Ahmedabad, October 18-19, 2024 – The Institute of Management, Nirma University hosted the highly anticipated two-day-long Utkrishta – The Management Conclave 2024, which brought together industry leaders and experts to address MBA students on the key trends shaping business and management in the modern era. This year’s conclave theme, ‘Rethinking, Reinventing, Re-envisioning: Transforming Business in the New Era,’ aimed to explore innovative strategies and solutions for navigating the evolving landscape of business. The event, which spanned two days, offered students a wealth of knowledge, preparing them for the dynamic challenges of the business world.
The event began with a welcome note delivered to Dr. Anup K Singh, Director of Nirma University, Dr. Debasis Mallik, Director of IMNU, esteemed faculty members, and students, who were all present in the audience. This was followed by an introductory video showcasing Nirma University’s growth over the years.
The Conclave was spearheaded by Prof. Prabhat Kumar Yadav and Prof. Omkar Sahoo, it commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by guest speakers, faculty members, and a student representative, marking the official start of Utkrishta 2024.
Day 1 featured an inaugural address by Mr. Mihir Joshi, CEO of GVFL, who delved into the dynamic world of venture capital, emphasizing calculated risks and the pivotal role of technology in entrepreneurship. This set the stage for a day of engaging discussions on innovation and transformation.
In the first plenary session, Ms. Vijeta Soni, CEO and Co-founder of Sciative, debunked startup myths, stressing the importance of effective pricing, market understanding, and building strong teams to drive entrepreneurial success.
Dr. Saheli Sinha, Director of Operations, ASCI, led Plenary Session 2, exploring the evolving advertising landscape. She emphasized ethics, responsible advertising, and the importance of self-regulation in the digital age.
The third session was delivered by Mr. Srinivas Bhattacharya, Head of Insights at Tata Consumer Products, focused on leveraging data-driven insights to understand India’s diverse consumer base and remain competitive in the market.
Mr. Chintan Dudhela, Business Head at Finnovate, concluded Day 1 with Plenary Session 4, examining wealth management strategies, including tailored investments and mutual fund management.
On Day 1, MBA students gained valuable insights into entrepreneurship and venture capital, recognizing that startups often present a higher probability of success than traditional examinations. They learned the importance of critical thinking in decision-making and explored self-regulation in advertising for consumer protection. The sessions emphasized the need for innovation and adaptability in today’s dynamic market, showcasing how data-driven insights shape effective business strategies. Students also discovered the fluid nature of consumer spending habits influenced by digitization, understanding that organizations must cultivate insight to maintain market share. Additionally, they examined innovative wealth management strategies, focusing on informed decision-making and effective portfolio management in India’s evolving financial landscape.
Day 2 kicked off with Plenary Session 5 led by Mr. Puneet Avasthi, Executive Director at Kantar, who explored the impact of AI on Indian consumers and businesses, emphasizing the ethical concerns surrounding data collection.
Track 1 featured Mr. Kapil Bagadia, CMP, PV Advisory, and Mr. Jishnu Guha, Director of Credit Analysis, Standard Chartered Bank, as they discussed the importance of data-driven decision-making and the need for a robust data strategy to drive business growth.
Track 2 included Mr. Mukur Shah, VP, of Adani Power, Mr. Yashowardhan Sowale, VP, of Capgemini, and Mr. Girish Kulkarni, Group VP, of Torrent Pharma, who delved into the challenges and opportunities of navigating digital transformation in modern businesses.
In Track 3, Mr. Abhay Kapoor (CHRO, Suzuki Motor Gujarat) shared insights into next-gen workforce management, focusing on innovative onboarding and retention strategies.
The event concluded with a Valedictory Session by Mr. Dhaval Sheth, Partner at Grant Thornton, who offered real-world insights into strategy consulting through case studies.
The conclave culminated with a vote of thanks by Omkar Sahoo, recognizing the contributions of 12 distinguished speakers and 650 participants. He expressed gratitude to the President, Vice President, faculty, All the Clubs and Committees, administrative staff, and students. The event concluded with the national anthem, marking the successful conclusion of Utkrishta 2024.