In a major initiative to promote financial literacy, the Paari School of Business organised a full-fledged Financial Education Programme under the Kona Kona Shiksha CSR Project, conducted by the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM), on November 23 – 24 and 27 – 28, 2024. Mr Chilkuri Vijay Kumar, an NISM-empanelled resource person, conducted the programme, which saw enthusiastic participation from more than 140 MBA students.

The 10-hour programme covered, among the most important themes, career opportunities within the securities market, some investment fundamentals, primary and secondary markets, mutual funds, and various investor protection mechanisms. Besides lectures, dynamic discussions were conducted with insight into current happenings to introduce participants to the world of financial planning and investment strategies.

Mr Vijay Kumar’s interactive sessions helped students gain deeper insights into the securities market and clarified their understanding of the risks and opportunities of investment. Distributing e-certificates and comprehensive reading materials added value to the learning experience.

The session has set the stage for creating financially informed and responsible citizens. This has further reinforced Paari School of Business’s commitment to providing industry-relevant education and helping its students achieve professional excellence.

In the heart of the evolving business landscape, the Paari School of Business at SRM University-AP hosted the national-level business fest, Ameya ’24, a beacon of excellence and innovation, on February 23-24, 2024. This pioneering event, co-sponsored by Amyra Silver, was a crucible of ideas, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit, attracting over 500 participants from 25 distinguished institutions.

The fest was inaugurated by an illustrious panel comprising Dr Bhanu Prakash Reddy Varla, a vanguard of entrepreneurship and chair of TiE Grad; Prof. Manoj K. Arora, the visionary Vice-Chancellor of SRM University-AP; Prof. Bharadhwaj Sivakumaran, Dean of Paari School of Business; and Prof. Vishnupad, Dean of Easwari School of Liberal Arts. Their presence underscored the fest’s commitment to blending academic rigour with real-world business acumen.

Empowering the Future: Leadership and Learning

Ameya ’24 was more than an event; it was a dynamic platform designed to instil leadership, team-building, and ethical decision-making skills among students. Prof. Manoj K. Arora highlighted the university’s dedication to offering experiences beyond traditional curricula, aiming to nurture a generation of dynamic entrepreneurs and professionals through unique courses such as Samaj Seva, Mind and Soul Training, and Happening Happenings.

A Journey of Inspiration: Dr Varla Bhanu Prakash Reddy

The chief guest, Dr Varla Bhanu Prakash Reddy, in his motivational address, shared his entrepreneurial odyssey, emphasising the importance of focus, skill accumulation, and horizon-broadening during graduate studies. Dr Reddy’s vision of an “Unstoppable India” leading the global economy, underscored by the rise of Indian unicorns, was a rallying call for students to become innovators and job creators, armed with SWOT analysis and upskilling from their student life.

A Kaleidoscope of Competitions

Ameya ’24 unveiled a spectrum of competitions designed to challenge and inspire:

Stock Pulse: A thrilling online stock simulation that tested participants’ investment strategies. Jainam R Jain from Nalanda Vidya Niketan bagged the first prize in this segment.

Product Palooze: A creative marketing challenge where teams devised unique selling propositions for randomly picked products. Praveen from Laki Reddy Bali Reddy College of Engineering became the winner.

Biz Wiz: A business quiz that spanned various domains, from CEO Showdown to Rapid-Fire rounds, engaging teams in a test of knowledge and wit. The winner of this competition was Venkata Yashwith Chakirala from Nalanda Vidya Niketan.

Elevator Pitch: An intense competition where individuals pitched fictional startups, showcasing their strategic thinking and persuasion skills. Shreeyash from SRM University-AP secured the winner rank in this one.

HR Odyssey: A deep dive into the future of Human Resource Management, with simulations and debates to test participants’ innovative HR solutions. Meghana from the Gates Institute of Management received the winning trophy in the competition.

Data Dynamo: A challenge that highlighted the importance of data visualisation and business intelligence, culminating in a real-world case study competition. Polavarapu Priyansha from SRM University-AP bagged the winning trophy in this segment.

IPL Auction Spectacle: A strategic game of cricket team building within a simulated budget, engaging participants in the intricacies of player selection and financial management. The winning position was secured by Suresh and Team from PB Siddhartha College of Arts and Science.

The business fair, a simulation of entrepreneurship, allowed students to experience the journey of setting up and managing a business through innovative kiosks, further enriching their learning experience.

Cultural Vibrance and Legacy

The fest also celebrated cultural heritage, with Chenda Melam captivating the audience, and a vibrant cultural evening of dance and music marking the conclusion of Ameya ’24. This fusion of business acumen and cultural celebration underscored the holistic development fostered at the event.

Ameya ’24 was not just an event but a milestone in the journey of future business leaders. It was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and vision in shaping the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. As participants departed, they carried with them not just the memories of competition and camaraderie but the spark to ignite their paths and contribute to an unstoppable India. This fest has truly set a benchmark for fostering a dynamic generation of entrepreneurs and professionals ready to take on the world’s business stages.

The Paari School of Business has organised a transformative two-day Young Investor Education Workshop on “Financial Education for Young Citizens” for MBA students on February 26-27, 2024, led by finance expert Dr Vijaya Kumar Chilukuri from NISM. The sessions covered diverse finance intricacies and career strategies. Certificates were awarded to participants who cleared the examination, adding value to their academic journey. A Pre-assessment and post-assessment were conducted, which helped students understand their learning journey. Dr Chilukuri’s expertise and his interactive sessions left a lasting impact on all the students, and they actively participated in learning many key concepts of savings and investments. These workshops conducted by the school align with SRM AP’s commitment to holistic education and student success.

Paari School of Business, the management precinct of SRM University-AP, hosted a dynamic panel discussion titled “Success Mantras for Managers” with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts. The four-member panel consisted of industry stalwarts from various fields of management and the keynote speaker, Mr Mukesh Jain, who is the CTO, VP & Global Head of People Analytics.

During the event, Prof. Bharadhwaj Sivakumaran, the Dean of the Paari School of Business, explained the purpose and significance of the event. He highlighted that the panelists had gained practical experience by failing and bouncing back, as well as observing and learning from people throughout their careers, and could provide insights on what it takes to succeed in the corporate world. Mr Mukesh Jain, the keynote speaker, shared his wisdom and motivation during the event. He stated, “the key skill one needs to possess as an entrepreneur is to have a good understanding of how things work”.

The panel discussion that followed Mr Jain’s speech was moderated by Mr Sidharth Shankar Tripathy, a Harvard alumnus and the present Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at SRM University-AP. The discussion was insightful and inspiring as Mr Tripathy posed thought-provoking questions to the panel members.

Mr Tripathy started the discussion with a stimulating idea, stating that a mantra is a successful formula that has the power to transform. He questioned the panel members about the criticality of the idea of corporate athleticism and received an astounding response from Mr Nayanjyoti Goswami, Managing Director, Finance Operations & Strategy, State Street, who stated that it is often less about degrees and more about one’s attitude to work.

Mr Satish Rajarathnam, Head of People & Administration, RCG Global Services emphasised the need for collaboration and networking as a leader. He also highlighted the importance of functional knowledge, communication, networking and marketing skills. Ms Jyothsana Kuchimanchi, Senior Director- United Health Group, explained that change is an integral part of a manager’s life, and a manager should always be ready to adapt and upskill oneself to cope with changes.

Mr Anandan Jayaraman, COO FCC, Society Generale Global Solution Centre discussed the need for a manager to empathise with the customer and team members by putting himself in their shoes. The dynamic members of the panel cited the importance of self-learning and self-training, which can motivate team members, suggesting that a leader is a reader and should always update and upskill himself.

The panel discussion was an absolute game-changer. The insights shared by the speakers were incredibly valuable and contributed to the student’s understanding of what it takes to be a successful manager.