Campus News

6th Edition of Developing Business Excellence (DBE) Programme

SDMIMD successfully conducted the 6th edition of its Developing Business Excellence (DBE) Programme from February 2 to 9, 2026. The programme brought together foreign national students from Vietnam, Mauritius, Kenya, Liberia, Tanzania, and Nepal studying in India.
 
The programme provided participants with a holistic understanding of India’s civilizational ethos, cultural diversity, governance systems, and contemporary business environment through expert-led academic sessions and experiential learning.
 
The DBE Programme reflects SDMIMD’s commitment to global academic engagement and its mission to nurture responsible, culturally aware, and values-driven future leaders in an increasingly interconnected world.

Naissance 2026: SDMIMD Hosts “The Grand Expedition” with Over 530 Participants from 24 Premier Institutions

SDMIMD successfully hosted Naissance 2026, its flagship B-School Management Fest, on February 6 and 7, 2026. Themed “The Grand Expedition,” the fest celebrated exploration, resilience, strategic thinking, and leadership in a dynamic business environment.

The event was inaugurated by Dr. Basavanagowdappa H, Vice Chancellor of JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Ms. Smitha Bopanna, Director, Noesys Software Pvt. Ltd. and Co-Founder of Infoveave (Australia), attended as the Guest of Honour. The dignitaries were welcomed by Dr. Mohammed Minaj, Dean, SDMIMD, along with faculty members and students.

Bringing together over 530 participants from 24 premier colleges across India, Naissance 2026 featured twelve national-level management events spanning Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, Analytics, Business Strategy, and General Management, along with cultural and sports competitions. The events simulated real-world business scenarios, challenging participants to demonstrate analytical acumen, creativity, leadership, and decision-making under pressure.

The fest was supported by Connect2Future (Title Sponsor) and Cedilla (Official Partner), along with Associate Sponsors Infoveave, Head Held High Foundation, and Federal Bank, and Co-Sponsors Ivana, Shree Maruthi Couriers, Sai Ganesh Traders, and Shri Shashi Hardware and Paints.

During the valedictory ceremony, Mr. Sathvik from Christ University, Bengaluru, was declared the Best Manager of Naissance 2026, while CMS Business School, Jain University, Bengaluru, secured the Overall Championship title.

Naissance 2026 concluded with resounding success, reinforcing SDMIMD’s commitment to experiential learning and developing future-ready management professionals.

Union Budget Conclave 2026

The Post-Budget Analysis on Union Budget 2026, organised by Finnacle – The Finance and Economics Club of the SDMIMD, Mysuru, provided a comprehensive and critical understanding of India’s latest budget, highlighting both its strengths and areas requiring deeper reflection.
 
The session featured expert insights from Mr. Sriram Ranganathan, Vice President & Head – FP&A, Wipro Ltd, and Co-Chairman (Direct Taxes), Expert Committee, BCIC, who offered a nuanced analysis of Union Budget 2026 and key trends shaping India’s evolving tax landscape. Adding a capital markets perspective, Mr. Veerappan Aiyappan, CFA, FRM, MBA, EVA Mera Funds Investment Services, shared insights on market implications and investor sentiment in the post-budget scenario.
 
A key highlight was the active participation of PGDM students, who presented salient features and takeaways of Union Budget 2026, reflecting strong analytical rigour and applied learning. The event reinforced SDMIMD’s commitment to bridging policy insights, industry perspectives, and classroom learning.
 
Faculty members Dr. M Sriram, Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, Dr. Vasumathy Hariharan, and Dr. Kannadas S were present during the session.

Winter School Program at SDMIMD, Mysuru

The Winter School Program organised by the Business Analytics Institute (BAI), France, was successfully conducted at the SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, from January 28 to February 7, 2026. The programme was themed “Agentic Systems and the Transformation of Work.”
 
The programme was inaugurated with a keynote address by Dr. Lee Schlenker, Head of BAI, who highlighted India’s optimistic growth trajectory and rising global expectations. He noted that BAI’s decision to collaborate with SDMIMD was in recognition of the visionary initiatives of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Chairman of SDM Trusts.
 
Dr. Schlenker also underscored the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and the need to understand the evolving role of humans in an AI-driven workplace. The programme featured expert lectures, hands-on workshops, interactive discussions, and field visits, providing participants with comprehensive exposure to agentic systems.
 
Addressing the participants, Dr. S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, spoke on the application of artificial intelligence across key sectors in India and highlighted emerging opportunities for India–Europe collaboration. He also briefed participants on the mission and initiatives of SDM Trusts.
 
The introductory remarks were delivered by Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Dean – Academics, SDMIMD, who outlined the academic collaboration between BAI and SDMIMD. As part of the programme, he also conducted a specialised workshop on the development of Agentic AI systems.
 
The programme concluded with a valedictory address by Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, Dean – International Relations and Professor of HRM & OB, who highlighted the significance of global academic partnerships and interdisciplinary learning. She also distributed certificates to the participants, marking the successful completion of the Winter School Program.

Symposium on Agentic AI

As part of the WinterSchool Program of the Business Analytics Institute (BAI), France, hosted by SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysuru, a high-impact Symposium on AgenticAI was successfully organised at the institute on January 30, 2026
 
The panel engaged in insightful deliberations on Agentic Systems and their transformative impact on the future of work, exploring how AI is reshaping industries, enabling intelligent decision-making, and redefining organisational capabilities. Discussions also focused on practical AI implementation across sectors and the evolving trajectory of AI technologies.
 
A key emphasis of the symposium was on preparing students to thrive in an AI-driven future, aligning academic learning with rapid technological and workplace transformations.
 
The distinguished panel included Dr. Lee SCHLENKER, Moderator & Head, Business Analytics Institute, France; Mr. Srinivas Varadarajan, CEO, VIGYANLABS, Mysuru; Dr. Navin Patel Ph.D., Associate Vice President & Head – AI Academy, Infosys, Mysuru, Convener, IT Panel, CII Mysuru; Dr. Lt Col Prasad S N, Ph.D. Director, SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysuru. 
 
A meaningful exchange of perspectives reinforcing the importance of academia–industry collaboration in shaping future-ready leaders.

SDMIMD–Intel Unnati MoU Signed

February 3, 2026: SDMIMD signed an MoU with Intel Corporation under the Intel Unnati Program, strengthening industry–academia collaboration and future-ready management education. As part of the partnership, an Intel Unnati Lab has been established at SDMIMD to support advanced AI workloads, applied research, and experiential learning.
 
Explaining the initiative, Mr. Girish, Country Head, Intel Unnati Program, stated that the program focuses on training students in advanced technologies using high-end computing systems, and noted that SDMIMD is the first institute in the Mysuru region to be inducted into this selective initiative.
 
Dr. Prasad S N, Director, SDMIMD, and Dr. Mohammed Minhaj, Dean–Academics, emphasised that the data-centric AI lab will help build a robust learning ecosystem and bridge the gap between academic learning and industry-driven technological advancements.

77th Republic Day Celebration

The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with pride and patriotic fervour at SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, on January 26, 2026.

The national flag was hoisted by Jinesh N., Assistant Administrative Officer, marking the formal commencement of the celebrations. Addressing the students, he reflected on the formation of the Indian Constitution and emphasised the role of values in shaping character and responsible citizenship, urging students to actively contribute to nation-building.

He noted that Republic Day should go beyond ceremonial observance and called upon everyone to work towards a stronger, cleaner, educated, and more inclusive India.

Cultural programmes by the Kalanubhava team added vibrancy to the event, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural heritage through music and dance.

The celebration was graced by S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, along with faculty and staff members.

7th International Marketing Conference

The 7th International Marketing Conference at SDMIMD, examined the impact of technology and AI on marketing, banking, and customer engagement.
 
Delivering the inaugural keynote, Mr. Chayan Gupta, National Head – Bancassurance, Aviva India, spoke on India’s digital banking transformation, the role of generative AI in personalisation, the need for financial awareness to curb fraud, and the vast growth potential in insurance aligned with India’s 2047 financial inclusion vision.
 
Another keynote by Ms. Ashwini Thammaiah, Country Head, Isocrates Inc. | MADTECH.AI Inc., highlighted “Marketing in the Age of Decision Intelligence,” stressing how AI helps overcome data silos, improve decision-making, and support marketers—while keeping human judgment central.
 
The inaugural session included insights from Dr. Mohammed Minhaj, Dean–Academics, on AI opportunities and data privacy concerns, and Dr. Keerthan Raj, Conference Chair, who introduced the theme. A technical session on Performance Marketing was led by Mr. Pawan Kumar Rastogi, Head – E-commerce, TTK Prestige India.
 
The valedictory address was delivered by Mr. Gagan Ranka, Vice President, HDFC Bank Ltd. The conference saw active participation from scholars and industry professionals, with 25 research papers presented, fostering meaningful dialogue on emerging marketing trends and practices.

SDMIMD Celebrates National Startup Day: Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets

SDMIMD goes beyond teaching business models and entrepreneurial theories—it actively shapes entrepreneurial mindsets and grooms future founders with excellence. Through sustained efforts, the Institute Entrepreneurship Committee fosters innovation, supports aspiring entrepreneurs, and celebrates the growing startup ecosystem.

Marking National Startup Day, the Institute Entrepreneurship Committee, under the aegis of the SDMIMD StartUp Lab, organized a vibrant celebration on January 16, 2026, aimed at positioning entrepreneurship as a natural and logical career pathway. Moving beyond classrooms, the Institute provided a dynamic platform where students ignited their entrepreneurial spirit by pitching innovative business ideas.

The event was graced by Mr. Srinivas Varadarajan, CEO, VIGYANLABS, Mysuru, as the Chief Guest. Students showcased a wide spectrum of creative start-up ideas, problem–solution frameworks, and compelling case studies before an expert panel—reflecting the enthusiasm, originality, and confidence of emerging business leaders. The expert panel comprised our proud alumni Mr. Vipin Prasad, Business Growth & Strategy Expert and Founder, Joining Dots Consulting Private Limited, and Mr. Nandan Jog, Associate Consultant, Ipsos Strategy3.

The programme was attended by Lt Col Prasad S N, Ph.D., Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru; Dr. Keerthan Raj, Associate Professor – Marketing; Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Dean – Academics and Professor – Systems, along with other faculty members, making the celebration a true testament to SDMIMD’s commitment to nurturing innovation-driven leadership.

SDMIMD Alumni Awards – Our Alumni, Our Enduring Strength

Alumni are the true pillars of any institution. They carry forward its values, shape its reputation, and serve as living embodiments of its legacy. As brand ambassadors in every sense, their journeys, achievements, and impact define the institution far beyond the campus.

SDMIMD, Mysuru is proud to be strengthened by an illustrious alumni community—individuals who inspired us during their time as students and continue to make us proud through their exceptional professional accomplishments and meaningful contributions to society. Honouring their success is not merely a celebration; it is a tribute to excellence, perseverance, and purpose.

During Pratigam–2026, the alumni meet held recently at SDMIMD, Mysuru, the Institute proudly recognised distinguished alumni for their outstanding professional excellence and societal impact.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients of Pratigam–2026:

  • Mr. Santosh Machangada (Batch 1997) – SDMIMD Award for Excellence in Marketing

  • Mr. Harinath Gopalaswamy G (Batch 1996) – SDMIMD Award for Excellence in Finance

  • Mr. Abhijith M K (Batch 1999) – SDMIMD Award for Excellence in IT

  • Mr. Anand Patil (Batch 2000) – SDMIMD Entrepreneur of the Year Award

  • Ms. Shami Mohan (Batch 2002) – SDMIMD Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

  • Mr. Hiranmay Mallick (Batch 2008) – SDMIMD Startup Founders Award

  • Dr. Dushyant Prasad (Batch 2010) – SDMIMD Social Impact Award – Male

  • Ms. Rashmi Vikram (Batch 2001) – SDMIMD Distinguished Alumnus Award