Building excellence in University administration
Programme highlights
3 Delegations
95+ Academics and Professional Services Staff
120+ Learning Hours
IIT Bombay
How does a leading Indian institution elevate its administration capabilities? That was the question the Dean of Administrative Affairs at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) considered. Inspired by his experience at the LEAP programme sponsored by the Indian government and hosted at the University of Cambridge in early 2020, he contacted IfM Engage.
Founded in 1958, IIT Bombay is globally recognised for its excellence in engineering education and research. With a reputation for outstanding faculty and high-achieving students, the institution set its sights on strengthening all aspects of its administration, including its professional services and infrastructure leadership , to continue enhancing its academic prestige.
About the programme
The Dean envisioned a bespoke cross-functional programme combining future-focussed senior university leaders and faculty with exceptional professional and infrastructure staff, all enhanced by proven insights from the University of Cambridge.
Designed by IfM Engage and enriched by insights from Cambridge academics and senior university leaders, including the Head of HR and the previous Pro-Vice Chancellors, the programme was purpose-built for IIT Bombay. It combined strategic tools, proven frameworks, and Cambridge’s distinctive learning environment to deliver a transformative experience.
Led by Judith Shawcross, Head of Executive and Professional Development, the programme blended proven IfM methodologies with inspirational speakers, site visits to the West Cambridge campus, including teaching and research facilities at IfM, and Emergenetics psychometric profiling to enhance self-awareness and team communication.
From vision to reality: a transformative learning experience
Leading and managing large complex organisations in this rapidly evolving world is as big a challenge for universities and businesses alike, and certainly crucial for those institutions with a clear drive and ambition to become even more highly regarded and influential.
Three delegations of faculty and professional staff, including experts in HR, finance, library services, and estate management, immersed themselves in the programme. They engaged deeply with the content, asked insightful questions, and returned to IIT Bombay with actionable strategies to drive change.
The programme included:
- Pre-work to complete their Emergenetics profiles and undertake an e-learning module.
- Group activities to apply IfM tools to IIT Bombay.
- Five days of intensive learning in Cambridge
- Visits to exemplary university operations
- A formal dinner at a Cambridge college
DELEGATE FEEDBACK
“The course was exceptionally well-organized, offering highly relevant and valuable content. The faculty members were outstanding educators, addressing all our queries with clarity and expertise. Thank you immensely for everything!”
– Participant from Intake 2, IIT Bombay
Meeting IIT Bombay’s needs and delivering lasting impact
This custom programme was crafted to align precisely with IIT Bombay’s leadership and administrative ambitions, and it was built around two core goals:
- Equipping each delegation with knowledge, insights, structured approaches and tools to develop a world class university administration.
- Exploring opportunities and challenges in managing infrastructure, services, and institutional change across global university contexts.
Delegates explored key topics to identify external factors and specific drivers affecting IIT Bombay’s administration, while also pinpointing areas of focus to enable meaningful organisational change.
The programme also brought together IIT Bombay academics and staff who do not typically collaborate, strengthening personal networks and broadening understanding of different roles across the University.
High-impact learning for lasting transformation
Over a week of immersive learning, participants engaged in a blend of theory, practice, and peer collaboration through sessions such as:
- Roadmapping
- Reimagining professional services for future-readiness
- Prioritising change opportunities
- Self-awareness for effective teamwork and communication
Using structured frameworks such as Roadmapping helped participants to clarify priorities, to reimagine the role and structure of professional services, and to identify high-impact opportunities for transformation. A strong emphasis was placed on self-awareness, supported by the use of Emergenetics profiles, helping participants better understand themselves and their colleagues to foster stronger teamwork and more effective communication.
This tailored learning experience exemplifies how IfM Engage supports global universities in building resilient, forward-thinking university staff and faculty. For IIT Bombay, it marked a significant step toward creating a world-class administration – one equipped to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
“The energy and enthusiasm with which these groups of academics and staff engaged with the programme, as well as getting to know each other was exceptional. The insights and reflections shared by individuals at the end of week in Cambridge illustrated what a transformative experience it had been and some excellent ideas emerged which were subsequently implemented at IIT Bombay creating impact.”
– Judith Shawcross, Head, Executive and Professional Development, IfM Engage
The Cambridge experience
Studying in Cambridge offers more than just world-class academics, it’s an experience rooted in tradition and innovation. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world.
The city itself is home to over 5,000 knowledge-intensive companies, forming the heart of the ‘Silicon Fen’ tech cluster, which contributes more than £15 billion annually to the UK economy. The University sits at the heart of one of the world’s most successful innovation and technology clusters.
Cambridge offers a unique learning environment where centuries-old colleges sit alongside cutting-edge research labs and start-up incubators. As part of the programme experience, IIT Bombay’s delegates typically enjoy a formal dinner at one of Cambridge’s traditional colleges, offering a taste of the city’s rich academic heritage. It’s a place where students can immerse themselves in a charming, historic setting while engaging with one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems.
MEET THE IFM FACULTY
IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE FACULTY AND STAFF
- Colm Durkam
- David Cardwell
- John D. John Durrel
- Rita Monson
- Kate Livingstone
- Andrea Hudson
- Matthew Punshon
- Tamsin James Bursar of Churchill College
Judith Shawcross
Head of Executive and Professional Development
PARTNER WITH US
Enhance your programme through a collaboration with the University of Cambridge. Bring world-class research, applied insights, and a transformative international experience to your students.
Contact Judith Shawcross to explore partnership opportunities that inspire innovation, leadership, and global academic excellence.