Episode 24
How To Teach Economics & Game Theory (Indian Institute Of Mgmt Ahmedabad Prof POV) - w/ Viswanath
Is an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad really worth the hype? What actually happens inside the classrooms of India's most elite business school?
First moves to steal
- Teach Economics & Game Theory (Indian Institute Of Mgmt Ahmedabad Prof POV) - w/ Viswanath
- Viswanath breaks down why the CAT exam might be flawed, how he keeps students engaged in the age of Instagram/Reels, and the critical difference between "Business Administration" and true "Entrepreneurship." We also dive deep into his groundbreaking research on Healthcare in India (specifically the Tuberculosis crisis) and ask the burning question: When will India produce its own Elon Musk?
- 🚀 In this video, we cover: • The "Shock" students feel when joining IIM Ahmedabad• How to become an IIM Professor (The PhD Journey)• The flaws in the CAT Exam & Indian Education System• Can you teach "Game Theory" to the Instagram generation?• Diversity in MBAs : Why engineers shouldn't be the only ones getting in• India vs.
- USA : Should students move back home?
- Viswanath: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishypingali/ • His Game Theory Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/strategy-and-game-theory-for-management #IIMAhmedabad #GameTheory #Economics #MBA #CATExam #IndianEducation #Professor #ViswanathPingali #BusinessSchool #HealthcareIndia #Entrepreneurship #StudyAbroad Resources : Game Theory course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/strategy-and-game-theory-for-managementProf Viswanath - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishypingali/ About the Podcast: We explore the real stories behind high-agency individuals—from artists to economists—who are a few steps ahead in the journey.
- We don't sell you "lottery ticket" success stories; we show you the practical first steps so you can find your own way forward.
- what are some things that you find generally cat students by surprise when they first start their Journeys at am...
- of it if you had a magic wand that could change anything in the cat what would you change both the fish and an elephant...
Transcript-backed moments
A few lines worth stealing before you hand over the full hour.
what are some things that you find generally cat students by surprise when they first start their Journeys at am Ahmedabad at Northwestern is basically modeling competition right how do firms
modeling competition right how do firms compete what is the process like to become a professor at an now that life has given me luck let me make the most has given me luck let me make the most of it if you had a magic wand that could
of it if you had a magic wand that could change anything in the cat what would you change both the fish and an elephant need to know how to run first online what are some things that you think the
what are some things that you think the IMs do really well when it comes to imparting a world class business education this generation attention spans are in seconds you got to connected with what they've seen in
connected with what they've seen in Instagram yesterday probably as a video clip and that's where the ability of the instructor lies I'm curious to hear your perspective on now things that IM am
Show notes
Is an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad really worth the hype? What actually happens inside the classrooms of India's most elite business school?
Today’s guest is Prof. Viswanath Pingali, a leading voice in Economics and Game Theory at IIM Ahmedabad. He pulls back the curtain on the "Ivory Tower" to reveal how future CEOs are trained to think, strategize, and solve complex problems.
We go beyond the textbooks to discuss the real value of an MBA in 2025. Prof. Viswanath breaks down why the CAT exam might be flawed, how he keeps students engaged in the age of Instagram/Reels, and the critical difference between "Business Administration" and true "Entrepreneurship."
We also dive deep into his groundbreaking research on Healthcare in India (specifically the Tuberculosis crisis) and ask the burning question: When will India produce its own Elon Musk?
If you are an MBA aspirant, a policy geek, or just curious about how the world works through the lens of Game Theory, this conversation is a masterclass you can't afford to miss.
🚀 In this video, we cover:• The "Shock" students feel when joining IIM Ahmedabad• How to become an IIM Professor (The PhD Journey)• The flaws in the CAT Exam & Indian Education System• Can you teach "Game Theory" to the Instagram generation?• Diversity in MBAs: Why engineers shouldn't be the only ones getting in• India vs. USA: Should students move back home?
🔗 Connect with Prof. Viswanath:• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishypingali/• His Game Theory Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/strategy-and-game-theory-for-management
#IIMAhmedabad #GameTheory #Economics #MBA #CATExam #IndianEducation #Professor #ViswanathPingali #BusinessSchool #HealthcareIndia #Entrepreneurship #StudyAbroad
Resources:
Game Theory course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/strategy-and-game-theory-for-managementProf Viswanath - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishypingali/
About the Podcast:We explore the real stories behind high-agency individuals—from artists to economists—who are a few steps ahead in the journey. We don't sell you "lottery ticket" success stories; we show you the practical first steps so you can find your own way forward.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro + Background
(01:12) What draws Prof Viswanath to teaching?
(03:22) Experience at Northwestern University
(05:36) Process of becoming a Professor at IIMs
(08:06) Things that catch new IIM-A students by surprise
(11:02) What would Prof Viswanath change about the CAT exam
(15:49) Teaching Microeconomics and Game Theory @ IIM Ahmedabad
(20:57) What makes IIMs elite?
(22:52) Engaging students in the era of social media
(25:34) Healthcare & Tuberculosis research
(28:24) Things IIMs could be better at regarding business education
(30:06) Future of business education in India
(31:47) Check out the Prof’s Game Theory course on Coursera!
(33:15) Do you need an MBA for starting a business?
(35:09) Does Diversity actually matter - and why?
(39:47) Should Indian students in the US move back to India?
(43:15) When will we have an Indian Elon Musk?
(45:12) Outro + Gratitude