SINGAPORE — October 28-30, 2026 — Bringing together academic leaders and admissions directors from across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, ISBR Business School recently represented India at the prestigious GMAC Asia Conference 2026, hosted at the NUS Business School.
Specifically, the global summit addressed a central question facing higher education today: how international management institutions can effectively prepare the next generation of global business leaders.
Event Summary Table
| Parameter | Details |
| Event Name | GMAC Asia Conference 2026 |
| Host Venue | NUS Business School, Singapore |
| Representing ISBR | Dr. Manish Kothari (Founder President, ISBR Institutions) |
| Key Session | Panel Discussion: “The Home Advantage” |
| Session Moderator | Themin Suwardy (Singapore Management University) |
| Delegation Scope | Academic and admissions leaders from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond |
| Core Objective | Discuss regional higher education shifts and build actionable international academic partnerships |
Executive Panel: The Home Advantage
Dr. Manish Kothari, Founder President of ISBR Institutions, represented India during the high-level panel discussion titled “The Home Advantage.” Moderated by Themin Suwardy of Singapore Management University, the panel explored evolving student mobility trends across emerging markets.
Because top-tier Indian candidates increasingly choose world-class education closer to home, Dr. Kothari emphasized that educational institutions face a heightened responsibility. Consequently, management schools must continuously elevate academic rigor, research capabilities, and corporate engagement to match international standards locally.
- Shifting Student Priorities: First, Dr. Kothari detailed why high-caliber Indian students are electing to pursue business education within domestic institutions.
- Institutional Accountability: In addition, he highlighted how this domestic shift obligates Indian institutions to deliver globally benchmarked learning environments.
- Affinity Group Leadership: Furthermore, Dr. Kothari co-facilitated the conference’s Affinity Group session alongside Themin Suwardy.
- Moving to Actionable Coalitions: Next, he urged participating universities to move beyond diplomatic agreements and build active cross-border institutional alliances.
- Expanding Global Footprint: Finally, he reaffirmed ISBR’s mission to connect management scholars in Bengaluru with global industries and international academic networks.
Expanding Global Exposure for ISBR Bengaluru
Because internationalization remains a strategic priority for ISBR, participating in the GMAC Asia Conference 2026 directly reinforces the institution’s commitment to global exposure. As a result, students at the Bengaluru campus continue to benefit from enriched curricula, global immersion initiatives, and cross-continental perspectives.
“This global dialogue exemplifies our vision for management education,” stated the executive delegation. “Therefore, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) for convening this vital community and to every international delegate who contributed to these transformative conversations.”
Overall, the summit highlights ISBR Business School’s growing footprint as a thought leader in global higher education and international institutional collaboration.
