Mysuru, September 11, 2026: SDMIMD, Mysuru, successfully conducted the first edition of its Annual Business Conclave 2026 at its campus.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. (Lt. Col.) Prasad S. N., Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru, briefed the audience on the core idea behind organising the Business Conclave. Addressing the gathering, he mentioned that management is a science of application. Without the application factor, the management sector can hardly exist. The conclave aims to bring corporate leaders to the institute and provide students with an opportunity to interact with industry leaders, thu̧s helping young professionals understand the corporate sector in a more appropriate and practical way. He underscored that such interactions are mostly impromptu, enabling leaders to interact with students and freely share their experiences and knowledge without being restricted by particular frameworks.
Speaking about the gap that exists between academia and the corporate/industry sector, Dr. Prasad remarked that, ideally, academics backed by thorough research should lead the industry; however, the current scenario is somewhat different. Whatever students study at the institute level may not always be directly applicable when they enter their professional fields, as the corporate sector operates with different dynamics. Therefore, to bridge this gap, some of the most successful industry models should be brought to the academic level and studied, he opined.
Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Dean – Academics and Professor – Systems, shared his thoughts behind designing the Annual Business Conclave 2026. “The business field is changing faster than ever. AI has been introduced, and uncertainty has become an important aspect of today’s business sector. At this point in time, India is not only becoming a major member of the global economy; instead, it is shaping the global economy. At this interesting juncture, our students are entering the business field. So, to make them better prepared for this situation, the Business Conclave has been designed,” he said.
He also emphasised that such conclaves would help translate management case studies into real-world scenarios and enable students to learn in a more comprehensive manner.
Highlights of Annual Business Conclave 2026
As part of the conclave, fireside chats, master panel discussions and a Young Leaders Forum were organised.
Session 1: Fireside Chat
A fireside chat was organised on the theme ‘Industry Views on the Evolving Opportunities for Young Leaders and Managers in an Emerging India.’ CA. Rajesh Pai, AVP and Delivery Head – SAP, Europe Region, LTM Limited, and Mr. Sanath Kumar, Head of Sales Development and Commercial Transformation, L’Oréal, were the speakers for the session. Dr. (Lt. Col.) Prasad S. N., Director, SDMIMD, moderated the session.
The session focused on current trends in the industry, the changes brought about by the introduction of AI technology, and the possible challenges and opportunities emerging from these developments. The speakers also shed light on employers’ expectations, the preparations required by young professionals, the ability to adapt to changing situations, and the knowledge, capabilities and responsibilities that candidates should possess.
The fireside chat also highlighted effective leadership models and the importance of people management across larger organisations.
Session 2: Master Panel Discussion
A master panel discussion was conducted on ‘In the Era of Global Turmoil, What Are the Opportunities for Indian Businesses to Leverage Our Skills and Take a New Path?’
Mr. Asif K. A., Vice President – Data Modernisation, Northern Trust; Mr. Rameez Nazirudeen, Associate Vice President, Info Edge India Ltd.; and Mr. Suraj Yogish Shetty, Vice President, PrimeSoft Solutions, were the panellists. Dr. Nandakishore Shetty, Associate Professor (Marketing), SDMIMD, moderated the panel discussion.
In the fast-changing and competitive business world, organisations are witnessing unprecedented situations and challenges. However, by continuously upskilling themselves and effectively navigating these challenges, significant opportunities can be created. Although technological changes have posed challenges, the new possibilities emerging from these developments offer dynamic opportunities for businesses, the panellists suggested.
Session 3: Young Leaders Forum
The Young Leaders Forum provided a platform for SDMIMD alumni who have brought about significant transformations through their leadership journeys. Mr. Abhijit Korti, Founding Member, InPrime Finserve; Mr. Devendra Bhansali, Founder and CEO, Glocal Brands; and Mr. Yogish Sholapurkar, Sales Director | Head – Channel Management and E-commerce | Motion Business Area, ABB, were the speakers at the forum.
The session focused on the progressive journeys that transformed them from young leaders into seasoned professionals. The speakers shared their experiences, the toughest challenges they faced, and the rigorous transformations they underwent to establish themselves as successful professionals.
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