The 21st Nirma International Conference on Management (NICOM), organized by the Institute of Management, Nirma University (IMNU), commenced on 11th January 2018. NICOM has been an annual event at IMNU, providing a platform for an interactive discussion between academicians and industry veterans on a plethora of topics under a common theme. The conference also witnesses academicians and practitioners from India and abroad presenting their research in as many as 60 sub-themes viz, Strategic Management Process, Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, Functional Level Strategies, Functional Information Systems & DS, Digital Ecosystem, etc., in four track sessions spread across the three days Conference. Plenary sessions in which prominent personalities from the industry address the audience on various topics are also organized.
The chief guest for the inaugural session was Mr. Gurmeet Singh Sethi, Managing Director, Johnson Controls- Hitachi Ltd. The president of Nirma University, Dr. Karsanbhai Patel, Vice President of Nirma University, Mr. K.K. Patel and Dr. Anup Singh, Director General, Nirma University was also a part of the function. The chairpersons for NICOM, 2018 were Dr. Nityesh Bhatt, Prof. Balakrishnan Unny and Dr. Shahir Bhatt, professors of the Institute of Management, Nirma University (IMNU). Dr. M. Mallikarjun, Director In-charge, IMNU delivered the welcome address.
In the inaugural speech, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Sethi stressed on the importance of Digital India campaign given the rapid change in the business environment, the need for Smart Cities, and the creation of high-level jobs with the advent of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. He concluded his speech by advising the students to be lifelong learners, as education does not end with the ending of college.
The Plenary Session was graced by three speakers: Mr. Mukesh Kumar- Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation; Prof. Jagdeep Chhokar- Association for Democratic Relations and Mr. Sanjeev Jain, Executive Director ? Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Gujarat. Mr. Mukesh Kumar talked about the importance of business and associated commercial activities in the heritage area of Ahmedabad. He also pressed on the importance of Planning while working on a Transformational Change as it is important to include the people who are interested in carrying out and contributing to change. Prof Jagdeep Chhokar was of the opinion that for a society to grow, it has to find a suitable way of organizing itself. Reforms at civil, as well as educational fronts, are required. At a micro level, every single citizen can transform the society by deciding on what kind of societal transformation is needed which is a difficult decision. He quoted, ?No job in the land is more important than that of being a citizen. What we forget is that before we can become anything, we must try to become a good citizen.? Mr. Sanjeev Jain summed up the session with an insight that even smallest of ideas can create a significant impact on the society a vote of thanks to all the delegates and speakers.
Several tracks were also organised where researchers presented papers on various themes and topics such as Handicrafts from Shantiniketan, Measuring Impact of Social Entrepreneurs on Heritage Management of Ahmedabad city, Stock Market Volatility in International Market and its Impact on volatility in Indian market, Creativity and Innovation ? an Outcome of Organisational Culture, Adoption of E-Banking in Indian Society, Economic Moats and Technology, The Role of International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Changing the Landscape of International BFSI Business in India and more.
Day 1 of NICOM 2018 concluded on a high note with the student and faculty fraternity benefitting from the discussions and presentations made by the delegates.