Campus News

Ascend '25 – Reunion of the SDMIMD Fraternity in Bengaluru

The spirit of camaraderie, reflection, and celebration was on full display at Ascend ’25, the annual alumni gathering of SDMIMD, held in Bengaluru on July 12, 2025. The event was organized by Prerana – the SDMIMD Alumni Association, which brought together a vibrant mix of alumni from the past 30 batches, former and current faculty members, and institutional leadership in an atmosphere of joy and renewed connection.
 
The highlight of the evening was the presence of Ms. Banu Mushtaq, renowned Kannada author and International Booker Prize winner, who delivered an inspiring keynote address, leaving the audience deeply moved and intellectually invigorated.
 
Ascend ’25 seamlessly blended the Annual General Body Meeting and the Synergy Meet, offering a platform for meaningful conversations, networking, and celebration. The gathering was graced by Lt Col Prasad S N, Ph.D., Director, SDMIMD, whose presence reinforced the institute’s continued engagement with its alumni community.

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SDMIMD Felicitated by NSE Academy at IAKE Symposium

SDMIMD was felicitated by NSE Academy during the Industry Academia Knowledge Exchange (IAKE) symposium held in Bengaluru on July 17, 2025. The recognition highlights SDMIMD’s active participation in the academic initiatives of NSE Academy.
 
SDMIMD is proud to be one among the ten B-Schools from South India to receive this prestigious honour. The award was received on behalf of the Institute by Dr. M. Sriram, with deep gratitude extended to our Director, Dr. S. N. Prasad, for his unwavering support in this endeavour.

iNaturalist 2025 – SDMIMD Biodiversity Report

The iNaturalist 2025 Project at SDMIMD is a student-led biodiversity documentation initiative conducted across the institute’s 8-acre green campus. Using the global iNaturalist platform, flora and fauna were recorded, reflecting our commitment to sustainability and citizen science. This project aligns with the United Nations SDGs and SDMIMD’s ESG goals, fostering environmental stewardship and experiential learning. Supported by the student's ESG and Drishti Committees and faculty mentors, the initiative demonstrates how management education can integrate ecological responsibility with academic rigour, positioning SDMIMD as a model for nature-integrated campus practices and sustainability-focused pedagogy.

SDMIMD Inaugurates Customised Management Development Programme for Kaynes Technology Executives

SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, commenced a Customised Management Development Programme (MDP) tailored for M/s. Kaynes Technology Ltd., a leading electronics manufacturing solutions provider headquartered in Mysuru. The inaugural session was held on July 12, 2025, at the SDMIMD campus and was graced by senior leadership from both institutions, including Ms. Savitha Ramesh, Chairperson, and Mr. Ramesh Kannan, Managing Director of Kaynes Technology, alongside faculty members from SDMIMD. Designed specifically for 31 mid- to senior-level executives from Kaynes Technology, this three-month programme will comprise 45 hours of intensive learning, delivered through a series of interactive sessions conducted on weekends. The curriculum has been thoughtfully curated to address the evolving managerial development needs of technical professionals transitioning into broader leadership roles.
 
The core focus areas of the programme include Finance for Non-Finance Executives, equipping participants with financial acumen critical for cross-functional decision-making, Business Communication, aimed at enhancing managerial clarity and effectiveness, and Management Information Systems (MIS), emphasizing the strategic use of information systems in operational and executive decision processes. The initiative underscores SDMIMD’s ongoing commitment to fostering industry-academia collaboration and delivering impactful executive education that aligns with organizational development goals. It also reflects Kaynes Technology’s forward-looking approach to leadership development and talent capability enhancement. The MDP is expected to significantly enhance managerial competencies, bridge knowledge gaps, and support the participants in contributing more effectively to the strategic objectives of Kaynes Technology Ltd.

Invited Talk on Personal Branding by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

On July 12, 2025, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Professor of Marketing at the Telfer School of Management, University of Ottawa, Canada, delivered an insightful talk on Personal Branding as part of the Orientation Program for the PGDM 2025–27 batch at SDMIMD. Dr. Radhakrishnan emphasized the importance of building a strong personal brand in today’s competitive landscape, offering practical strategies for self-positioning, credibility building, and effective communication. The session encouraged students to consciously shape their professional identity and align it with their values and career aspirations.

Invited Talk by Mr. M. Nikhilesh, Founder & CEO, Kalisu Foundation

As part of the Orientation Program for the PGDM 2025–27 batch, SDMIMD was privileged to host Mr. M. Nikhilesh, Founder and CEO of Kalisu Foundation, Mysuru, on July 12, 2025. In his inspiring session, Mr. Nikhilesh shared insights from his journey in social entrepreneurship, highlighting the role of purpose-driven leadership and the importance of education in driving community transformation. His talk encouraged students to embrace responsibility, think beyond conventional success, and contribute meaningfully to society.

Workshop on ‘Resilient Leader: Cultivating Wellness for Peak Performance’ by Mr. A.R. Dwarakanath

SDMIMD organized a workshop on ‘Resilient Leader: Cultivating Wellness for Peak Performance’ as part of the Orientation Program for the PGDM 2025–27 batch. The session was conducted by Mr. A.R. Dwarakanath, Yoga Trainer, on July 11, 2025.
 
During the session, Mr. Dwarakanath stated, “Improving shareholder value is the prime task of any business organization. Therefore, companies need individuals who can think strategically and build sustainable business models, rather than those with cognitive bias.”
 
He emphasized that healthy individuals are crucial for organizational success and highlighted that resilient leaders must think beyond boundaries and focus on simple actions that can have a long-term impact.

Integrating Ayurveda and Yoga for Holistic Well-being – Talk by Dr. C.S. Anilkumar Dixit

As part of the Orientation Program at SDMIMD, Dr. C.S. Anilkumar Dixit, a renowned expert in Ayurvedic and Yogic practices, delivered an insightful session on July 10, 2025, emphasizing the integration of Ayurveda and Yoga into daily life. Drawing from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Dr. Dixit highlighted the holistic approach of these ancient sciences in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. He spoke on the foundational concept of Ahimsa (non-violence), the importance of setting clear intentions, and the role of traditional Indian cooking and spices in enhancing immunity. Stressing values such as truthfulness, contentment, and gratitude, Dr. Dixit encouraged students to adopt mindful practices for a balanced and fulfilling life.

Insightful Session on Navigating Technology Evolution and Building Tech-First Organizations

Dr. Navin Shankar Patel delivered a highly insightful talk on Navigating Technology Evolution and Building Tech-First Organizations on July 9, 2025, at SDMIMD. The session explored how technology continues to shape the business environment and emphasized the strategic shifts necessary for organizations to thrive in the digital era.
 
Key discussion points included the role of foundational technologies in the progress of civilization and a retrospective look at six decades of technological evolution. Dr. Patel illustrated how companies such as Blackberry, Nokia, and Byju's exemplify the risks associated with failing to adapt to rapid technological change. He introduced the concept of the Competitive Gravity Well, using Tesla as a case study to demonstrate how integrated technology ecosystems can create sustainable competitive advantage.
 
The anatomy of a tech-first organization was further illustrated through examples from Starbucks, Spotify, and Amazon, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making. A detailed walkthrough of the AI and GenAI value chain was presented using the “5 Cs” framework—Capture, Curate, Compute, Create, and Commercialize.
 
Additionally, Dr. Patel shared the “4 P” framework—Purpose, People, Process, and Platform—citing Reliance Jio as a benchmark example of a tech-first company.
 
To prepare future managers, he emphasized the importance of competencies such as data storytelling, prompt engineering, change management, Cloud and FinOps skills, continuous learning, and responsible AI governance.
 
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where students explored the discussed themes in greater depth, making it an enriching and future-focused learning experience.

Skill Spotlight Session on ‘Product Design and Innovation’

As part of the Orientation Program 2025, SDMIMD organized a Skill Spotlight Session on ‘Product Design and Innovation’ in collaboration with the Design - Centre of Excellence, Department of Design and Manufacturing, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru on July 9, 2025.
 
Mr. Allen Paul, from the Design - Centre of Excellence, Department of Design and Manufacturing, IISc Bengaluru, spoke about the importance of skill enhancement that all employees need to focus on in current times.
 
Talking about product design, Mr. Vijay Murali, also from IISc, discussed the various aspects and significance of product design. He also provided insights into the modules offered at the Design - Centre of Excellence at IISc Bengaluru.
 
Mr. Puneeth K.S. and Mr. Subrahmanyam C. conducted a hands-on activity on product design. Through this detailed activity, the resource persons helped students understand the step-by-step process of how a product is designed.
 
As a gesture of appreciation, tokens of gratitude and gifts were distributed to the winners of the pre-event activity conducted by IISc Bengaluru. Faculty members and students actively participated in the session, making it a valuable and engaging experience.