Campus News

Winter School on Agentic Systems and the Transformation of Work & Symposium on Agentic AI

Winter School on Agentic Systems and the Transformation of Work
January 28 – February 7, 2026 | SDMIMD, Mysuru

SDMIMD, Mysuru, will host a Winter School on Agentic Systems and the Transformation of Work, focusing on how agentic AI systems are reshaping organizations, decision-making, and the future of work. The programme brings together global experts from academia and industry to offer deep insights, practical perspectives, and forward-looking discussions on emerging AI-driven work models.

Resource Persons

  • Dr. Lee Schlenker, Business Analytics Institute, France

  • Dr. Christian Hitz, Zurich University of Applied Sciences

  • Mr. Davy Cielen, Maiton Consulting Group, London

  • Mr. Thierry Schaltegger, Zurich University of Applied Sciences

  • Dr. M Minhaj, SDMIMD, India

Symposium on Agentic AI
30 January 2026 | SDMIMD, Mysuru

As part of the Winter School, SDMIMD will also organize a Symposium on Agentic AI, bringing together thought leaders from industry and academia to deliberate on the evolving role of agentic AI in business and society.

Keynote Address

  • Dr. Lee Schlenker, Principal Consultant, Business Analytics Institute, France

Panel Discussion

  • Mr. Davy Cielen, Maiton Consulting Group, London

  • Mr. Srinivas Varadarajan, CEO, Vigyanlabs, Mysuru

  • Dr. Navin Patel, Associate VP & Head – AI Academy, Infosys, Mysuru; Convener, IT Panel, CII Mysuru

  • Dr Prasad SN (Lt Col), Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru

  • Dr. M Minhaj, Dean – Academics, SDMIMD, Mysuru

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

Pratigam 2026

Parting is inevitable in the journey of life—but returning, reconnecting, and reliving cherished memories is its greatest gift. Reunions remind us of who we once were, strengthen bonds that time can never fade, and rekindle hopes that guide us forward with renewed purpose.

SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysuru experienced one such profoundly moving moment during Pratigam 2026, the recent alumni meet held on campus. The corridors once again echoed with laughter, shared stories, golden memories, and reflections of journeys that began within these very walls. Every corner of the campus came alive with nostalgia, warmth, and pride.

It was a deeply proud moment for SDMIMD to witness its former students—once young dreamers—now standing tall as accomplished professionals, visionary leaders, and change-makers across industries. Their achievements, values, and leadership bring enduring glory to the institution that shaped their beginnings.

Pratigam 2026 was not just a reunion; it was a celebration of relationships, growth, and a shared legacy—an unforgettable reminder that while time may take us forward, the spirit of SDMIMD forever keeps us connected.

Vittaksha 2026

Curious minds, intense competition, moments of nail-biting anticipation, and unwavering perseverance for success—Vittaksha–2026 at SDMIMD was a true celebration of intellect and ambition.

The Finacle – the Finance and Economics Club of SDMIMD, Mysuru, successfully hosted Vittaksha–2026, a vibrant intercollegiate finance event held on January 5, 2026, bringing together young financial minds on a single, dynamic platform. Designed with precision and creativity, the event reflected the ingenuity, dedication, and tireless efforts of the Finacle team members, who worked meticulously to ensure a seamless and enriching experience.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from 37 teams representing colleges across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Coimbatore, and Mangaluru, creating an atmosphere charged with competition, collaboration, and intellectual rigour. Vittaksha–2026 emerged as a grand success—not only in terms of participation but also in the quality of engagement and execution—standing as a testament to the Finacle Committee’s consistent commitment to excellence in event organization and academic enrichment.

Niveus Solutions CEO Suyog Shetty discusses agentic AI and future enterprises

Mr. Suyog Shetty, CEO of Niveus Solutions, addressed students and professionals in a session focused on Agentic AI, highlighting the growing role of autonomous AI agents in enterprise environments. He explained how agentic systems—capable of reasoning, planning, and executing tasks independently—are redefining business workflows, decision-making processes, and productivity across industries.
 
Drawing from his experience across India’s technology ecosystem, Shetty discussed how organisations are increasingly moving beyond traditional automation towards intelligent systems that can adapt to dynamic business requirements. He noted that Agentic AI holds significant potential in areas such as cloud operations, analytics, customer engagement,and large-scale enterprise transformation.
 
Shetty is also the Secretary of TiE Mangalore and brings over two decades of industry experience, having previously worked with Infosys and Wipro in leadership and technology roles. He currently leads Niveus Solutions, a prominent global Google Cloud consulting firm and a strategic partner of Google Cloud. Niveus Solutions is also part of NTT DATA, strengthening its position in delivering large-scale cloud and AI-driven digital transformation services worldwide.
 
The session offered insights into how agentic AI is expected to shape the future of work, enterprise intelligence, and India’s evolving digital economy.

13th International Conference on HR 5.0: The Human-Centric Future of Work at SDMIMD

SDMIMD successfully hosted the 13th International Conference on HR 5.0 – The Human-Centric Future of Work, bringing together academicians, industry leaders, HR professionals, and researchers to deliberate on the evolving role of HR in a technology-driven world.
 
The conference opened with introductory remarks by Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, who highlighted contemporary HR challenges and emerging trends. Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, Dean – International Relations and Conference Chair, introduced the central theme, describing HR 5.0 as a progressive integration of advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and data analytics with core human values of empathy and inclusivity.
 
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kiranpreet Kaur, Chief of People, CPM India, who emphasised the rapid transformation of HR functions in the post-COVID era and underscored the importance of ethical and effective adoption of technology. The inaugural session also featured a special address by Mr. Rajesh Jha, Country Sustainability Manager, ABB India, who highlighted HR’s strategic role in driving sustainability, employee wellness, and responsible organisational practices.
 
A major highlight of the conference was the alumni panel discussion, featuring distinguished SDMIMD alumni from Unisys India, Diligent Global India, and Oracle India, who shared valuable professional insights with participants. The valedictory ceremony was graced by Mr. Jahangir Shaikh, Director – HRBP, Zepto, as the Chief Guest. The conference also included technical sessions by eminent speakers from IIM Raipur and Biocon Biologics, along with a panel discussion on “Leveraging Technology for Human-Centricity at Work,” led by senior industry leaders.
 
With participation from over 100 delegates and the presentation of more than 70 research papers, the conference provided a vibrant platform for in-depth discussions on shaping future-ready, human-centric workplaces.

HR Dasara 2025

The Mysuru City Corporation is planning to expand into the Brihat Mysuru Mahanagara Palike, considering the city’s growing population and the need for smoother administration, said Mr. G. S. Somashekhar, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), Mysuru City Corporation. He noted that the administration is facing challenges in several areas due to rapid population growth, which has necessitated this decision.
 
Delivering a special address at HR Dasara–2025: The Biggest Industry and Cultural Conference, jointly organized by Apollo Hospitals Mysuru and SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, Mr. Somashekhar shared insights into the city’s development plans. He observed that a large segment of the population is migrating to Mysuru in search of better employment opportunities, putting pressure on the city’s infrastructure. To address these challenges and ensure effective governance, he stated that Mysuru would be upgraded to a Brihat Mahanagara Palike. He also highlighted the tremendous contribution of the Mysuru Wadiyars to the city’s planned development, noting that their visionary urban planning provides a strong foundation for the city’s continued growth.
 
Dr. (Lt Col) Prasad S. N., Director, SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysuru, graced the occasion and spoke about recent academic and institutional developments at SDMIMD. He highlighted the institute’s alignment with the vision and values of the SDM Educational Trust and emphasized SDMIMD’s sustained efforts to contribute to society through value-based management education, stakeholder engagement, and meaningful industry collaboration.
 
Mr. Bharatheesh Reddy, Vice President and Unit Head, Apollo Hospitals Mysuru, was also present and shared his perspectives on the future of the healthcare sector. He stated that demand for healthcare services is expected to multiply in the coming years, necessitating the expansion of resources and facilities, which in turn would generate significant employment opportunities. He added that Karnataka and India have shown strong performance in the healthcare sector due to proactive government initiatives taken over the past decade, while also emphasizing the need to further enhance healthcare infrastructure in line with population growth.
 
Mr. C. V. Srinivasan, Head HRIR, Zenith Textiles, and Chairman, NIPM Mysuru Chapter, opined that Mysuru should witness balanced and planned growth. He stressed the importance of providing adequate facilities and a robust support system to ensure smooth development and avoid future inconveniences for the city.
 
Mr. Gautham B. M., Head HR – Radico (South) and Chairman, Mysore CHRO Forum, provided an overview of the HR Dasara initiative. He explained that the event aims to present key concerns to the authorities and serve as a bridge between academia and industry.
 
The event brought together HR professionals, industry leaders, academicians, students, and citizens, providing a common platform for meaningful dialogue and constructive discussions on the future development of Mysuru.

Business World B-School Survey 2025

In the Business World B-School Survey 2025, SDMIMD has achieved notable national and regional recognition. The Institute is ranked 36th among 166 Top B-Schools (Overall), 24th among 150 Private B-Schools in India, and 10th among 56 Top Private B-Schools in the South Zone. These rankings underscore SDMIMD’s sustained focus on academic rigor, industry integration, ethical leadership, and outcomes-driven management education.

SDMIMD Ranked in India Today B-School Survey 2025

India Today B-School Survey 2025 has ranked SDMIMD 34th among 234 Private B-Schools in India, reaffirming the Institute’s commitment to academic excellence, industry relevance, and holistic management education. This national recognition reflects SDMIMD’s strong pedagogy, experienced faculty, robust industry engagement, and consistent focus on developing responsible and competent management professionals.