Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) Bengaluru recently hosted its Annual Management Conclave, Alchemy 2018 – The two-day event with the theme 'Redefining India' provided eminent speakers a platform to interact with the students, share their insights and success mantras to survive in today's challenging work environment. Graced by delegates from different industry verticals, the event provided an ideal networking opportunity and a platform to identify and analyze different perspectives about the reforms brought to our country.
In all, there were Four Keynote Speakers and Three Panel Discussions, in relation to the theme, the organizing committee had shortlisted the following topics for discussion
Panel 1- Byte the Bullet
Panel 2- Nurture the Future
Panel 3- Technocracy
Day 1
Keynote Speaker #1: Dr. U Dinesh Kumar, Decision Sciences and Information Systems Professor, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
Dr. U. Dinesh Kumar spoke passionately about the role of data analytics in business transformation. He rightfully said, “Data Analytics is the key to identify the right customers to target.” He also explained the application of Reinforcement Learning Algorithms in the Indian industry citing case studies for the same.
Keynote Speaker #2: Mr. Pramod Varma, Chief Architect Aadhar, CTO, EkStep
Mr. Varma, spoke about the importance of protection of data and how companies, as well as people, should benefit from it. He said, “This generation of India is very young, agile and rapidly moving with aspiration which is the biggest advantage for India to compete." He emphasized the need for accessibility, affordability, and choice of products and solutions for India to become an inclusive society.
Keynote Speaker #3: Mr. Sayantan Chatterjee, Director, PwC India
Mr. Chatterjee highlighted the significance of Data Disruptions and how these disruptions are taking the world forward. He added that “Access is no longer an impediment. Disruption has helped us leapfrog through generations of outdated technology”.
Panel #1: Byte the Bullet
Mr. Manaranjan Pradhan, Founder & Director, Awesomestats Consulting Pvt Ltd.
Ms. Sunaina Agarwal, Executive Director and Co-founder, Trabaajo
Mr. Sameer Dhanranjani, Chief Strategy Officer, Fractal Analytics
Mr. Rakshit Tandon, Director, Council of Information Security
Mr. Manaranjan Pradhan aptly said, “Data Scientist is not an individual but a team.”
Ms. Sunaina Agarwal spoke about algorithms and machine learning assisting the human element in the Human Resources Domain.
Mr. Sameer Dhanranjani talked about how our nation today grapples with AI and protection of data analytics.
Mr. Rakshit Tandon spoke about the importance of having vigilant and proactive digital security systems in place. He emphasized the importance of data litigators.
Panel #2: Nurture the Future
Dr. Hariharan Chandrashekar, Founder, Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd.
Ms. Jyotsna Belliappa, Principal Consultant, BlueSky CSR Company
Mr. Dinesh Mishra, Director Business HR, Abbott Healthcare
Dr. Hariharan Chandrashekar emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between sustainability and technology.
Ms. Jyotsna Belliappa spoke of the significance of the present for the paving of a better future. She added, “You’re the future of the country, do the right thing.”
Mr. Dinesh Mishra spoke about how it is a collective responsibility to correct the course for a sustainable future.
Day 2
Keynote Speaker #4: Mr. Sunay Bhasin, Chief Marketing Officer, MTR Foods Pvt Ltd.
Mr. Bhasin inspired the students with his profound words. He said, “The fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and it’s nothing but human evolution!”
Panel #3: Technocracy
Mr. Pradip R. Subramaniam, CEO and Founder Director, Growtech Innovations India Private Ltd.
Mr. Tamal Chowdhury, SVP & Head, Artificial Intelligence and Engineering, Course5i
Mr. Krishna Kumar, Chief Architect and Mentor, Atonomiq India
Mr. Srinivas Pradeep, Lead Data Scientist, Daimler AG
Mr. Abhishek Kishore Gupta, Partner, KPMG
Mr. Pradip R. Subramaniam spoke about the problems and questions in India right now which need to be answered using predictive analytics. He emphasized that “India is capable of achieving things, but infrastructure and education is required.”
Mr. Tamal Chowdhury rightfully said, “Data with some context is important in today’s world. Relevancy needs to be achieved when we look for digital solutions.”
Mr. Krishna Kumar corroborated by saying, “The word Technocracy itself says that we are going to reach a day when decisions and governance would be data-driven.”
“There are ethical conflicts in adapting AI. The industry needs to calibrate the ethics into its development of AI.” said Mr. Srinivas Pradeep who spoke about how any major business impact on Autonomous cars industry in India would take time as the infrastructure is not ready for such transformation in near future.
Mr. Abhishek Kishore Gupta spoke about the need to focus on inclusive growth while keeping in mind the political, social and economic challenges.
Sanket Patel, Coordinator of the Conferences and Events Committee, said “The event was charged with energy as the great speakers from various domains gave their opinions on the current issues in the corporate world. It offered a platform for the students of SIBM B to dive into their curiosity and encouraged learning.”
All in all, every speaker edified the students with their expert insights which will certainly help them adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the country and find their way to success. Alchemy 2018 not only lived up to the standards set by previous iterations, it has also upped the ante for the years to come.
