organised by JIMS Kalkaji The FDP covered key areas like AI in research, SEM using AMOS, qualitative analysis using NVIVO, and writing high-quality research papers for ABDC and Scopus journals. It focuses on CFA models to develop scales. How qualitative analysis is done through NVivo.

The objective of the FDP was to provide hands-on exposure to academicians and research scholars. . Accord importance to research activity in addition to academic activity. . Keep abreast of the latest developments in their specific subjects, and acquire knowledge and skills in new and emerging areas.More than 50 faculty members and research scholars have participated in the FDP from different institutions.

Following eminent personalities were present as speakers during the event;

·            Mr. M Ponnuswami, Co-Chairman, CII National MSME Council and CMD, Pon Pure Chemical India Pvt Ltd.,

·            Mr.Ajit B Chavan, Additional CEO & Chief Seller Officer & Social Inclusion, Government e Marketplace (GeM),

·            Dr.Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, Additional Development Commissioner, Ministry of MSME,

·            Mr. H. Shankar, Managing Director I/C of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL),

·            Mr. J Venkateshan, General Manager (Materials Management), National Mining Development Corporation Ltd. (NMDC),

·            Mr. Sameer Gupta, Chairman, CII National MSME Council,

·            ShriPrashant Kumar Singh, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy,

·            Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Resources,

It was a significant event that provided a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, and MSMEs to exchange ideas, network, and explore innovative solutions. The summit was an opportunity for the students to gain insights into the latest trends, technologies, and policies affecting the MSME sector.

The event, organized by the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, took place from November 26 to 29, 2024, at the Development Academy of the Philippines Conference Centre in Tagaytay City.

The conference theme, “Exploring the Nexus, Charting the Future: Harnessing Collaborative Excellence and Pioneering Research for Tomorrow’s Challenges,” brought together renowned academicians, researchers, and professionals from across the globe to discuss transformative strategies for the future of higher education.

Dr. Agarwal delivered an engaging and insightful online plenary address on 28th November,2024  on the topic: “Optimization of Academic Structures in Higher Education: Framework and Best Practices for the Reclassification of Faculty Positions in State Universities and Colleges.” Her presentation emphasized:

Establishing a transparent and standardized framework for reclassifying faculty positions, with clearly defined criteria, processes, and evaluation metrics.

Aligning the reclassification framework with accreditation standards and guidelines to enhance the academic quality and reputation of state universities and colleges.

Strengthening the competitiveness of state universities and colleges through effective academic restructuring.

The session was highly appreciated by the audience for its relevance and depth, sparking meaningful discussions on improving higher education systems globally.

Prof. Agarwal described the experience as both enriching and overwhelming, highlighting the value of collaborative knowledge-sharing in addressing the challenges and opportunities in higher education.

at the Dronacharya Auditorium. The session was delivered by Mr. Hans Dholakia, a distinguished motivational speaker and corporate trainer who is also the Founder President of Holistic Health & Luminous Learning Inc. With over 25 years of experience as a lifestyle and wellness trainer, marketing advisor, linguist, and corporate mentor, Mr. Dholakia shared valuable insights on how to prepare oneself for professional success while maintaining holistic well-being. A total of 114 students attended the session.

Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Kumar, Director of I.T.S School of Management, commenced the session by warmly welcoming and felicitating the guest, presenting a plant sapling and a memento as a gesture of appreciation. He then invited the guest to address the audience, marking the official start of the event. The session opened with an engaging discussion on self-management and the importance of understanding individual differences. Mr. Dholakia highlighted that each individual brings unique preferences and working styles to the table, and recognizing these distinctions is essential for fostering stronger relationships and collaboration in the workplace. He highlighted that true happiness and success begin with self-awareness and balance between mind, body, and spirit. He discussed the transformative power of affirmations—positive self-statements like “I am confident” or “I am capable of handling any challenge”—and encouraged students to make these a regular practice for inner strength and positivity. Stressing the significance of punctuality and discipline, he noted that being on time is a hallmark of professionalism and respect for others. He also spoke passionately about the importance of enthusiasm at work, urging students to approach every task, big or small, with energy and positivity, as this inspires both personal and collective success. He introduced the audience to the concept of Pranayam Yoga, explaining how breathing exercises generate positive energy and calm the mind. To give students a firsthand experience, he conducted a short activity where everyone was asked to close their eyes, relax, and slowly count their breaths from 1 to 10. This exercise helped students feel refreshed and focused, demonstrating the power of mindfulness.

The session addressed the necessity of agility and adaptability in today’s fast-changing corporate environment, advising students to embrace change and be prepared to learn continuously. Mr. Dholakia also shared insights on emotional maturity, encouraging students to set healthy boundaries and avoid oversharing personal matters at work, as emotional balance is a true sign of strength. He highlighted the value of being proactive and eager to help, explaining that initiative and willingness to assist others are key to building leadership and teamwork. Additionally, he underscored the importance of seeking regular feedback for self-improvement and suggested that understanding the workings of departments beyond one’s specialization creates a holistic view of business management.

Throughout the session, Mr. Dholakia used motivational and thought-provoking videos to reinforce these lessons, leaving a lasting impact on the students. Participants found the session extremely enriching and practical, with many citing the breathing exercises and affirmation techniques as particularly useful tools for managing stress and building confidence. The experience prompted self-reflection, helping students identify areas for personal growth and development while deepening their understanding of corporate expectations.

In conclusion, the Leadership Talk Series session proved to be a truly transformative experience for the PGDM 2024–26 batch. Through his valuable insights, practical exercises, and motivational storytelling, students learned that being corporate ready requires not just academic knowledge, but the right attitude, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.

A key highlight of the Conclave was the IMC International Research Conference (IMC–IRC 2025), which brought together leading policymakers, CXOs, academic leaders, journal editors, researchers, and over 250 delegates from across the country. The event also featured more than 30 CXOs and 200+ academic leaders, making it one of the most prestigious gatherings in the management education ecosystem.

We are proud to share that Dr. Anusha Agarwal, Professor of Finance at I.T.S School of Management, Ghaziabad, presented a research paper titled “From Chalkboards to Chatbots: Harnessing AI in Indian MBA Programmes.” The paper critically examined whether the integration of AI-facilitated tools into MBA coursework leads to measurable improvements in knowledge acquisition and the development of higher-order thinking skills.

The Conclave was graced by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India, as the Chief Guest, and Dr. T. G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, as the Guest of Honour. Their presence, along with the participation of top corporate leaders and academic thinkers, added immense value to the deliberations.

The participation of Dr. Anusha Agarwal in such a prestigious forum reflects the institution’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, thought leadership, and research-driven learning. It also reinforces the proactive role of I.T.S School of Management in engaging with contemporary debates that shape the future of management education in India.

Distinguished Guests:

• Chief Guest: Prof. (Dr.) B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu

• Guests of Honour:

- Dr. Huzaifa Khorakiwala Khorakiwala, Executive Director & Promoter, Wockhardt Ltd.

- Mr. Kaushlesh Maheshwari, President (S & M), Mangalam Cement Ltd.

Other Eminent Dignitaries

• Dr. R.P. Chadha, Chairman, I.T.S–The Education Group

• Shri Arpit Chadha, Vice Chairman, I.T.S–The Education Group

• Shri B.K. Arora, Secretary, I.T.S–The Education Group

• Shri Surinder Sood, Director-PR, I.T.S–The Education Group

• Advisory Board Members:

Prof. S.K. Jain, Dr. Harsh Verma, Shri Kamlendu Bali, Dr. A.K. Puri

Ceremony Highlights:

• Saraswati Vandana set a spiritual and inspirational tone.

• Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Kumar, Director, highlighted institute achievements in academics, research, industry collaborations, and community engagement.

• Dr. Anusha Agarwal, Chairperson, elaborated on the PGDM program’s rigor, industry focus, and leadership development.

• Convocation Oath reaffirmed commitment to integrity, ethics, and responsibility.

• Inspiring addresses by dignitaries emphasized resilience, self-management, innovation, a

nd social responsibility.

• Formal distribution of diplomas & recognition of merit.

• Ceremony concluded with the National Anthem and group photography, capturing pride and joy.

At I.T.S, we nurture leaders who blend knowledge with values and success with responsibility.

The summit began with an address by Lt. General Raghu Srinivasan, who emphasized the strategic importance of India’s border road network for national security and regional development. He highlighted that despite geographical and climatic challenges; construction timelines are being accelerated and stressed the need for adopting new technologies and sustainable approaches. This was followed by a detailed presentation on the Vadhavan Port Project by Shri Umesh Sharad Wagh. He shared that the project, located at Dahanu about 150 km from Mumbai, is planned with a massive capacity of 300 MTPA and 23.3 MTEUs at a cost of ₹76,220 crore. The port aims to connect Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and northern states, but faces hurdles in land acquisition, environmental clearances, and financial structuring, which continue to delay its progress.

In the first panel discussion on Redefining Infrastructure, moderated by Vinayak Chatterjee, speakers including Abhishek Chaudhary, Nicolas Schenk, Shailendra Kumar Tripathi, Suresh Goyal, Col. Praikshit Mehra, and Awinash Awasthi shared their insights. The discussion highlighted that infrastructure projects are now moving beyond physical outputs to value-based outcomes with long-term sustainability and socio-economic upliftment as central goals. The panel also underlined the importance of integrating ESG frameworks and strengthening public–private partnerships to achieve holistic development.

Another significant session was led by Raman Kapil on Skill Development and Workforce Empowerment. He elaborated on Tata Projects’ Skill Shakti initiative, a work-integrated upskilling program for semi-skilled and unskilled workers aimed at creating a certified workforce and skilled trainer pool in areas such as carpentry, masonry, electricals, and bar bending. He also presented the Nirmaan Nayak initiative, which focuses on enabling career progression from helper to supervisor and engineer, thus retaining talent and building leadership capacity. A case study of Tata Projects showcased how more than 50,000 workers are currently engaged across sites, with training aligned to evolving industry standards and a balanced workforce structure across helpers, skilled, and highly skilled categories.

The second panel discussion focused on the Future of Indian Infrastructure, where speakers emphasized the need to address future socio-economic requirements by moving towards smart, sustainable, and digitally integrated infrastructure. The discussion brought forward the role of AI in project monitoring, predictive maintenance, and workforce development, alongside the growing importance of green financing to support climate-resilient projects. The panel also stressed inclusive growth with special emphasis on rural development and job creation.

The summit concluded with key takeaways that reinforced the importance of border infrastructure as a national priority and positioned the Vadhavan Port as a potential game-changer in reducing India’s dependence on foreign transshipment hubs. It was also highlighted that infrastructure success today is no longer measured by physical construction alone, but equally by its sustainability and social impact. Workforce empowerment through initiatives like Skill Shakti and Nirmaan Nayak is seen as vital for long-term growth, while the integration of AI, digital tools, and green financing will shape the future of Indian infrastructure.

Overall, the summit provided valuable insights into the evolving infrastructure landscape of India, underlining a shift towards resilience, sustainability, digital integration, and inclusive development.

The objective of the course was to provide participants with practical insights into entrepreneurship, focusing on innovation, intellectual property protection, commercialization strategies, exit routes, and financial structures. Dr. Majumdar delivered an engaging and insightful address, highlighting the importance of safeguarding ideas through patents, copyrights, and designs, and explained how technology and research can be transformed into viable products with proper approvals and certifications. He also discussed exit strategies such as IPOs, mergers, and acquisitions, while sharing real-world examples including innovations in PPE kits, developments in the EV sector, and royalty or licensing models. The session further shed light on common entrepreneurial challenges such as counterfeiting, data protection, and compliance issues.

The session started with Director PGDM, Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Kumar, addressing the students. He felicitated the guest with a plant sapling and a memento. Mr. Trilok Kumar started the session by introducing Marketing 5.0 and asked the students about their career plan and the impact of technology in shaping their career pathway.. He discussed how PGDM curriculum and practical approach will help students in long run by equipping them with industry knowledge.

Key Topics Discussed:

Tech-Human Fusion Theory:
He emphasized the blend of empathy and AI in marketing. A notable example was Hindustan Unilever (HUL), which uses QR codes on its products to share real-life inspirational stories of individuals, enhancing emotional connection with the brand.
Brand Targeting Gen Z:
He discussed how brands like Prime Energy Drink, despite being premium price they target Gen Z by creating a social status symbol, showing how emotion and aspiration play a role in purchasing behavior.
Hyper-Personalization:
Mr. Kumar highlighted the power of AI-driven chatbots and real-world tailored experiences. He gave the example of Nestle, which, following the Maggi controversy, rebuilt trust by offering personalized diet and nutrition plans to customers.
Predictive Analytics & Innovation:
He explained how predictive analytics reveals customers' unspoken needs, which drives innovation. For instance, Cadbury uses consumer snacking behavior data to run targeted campaigns like “Snack Right”, empowering informed snacking choices. Similar strategies were cited for brands like Oreo.
Generational Marketing:
The speaker compared Millennials and Gen Z, emphasizing on their distinct thinking patterns, decision making styles, and brand expectations. Understanding these differences is vital for successful marketing strategies.
Emotional Branding in the Age of AI:
Mr. Kumar spoke about emotional branding and how AI can enable deeper human connections, making marketing not just transactional but relational.
Visioning the Future:
In an engaging exercise, Mr. Kumar asked students to close their eyes and imagine themselves five years into the future, visualizing their career paths and goals. He then encouraged them to share their visions aloud, sparking introspection and motivation among students.
To prepare for the evolving marketing landscape, Mr. Kumar emphasized the importance of:

Excel and AI tools for data analysis and decision-making.
Experience-building through:
Internships
Mentorship
Seminars & Workshops
Online Courses & Certifications
Recommended Books:

Artificial Intelligence (A New Era in Humanity) by Tyler Soloway.
Artificial Intelligence (A Guide for Everyone) by Arshad Khan
The session concluded with Q&A, where students asked insightful questions regarding careers in marketing, AI integration in FMCG, and brand strategy. Mr. Kumar answered each with depth and clarity, enriching the learning experience.The session was a powerful blend of practical knowledge, future-forward thinking, and motivational insights. Mr. Trilok Kumar’s industry experience, real-world examples, and engaging style made the session truly impactful. Students left with a stronger understanding of how Marketing 5.0 is shaping the future and how they can prepare to thrive in it.

The session was concluded by Dr. Kamal Singh (Co-ordinator PDGM 2025-27 Batch) by discussing the landscape of 4.0 technology to 5.0 and its impact on industry’s overall growth prospects.

The session was conducted by Ms. Kena Shree, Deputy General Manager, NTPC Limited, Noida. The event started with Director PGDM, Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Kumar, addressing the gathering about the importance of leadership. He felicitated the guest with plant sampling and a memento.  Ms. Kena began the lecture with her story about understanding the leadership and  what makes a good leader and encouraged participants to share their views on leadership qualities. The session explored how leadership theories are not just concepts, but guiding principles for real-world decision-making and organizational success.

Ms. Kena Shree explained different theories of leadership in detail:

Trait Theory: Leadership is shaped by inborn qualities such as confidence, determination, and integrity. She illustrated this with the example of Ratan Tata, who is admired for his vision, humility, and ethical values.

Behavioural Theory: Leadership depends on actions and behaviors. She cited Virat Kohli, whose disciplined lifestyle, team-first approach, and high performance set behavioural standards for his teammates.

Contingency Theory: Leadership must adapt to the situation. She explained how Ratan Tata adjusted his strategies during the launch of Tata Nano to suit market needs and customer expectations .

Transactional Leadership: Based on rewards and accountability. She connected this to Virat Kohli’s leadership, where good performance is rewarded, but discipline and accountability are strictly maintained.

Transformational Leadership: Leaders inspire others to achieve beyond expectations. Ratan Tata transformed the Tata Group into a global brand with innovation and trust, while Virat Kohli transformed the Indian cricket team with his vision of fitness, aggression, and resilience.

The session was highly interactive, with students sharing examples and engaging in discussions. Ms. Kena Shree highlighted that leadership is not limited to authority but is about influence, adaptability, and inspiring others to achieve collective goals.

It was a thought-provoking and knowledge-enriching lecture, giving students clarity on leadership theories while relating them to real-life leaders like Ratan Tata and Virat Kohli. The session ended with a thank you note by Dr. Prem Prakash Srivastava .