Manish Gangwar, Associate Professor, Indian School of Business and Executive Director – ISB Institute of Data Science

CDO Magazine publishes everything outstanding that is happening in the world of data and analytics. We introduce you to remarkable data organizations and great leaders through our special lists and nominations. We work throughout the year to bring you the latest in what is breaking down barriers and setting trends in the world of data. Our lists recognize the tremendous work performed to advance the cause of data and analytics worldwide, and we showcase the thought leaders’ accomplishments in their specific lines of work.

Our Leading Data Academic Leaders List 2022 honors these great academic leaders, introducing them on a global platform where they share their insights and work, highlighting their significant successes in the previous year, the challenges they faced, and their aspirations and goals for 2022.

Introducing: Manish Gangwar, Associate Professor, Indian School of Business and Executive Director- ISB Institute of Data Science (Hyderabad, India)

1. What were your most significant achievements in 2021, specifically in the last two years, and why?  

In a COVID world, a technology-enabled sustainable model of teaching has emerged. The concept of campus has been revised. Successfully providing technology into the student experience has been a significant achievement. At my organization, we have seen an increase in the number of enrolled students, despite significant changes in teaching methods. Providing an innovative and engaging experience for the student was a big challenge. Reconceptualizing teaching and learning has been most important in these COVID times. Instead of delivering lectures, we have become engaging facilitators of knowledge.

2. What challenges are you facing in the academic data field? 

Addressing the algorithmic biases and explainability has been a big challenge for the AI and ML community. From the practice perspective, institutions need to embrace and harness technology to transform institutional outcomes.The most challenging aspects are fine-tuning the balance among operational efficiency, agility, and workforce development. 

3. What traits and qualities are required to be a successful academic data leader? 

Perseverance and hard work are the two most essential traits for an academician. A compelling vision of the future, extrapolating from current trends and incorporating them into teaching and investing in research. 

4. Tell us about your priorities in 2022. What are your key targets? 

Data Science encompasses theoretical and practical aspects of Big Data, predictive analytics, and AI. At ISB Institute of Data Science (IIDS), we aim to offer a state-of-the-art learning platform, hands-on and immersive learning to transform our students into industry-ready data scientists who can offer real-life, data-driven business solutions to their organizations.

5. What advice would you offer aspiring academic leaders to help them prepare for the role? 

Data Science is not a new field. However, with access to higher computing power and data storage capabilities, the area has evolved rapidly in the last decade. Academic leaders indulge not only in teaching but in research, too. An aspiring academic leader should have a compelling vision of the future. They should focus their energy on learning new skills and devote ample time for research, keeping an eye on the industry’s challenges and addressing these issues, be it descriptive, predictive, or prescriptive analytics.

Manish Gangwar is Associate Professor at the Indian School of Business (ISB) and Executive Director of the Institute of Data Science and Advanced Management Programme in Business Analytics at ISB. Professor Gangwar holds a Ph.D. in Management Science from the University of Texas at Dallas. He has an MS from the University of Kentucky, a BE from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, and many years of industry experience. His research interest explores pricing, marketing, and product line issues using game theory, machine learning, and econometrics.  He was previously Associate Dean, Research and RCI Management at ISB and recognized as one of India’s most prominent data science academicians.

Manish Gangwar is one of our Leading Academic Data Leaders in 2022. To discover the full list, click here now.