The 28th Nirma International Conference on Management (NICOM), themed “Business and Sustainability: Synergy for Creating the Future,” convened distinguished academicians, industry leaders, and researchers.This year, NICOM received an overwhelming response with 114 full paper submissions from Indian universities and 21 from international institutions, including Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, and the US. These research papers explored various dimensions of sustainability, reinforcing the conference’s objective to bridge academic and industry insights. During the inaugural ceremony, the dignitaries unveiled Prasthawana: Book of Abstracts, which showcased the key academic contributions of the conference. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Dr. H. Rao Unnava (Dean, UC Davis) as Chief Guest and Dr. Puneet Gupta (Board Member, UTI Pension) as Guest of Honor. Padma Shri Dr. Karsanbhai Patel (President, Nirma University), Shri. K. K. Patel (Vice-President, Nirma University), Dr. Anup K. Singh (Director General, Nirma University), and Dr. Debasis Mallik (Director, Institute of Management, Nirma University) added to the event’s stature.
Dr. Mallik’s welcome address emphasized the critical role of sustainable business practices, highlighting initiatives like carbon credits and equitable labor laws. Keynote addresses by Dr. Unnava and Dr. Gupta shed light on the urgency of climate change, food security, and the role of curiosity and integrity in driving sustainable careers.
The second day of NICOM 2025 dived deeper into sustainable business practices with two impactful keynote sessions and vibrant parallel track sessions.
The first keynote session featured Dr. Satish Kumar Sinha (Head, Sustainability, Adani Enterprises), Mr. Jaideep Malaviya (Board Director, International Solar Energy Society), and Ms. Susmita Bhattacharjee (Managing Director, Pushan Renewable Energy Pvt. Ltd.). Dr. Sinha introduced the GSE framework, emphasizing the balance between governance, society, and environment, along with actionable steps for emission compliance and accounting. Mr. Malaviya stressed the need for a net-zero carbon ecosystem, addressing challenges like the 1.5°C global temperature limit, and highlighted the role of rooftop solar and circular economies. Ms. Bhattacharjee showcased innovative solar-powered solutions such as banking kiosks, rural shops, and dairy operations, illustrating their dual impact on environmental sustainability and income generation.
The second keynote session brought together Mr. Kapil Mahajan (Business Leader, Tata Advanced Systems Limited), Dr. Bhavesh Sarna (University of Jyväskylä, Finland), and Mr. Chinmay Bhuta (Director, Alps Chemicals). Mr. Mahajan shared Tata’s CSR initiatives in education, livelihood, and health, while emphasizing the importance of governance and ethical compliance in regulated industries like aerospace. Dr. Sarna highlighted the transformative role of AI in circular business models, despite challenges in implementation. Mr. Bhuta provided insights into optimizing resources and reducing waste in manufacturing to enhance both efficiency and sustainability.
Throughout the day, engaging parallel track sessions enabled scholars to present research on topics ranging from green supply chains to sustainable innovation, fostering rich academic discourse.
The final day of NICOM 2025 continued the momentum with a keynote session, a track session, and the Valedictory Ceremony.
The keynote session featured Ms. Vanita Keswani (CEO, Madison Media Sigma) and Mr. Pranay Piplani (Vice President, Soothe Healthcare). Ms. Keswani introduced a framework for segmenting industries based on carbon footprint, emphasizing sustainable marketing strategies that drive long-term growth. Mr. Piplani discussed resource management and innovative packaging solutions, showcasing how small operational changes can yield significant environmental benefits over time.
Research excellence was celebrated with awards for best papers in both faculty and student categories. Faculty winners included Ms. Ananya Mishra and Dr. Pradeep Kautish from the Institute of Management, Nirma University, for their paper on marketing analytics. Student accolades went to Ms. Jinal Panchal (Department of Psychology, PDEU) and a team from the Institute of Management, Nirma University, for their studies on job stability and work-life conflict, respectively.
The Valedictory Ceremony featured addresses by Mr. Mehul Pandya (MD & Group CEO, CareEdge Group) and Shri Vaiibhav M. Gade (GM, IOCL Gujarat). Mr. Pandya reflected on sustainability’s shift from a peripheral concept to an organizational priority, citing India’s renewable energy advancements. Shri Gade explored the potential of green hydrogen and cost-effective fuels, urging businesses to align with global sustainability standards.
Best Paper Awards
The event concluded with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of speakers, participants, and organizers. NICOM 2025 successfully bridged academia and industry, inspiring collaborations and sustainable innovations for a better future.