director, IIMA, said, “Advancements in the information technology sector are growing rapidly and transforming the way we function. The pandemic has further revealed the value of digital operating models and the need for industry, institutions, and nations to ramp up their adoption of technology. Therefore, it becomes imperative that we study the impact of this digital transformation on business, government, individuals and society.”

CDT was launched at an event attended by the faculty members of IIMA, along with industry leaders and academic institutions around the globe.

“Our global economy is quickly becoming more reliant on digital technologies as underscored by our current environment,” said Cathy Bessant, Bank of America Chief Operations and Technology Officer.

“With the development of digital economies increasing at an exponential rate, shared learning and best practices are critical for shaping the future for our governments, private industry and universities. It’s how we’ll ensure we’re creating and implementing technology responsibly," she added.

The centre has also set up an advisory council on 'Responsible Digital Transformation' that is tasked to bring stakeholders to deliberate on the urgent needs and varying perspectives on digitalization, includes Dr Ritu Agarwal, Senior Associate Dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland; Debjani Ghosh, President of NASSCOM; Rajesh Gopinathan, and the CEO of Tata Consultancy Services; Nandan Nilekani among others.

The centre's advisory committee is jointly chaired by Cathy Bessant, Chief Operations & Technology Officer for (Bank of America), and the founding chair Dr Pankaj Setia- Professor of Information Systems, IIMA.

“Over the last decade, the Indian government has empowered citizens to access social security, financial products, education and health services using digitization as the key enabler,” said Kaku Nakhate, India Country Head, Bank of America (BoA).

Professor  Pankaj Setia, Founding Chair, 'Centre for Digital Transformation', IIMA said, “The Centre of Digital Transformation aims to engage in various activities that guide thought and action in the digital era. Specifically, the Centre will focus on activities that enhance an understanding of the digital ecosystem and catalyse leadership, as it leverages its expertise in research and development to provide thought leadership for digital transformation.”