ROHTAK: Professor Dheeraj P. Sharma, Director, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, received the prestigious AGBA 2026 Outstanding Innovation Academic Leader Award at the 22nd Academy of Global Business Development (AGBA) World Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The award, considered one of AGBA’s highest awards, recognizes Professor Sharma’s significant contributions to business education, research and academic leadership. The honor was awarded at the opening of a three-day global congress that brought together representatives from 22 countries, 104 universities and several international organizations.A highlight of the event was the professor’s international press conference. Sharma’s book Understanding India’s Youth: The Tendencies of Generation Z. The book explores the aspirations, values and behavioral characteristics of India’s Gen Z and explores how this emerging group is impacting education, business and society.Professor Sharma, while delivering his keynote address, emphasized the importance of understanding the younger generation in an increasingly digital and rapidly changing world. He noted that Generation Z is well-informed, digital and driven by experience, purpose and flexibility rather than traditional career paths and long-term commitments.The AGBA World Congress will be held from July 2 to 4 and is organized by IIM Rohtak in collaboration with leading international universities. The theme of the conference is “Business and Entrepreneurship Development in the Era of Globalization and Digitalization”.The opening session focused on the impact of global uncertainty and geopolitical conflicts on business sentiment, with participants also exploring opportunities to enhance entrepreneurship, hospitality and tourism in an increasingly complex global environment.
