Campus News

Third International Leadership Conference

SDMIMD, Mysuru, successfully hosted the 3rd International Leadership Conference on the theme “Leading in a Disrupted World: Reimagining Leadership for Complexity, Sustainability, and Human-Centric Innovation.” This prestigious event was organized in collaboration with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) – SDMIMD Centre for Management Excellence.
 
The conference was inaugurated with a keynote address by Ms. Susheema V, Co-Founder & JMD, SYConE CPMC Pvt. Ltd., who spoke on “From Leadership to Exponential Futures.” In her insightful talk, she emphasized the impact of the changing geopolitical landscape, the disruptions shaping today’s business environment, and the need to redefine business strategies in an increasingly competitive world. She highlighted the importance of adopting an exponential mindset for leaders in the dynamic global context.
 
While reimagining leadership, Ms. Susheema underlined the necessity for leaders to design innovative projects and build futuristic development models. She also stressed that true leadership lies in inspiring and motivating people through impactful initiatives.
 
Dr. (Lt Col) Prasad S. N., Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru, delivered the inaugural address, focusing on the essence of great leadership. He stated that effective leadership is about taking responsibility and driving meaningful change within organizations and society.
 
Dr. L. Gandhi, Conference Chair and Associate Professor – OB & HRM, SDMIMD, provided a detailed conference briefing and outlined its objectives.
 
A highlight of the event was a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of Technology.” Distinguished industry leaders shared valuable perspectives on balancing technological advancement with human-centric values in leadership. 
 
The conference also brought together leading experts, academicians, and industry professionals who presented their research, innovative ideas, and perspectives, making the event a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning.

Mega Blood Donation Drive at SDMIMD

Akhil Bharath Terapanth Yuvak Parishad, in collaboration with SDMIMD, Mysuru, Rotary Club Mysuru, and JCI Mysuru Royal City, organized Raktadan Amrit Mahotsava 2.0—a mega blood donation camp—at the SDMIMD campus on September 17, 2025.
 
Mr. Mahesh Shenoy, Managing Director of Kamakshi Hospital and Horizon Estate & Developers, was the Chief Guest for the event. In his address, he said, “Blood donation camps foster empathy towards society and bring people together. Management students play a crucial role in such initiatives, and it is commendable that SDMIMD has a strong team of volunteers managing this entire event.”
 
Dr. (Lt. Col.) Prasad S. N., Director of SDMIMD, Mysuru, was the Guest of Honour. He remarked, “SDM has always believed in inculcating values and ethics among students. SDMIMD actively participates in all blood donation drives and consistently contributes a significant volume of blood.” He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that the collected blood is preserved and utilized effectively.
 
The event witnessed the participation of officials from all the organizing institutions, along with enthusiastic student volunteers from SDMIMD.

Guest Session on Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining

The ESG Committee organized a guest session on Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining on 17th September 2025, delivered by Mr. Kiran Kumar Shetty, HR Manager at ITC.
 
Mr. Shetty explained the core concepts of industrial relations and collective bargaining in an engaging manner, drawing parallels with stories from the Mahabharata to illustrate negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus-building. He emphasized the role of trade unions in safeguarding employee interests and promoting healthy employer–employee relations.
 
He also shared insights into ITC’s growth journey (2002–2023) and its manufacturing presence across India, underscoring the strong link between industrial harmony and organizational success.
 
The session proved to be highly insightful, as it bridged theoretical knowledge with practical applications and enriched the students’ understanding of workplace relations and collective bargaining.

A session on Cyber Security

SDMIMD hosted a special guest lecture on Cybersecurity at its campus. The session was delivered by Dr. Ravichandra Kulkarni, Dean of Research and Development and Head of the Department of Cybersecurity at MIT Mysuru.
 
The lecture primarily focused on cybersecurity issues in business processes. Dr. Kulkarni highlighted the various types of cybersecurity threats and explained the precautionary measures organizations must adopt to safeguard themselves.
 
“Awareness of cybersecurity is the first step in preventing cyber scams. Understanding different types of threats and following best security practices can significantly reduce the risk of cybercrimes,” he emphasized.
 
He also presented statistics on cyber threats, scams, and victims, pointing out that these crimes are driven by multiple motives. Addressing the challenges of the digital era, Dr. Kulkarni noted that evolving technologies and the growing remote work culture have intensified risks, making the role of cyber law enforcement even more critical.
 
However, he suggested that proper policy development, robust risk management, and effective incident response planning can help organizations build stronger and more secure systems.

SDMIMD Evaluates and Reports the Impact of JK Tyre’s CSR Projects

As part of a recent corporate engagement, SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, undertook a comprehensive evaluation of several community-oriented projects initiated by JK Tyre’s Mysuru units. The evaluation culminated in a detailed report, which has been submitted to the senior management of JK Tyre.
 
The assessment focused on JK Tyre’s CSR interventions across key verticals—livelihood enhancement, school education, and water & lake conservation. The projects were found to generate multi-dimensional outcomes in the short term, with significant long-term impacts on the communities involved. The initiatives were observed to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic and environmental well-being of grassroots populations.
 
The report meticulously analyzed the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of these initiatives. The findings indicate that JK Tyre’s CSR projects not only align with benchmark standards but also deliver high social returns on investments made by the company. The report also presents action plans for future initiatives and offers a strategic roadmap for continued and enhanced impact.
 
The evaluation and report preparation was led by Dr. B. Venkatraja, Associate Professor of Economics at SDMIMD, as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with Dr. M. Indira, Professor of Economics (Retired), University of Mysore.  Mr. Venkatesh Goudar and Mr. Lohit R Patil of SDMIMD supported the team as Research Associates. SDMIMD appreciates the effort of the team. 
 
The report was handed over by Dr. B Venkatraja on behalf of SDMIMD to Mr. Eshawar Rao, Vice President, JK Tyres in the presence of senior functionaries of JK Tyre in a meeting held recently at JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, Mysore unit.   
 
SDMIMD and the project team extend their sincere gratitude to JK Tyre management for the trust and collaboration. Special thanks are due to Mr. Eshawar Rao, Vice President – JK Tyre; Mr. Anupam Bajpai, National Head – CSR for JK Tyre; Mr. Jagadesh R, Senior General Manager of JK Tyre Mysuru; and Mr. Nagaraja C, Sr.Officer- HR IR & Welfare – JK Tyre Mysuru, for their unwavering support throughout the project. The team also acknowledges the consistent encouragement provided by Lt Col (Dr.) Prasad S N, Director, SDMIMD.

Young Indians-CII Hosts Mysuru Entrepreneurship Habba 2025

Young Indians – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized the Mysuru Entrepreneurship Habba at SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) on September 12, 2025. The primary objective of the event was to transform Mysuru into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship.
 
The inaugural session brought together eminent industry leaders who have achieved significant milestones in their entrepreneurial journeys. Nagaraj Gargeshwari, Chairperson of CII Mysuru and President & Whole-time Director of Automotive Axles Limited, addressed the gathering and spoke about how entrepreneurial journeys begin. “Necessity is the mother of invention. An entrepreneur identifies the needs of society and develops products accordingly. However, to be a successful entrepreneur, business acumen, financial knowledge, and the ability to take risks are very important,” he explained.
 
Savita Mallappa, CEO of rProcess, Mysuru, shared insights from her entrepreneurial career. She emphasized that no one is a born entrepreneur and that success requires consistent effort. “To start any new venture, purpose, passion, and perseverance are crucial,” she said.
 
Sam Cherian, Former Chairperson of CII and Founder of Schevaran Laboratories Private Limited, elaborated on the essential qualities of an entrepreneur. “Starting a new business requires courage and caution. An entrepreneur must take full responsibility for their decisions. Failures are common in entrepreneurial journeys, but having the right mindset is critical,” he stated.
 
Mr. Utsav Agarwal, Vice Chairperson of CII and Director at Bhoruka Fabcons Private Limited, shared his experiences and the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur. “An aspiring entrepreneur should never hesitate. Building connections with successful people can change the game at any time. In the initial days, your work may go unrecognized, but patience and perseverance are essential throughout the journey,” he advised.
 
Dr. (Lt Col) Prasad S. N., Director of SDMIMD, analyzed the possible reasons for entrepreneurial failure. He highlighted that the inability to manage people, finances, and markets often leads to setbacks. “Remaining within one’s comfort zone can also hinder entrepreneurial ideas,” he added.
 
The Mysuru Entrepreneurship Habba featured a series of engaging sessions, including masterclasses on unlocking grants, personal branding, panel discussions, fireside chats, and thought-provoking talks by industry leaders.
 
Another highlight of the event was Bharath Pitchathon 4.0 – Mysuru Edition, an investor pitching session, where aspiring entrepreneurs and young business leaders presented their ideas to potential investors.

Workshop on the Craft of Case Writing: From Idea to Impact

SDMIMD organized a one-day workshop on “The Craft of Case Writing: From Idea to Impact” on August 29, 2025. The session was facilitated by Dr. K. Riyazahmed, Associate Professor of Finance at SDMIMD.
 
The workshop was designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in the complete process of case study development, right from idea generation to preparing a solid first draft. It combined key methodological foundations with practical exercises, enabling participants to transform their ideas into compelling and well-structured case drafts.
 
Participants also gained valuable insights into the finer aspects of case crafting, particularly the requirements and standards for acceptance by reputed international publishers such as Ivey Publishing, Emerald, and SAGE. The workshop attracted over 20 participants, including academicians, research scholars, and field experts from across the country.

Successfully hosted Research Development Program (RDP)

SDMIMD Mysore organized one-day Research Development Program on “Crafting Impactful Research Papers: Mastering the Art of Publishing in Highly Indexed Journals” on August 22, 2025. 
 
The day long sessions were designed and led by Dr.Venkatraja.B, Associate Professor of Economics, SDMIMD, Mysuru delved into: conceptualizing impactful research, best practices of structuring manuscripts, strategic approaches to journal targeting & selection and ethical & integrity dimensions of research. 
 
The offline sessions held at SDMIMD were attended by 64 participants who were  Faculty, Research Scholars and Practitioners. Vibrancy to the program was added by the interactive and engaging discussions with participants across sessions. 
 
Dr.S.N. Prasad, Director- SDMIMD, Mysuru delivered opening remarks to the program and presented certificate to the participants. Prof. Venkatesh Goudar, SDMIMD, Mysuru coordinated the program. 

1st International Operations Conference on Re-engineering Business Ecosystem: Synergies and Innovations in Operations and Beyond (SIOB-2025)

August 18, 2025, Mysore, India – The SDMIMD is currently hosting the 1st International Operations Conference on Re-engineering Business Ecosystem: Synergies and Innovations in Operations and Beyond (SIOB-2025). The one-day conference has brought together industry leaders, academic scholars, and students to discuss the evolving role of operations management in organizational transformation and technological innovation.
 
The conference began with a formal lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing the illumination of knowledge and progress. The lamp was lit by Dr. Anand Sasikumar, Conference Chair; Dr. S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD; and Mr. Sreekanth Murugan, Chief Guest. Dr. Prasad invited the Chief Guest to inaugurate the event, after which the dignitaries jointly unveiled the conference slides. Dr. Anand Sasikumar introduced the theme “Integrating Operations Management with Emerging Trends and Disciplines,” emphasizing the growing significance of interdisciplinary approaches in today’s business landscape.
 
In his keynote address, Mr. Sreekanth Murugan spoke on “Collaborative Ecosystems: Aligning Operations with Open Innovation”. He highlighted open innovation, integration strategies, and advances in warehouse automation and robotics. The session also featured insights from UPS’s client onboarding process and a video demonstration of its highly automated warehouse system.
 
A research workshop on AI tools for research and writing was conducted by Dr. Binju Saju, Assistant Professor, Adi Shankara Institute of Technology and Engineering. The technical session on “Transforming Supply Chains with IoT, Robotics, and 5G” will feature insights from Mr. Rohit Agarwal (Ericsson), Mr. Shrini Sarangapani (The Timken Company), and Mr. Bhupinder Singh Chawla (Infosys), moderated by Mr. Sunil Bhardwaj, Managing Partner, ImpactEazer Consulting. The day will conclude with a valedictory address by Dr. Subramani Ramakrishnan, Vice President, UPS India Technology Center, followed by closing remarks from Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, and the vote of thanks by Dr. Kannadas S.
 
During the inaugural session, 26 research papers were registered for presentation, covering a wide spectrum of contemporary topics in operations management. These presentations are expected to encourage lively discussions and the exchange of practical and research-driven insights among participants. 
 
The 1st International Operations Conference reaffirms SDMIMD’s position as a leading academic institution committed to advancing research, fostering innovation, and encouraging global knowledge exchange in the field of operations management. The event continues to set high standards for academic discourse and industry engagement in India and beyond.

Industry visit to Frauscher Sensor Technology

On 14th August 2025, members of the Yi Mysuru Chapter, along with representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), visited Frauscher Sensor Technology, a global leader in railway sensor solutions. This visit formed an integral part of the ESG Modular Specialisation course and was thoughtfully managed by the ESG Committee.
 
The day began with an engaging introduction to Frauscher’s journey, its innovative product lines, and its contribution to advancing railway safety and efficiency worldwide. Participants then attended an interactive session on sensor technologies, where experts highlighted how precision engineering, sustainability, and innovation come together to create impactful solutions for the rail industry.
 
A key highlight was the knowledge-sharing session with Frauscher professionals, who not only showcased their cutting-edge systems but also addressed questions from Yi members. This helped bridge classroom learning with real-world application while also reinforcing the role of sustainable practices and governance in industry innovation.
 
The visit was made possible through the collaboration of CII and Yi Mysuru, who continue to create meaningful platforms for learning and exposure. The experience left participants inspired, motivated, and with deeper insights into how global technology leaders operate at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and governance.