IIM Kozhikode Concludes ‘Reimagining Keralam’ Leadership Retreat for Kerala Cabinet

The two-day residential strategic leadership retreat ‘Reimagining Keralam’, organised by the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode) for the Kerala Council of Ministers, concluded on Saturday with the entire 21-member State Cabinet participating in discussions, interactive sessions and experiential learning activities.

Led by Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, the retreat brought together the State’s political leadership and faculty members of IIM Kozhikode to deliberate on key issues shaping Kerala’s future, including higher education, healthcare, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, entrepreneurship, employment, sustainable development, the silver economy and the State’s global positioning.

The Ministers were also awarded certificates by IIM Kozhikode for their participation in the classroom-based strategic learning exercise.

Focus on Long-Term Governance and Development

The second day of the retreat built on the discussions held during the first day, which focused on transformational leadership, healthcare and wellness, climate resilience, disaster preparedness and the science of making governance work.

Day 2 expanded the discussions to areas including higher education, eldercare, entrepreneurship, employment, sustainable growth and Kerala’s positioning in the global economy.

The Ministers participated in team-building exercises, case-based discussions and experiential learning activities designed to encourage collective reflection on policy and governance.

International examples of good governance were also discussed, with participants exploring how successful global practices could be adapted to Kerala’s social and economic context.

The Ministers also shared their experiences of the retreat through messages written on a canvas under the theme “From Cabinet to Class.”

IIM Kozhikode Director Highlights Cabinet’s Enthusiasm

Reflecting on the programme, Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director, IIM Kozhikode, said the enthusiasm and inquisitiveness shown by the Cabinet made the two-day engagement particularly meaningful.

He said the discussions remained focused on translating ideas into policy and performance, covering areas such as the blue and silver economies, Gen Z, migration, higher education, healthcare, wellness, palliative care and Kerala’s global positioning.

Prof. Chatterjee expressed pride that IIM Kozhikode was able to support Kerala’s leadership through the strategic learning initiative and contribute to discussions aimed at the larger public good.

Kerala as a Destination for Higher Education

One of the major sessions on Day 2 was titled “Towards Excellence in Higher Education: Building Keralam as a Destination.”

The session was led by Prof. Satish Krishnan, Prof. Sreejesh S, Prof. Devaprasad M, Prof. Ankur Jain and Prof. Silpa Satheesh.

The discussion examined how Kerala could become a preferred destination for talented young people seeking education, careers and long-term opportunities.

Instead of focusing only on filling vacant seats, the session explored broader questions such as:

• Improving academic quality

• Understanding student preferences

• Creating stronger career pathways

• Increasing industry exposure

• Strengthening research opportunities

• Making Kerala attractive for students to stay, return and build their careers

The discussions emphasised the need for Kerala’s higher education ecosystem to evolve in line with changing aspirations and employment opportunities.

‘The Care Ledger’ Explores Kerala’s Silver Economy

The growing needs of Kerala’s ageing population were examined through a management game titled “The Care Ledger”, led by Prof. Priya Nair and Prof. Deepa Sethi.

Using three geriatric-care cases, Ministers examined different approaches to eldercare infrastructure, workforce requirements, technology, social protection and local delivery mechanisms.

The exercise also explored how responsibilities for eldercare could be distributed among the State, families, contributory funds and the market.

The discussions highlighted the importance of developing an equitable and financially sustainable eldercare system, while also protecting vulnerable elderly people and supporting family caregivers.

Sustainable Growth and ‘Puthuyuga Keralam’

The session “Prosperity with a Purpose”, led by Prof. Venkataraman S, Prof. Mridul Saggar and Prof. Vipin Veetil, focused on developing a growth strategy for Puthuyuga Keralam.

The faculty explored sectors where Kerala can build on its existing strengths, including:

• Education

• Plantations and agroforestry

• Health and wellness

• Eco-tourism

The discussion stressed the importance of environmentally and socially responsible growth.

The faculty also examined alternative approaches to financing development beyond conventional budgetary resources, including greater engagement with the market around a credible sustainable-growth narrative.

Employment and Entrepreneurship Challenge Discussed

Kerala’s employment and entrepreneurship landscape was another major area of discussion.

Prof. Arqum Mateen, Prof. Ashutosh Sarkar and Prof. Nycil George led a session focusing on job creation, entrepreneurship and skill gaps.

The discussion highlighted what was described as Kerala’s paradox of exporting talent while importing labour.

The faculty explored the need for customised interventions for different groups of potential job creators, including graduates, returning technocrats, farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

Stronger ecosystems involving capital, mentoring and market access were identified as important elements for building a sustainable culture of entrepreneurship in the State.

Positioning Kerala on the Global Stage

The concluding session brought together key insights from the retreat and examined what Puthuyuga Keralam should offer and represent to different stakeholder groups, including residents, industries, investors, tourists and the diaspora.

The session was led by Prof. Rajesh Upadhyayula, Prof. Gladys S and Prof. Aishwarya Ramasundaram.

Drawing on Singapore’s experience of developing a strong global identity, the discussion examined the need for a common essence in how Kerala is positioned and communicated to different audiences.

The session also explored how Kerala could strengthen its identity while retaining its widely recognised image as “God’s Own Country.”

Prof. Debashis Chatterjee used the metaphor of different colours coming together from a single source of light to underline the importance of a unified Kerala with a distinctive identity and purpose.

Ministers Seek Continued Engagement with IIM Kozhikode

The Cabinet’s response to the two-day retreat was marked by active participation, curiosity and appreciation for the academic and experiential approach.

Ministers particularly appreciated discussions covering:

• Disaster management

• Healthcare and wellness

• Citizen behaviour and public policy

• Eldercare

• Entrepreneurship

• Higher education

• International examples of governance

Several Ministers also expressed interest in continuing their engagement with IIM Kozhikode and returning to the campus for further learning and discussions.

The interactive format of the retreat provided Ministers with an opportunity to step away from the immediate demands of administration and collectively reflect on longer-term policy, social and developmental challenges.

IIM Kozhikode’s Role in Public Policy and Governance

The retreat brought together Kerala’s political leadership with IIM Kozhikode faculty and international perspectives in a structured learning environment.

The programme combined contemporary management thinking, academic research, experiential learning and international examples to encourage strategic reflection and help translate ideas into meaningful policy outcomes.

Prof. Chatterjee expressed hope that Kerala would make a civilisational leap into the global space—not merely as a destination to visit, but as a place to stay, learn, innovate and contribute.

The conclusion of ‘Reimagining Keralam’ marks another significant chapter in IIM Kozhikode’s engagement with public policy and governance and could pave the way for continued academic collaboration with the Government of Kerala.

The initiative seeks to contribute to the vision of building a more prosperous, inclusive, resilient and globally connected Kerala, with education, innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development at the centre of its future growth.

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