Current Happenings

In a landmark event that marked the first edition of “Trending Issues in Management,” Paari School of Business at SRM University-AP brought together a stellar lineup of industry stalwarts to delve into the transformative world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The conference aimed at unravelling the complexities, exploring the opportunities, and addressing the challenges posed by AI in the ever-evolving landscape of modern management.

The event featured an elite panel of speakers, including Mr Sudhakar Vadapalli, Senior Vice President IT and Corporate Affairs, Biological E. Limited, Hyderabad, Saurabh Singh, Senior Vice President, Global Delivery Leader, Polestar Solutions, Delhi, Shriram Vasudevan (FIE, FIETE, SMIEEE), Technical Evangelist, Intel India Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, Laxminarayanan G, Global Head of Automation, Cyient, Bangalore, Karthiban Pandiyan MBB® PMP®, Leader Process Excellence, PwC India, Bangalore, and Ramya Sampathkumar, Independent Consultant and ex-Chief Digital Officer, Chennai.
They were joined by SRM AP’s esteemed members, Dr R Premkumar, Registrar, Prof. Bharadhwaj Sivakumaran, Dean of Paari School of Business, Dr CA Mahalakshmi Mudliar, and Mr Arun Prasad, offering a rich blend of theoretical insights and practical perspectives on AI’s impact on management.

Prof. Bharadhwaj Sivakumaran set the tone in his welcome speech, emphasising the school’s commitment to embedding Quality, Innovation, Customer-Centric Approach, and Ethics into its curriculum. “Our aim is to provide students with a contemporary education that is at the forefront of industry trends, particularly in AI and Blockchain, ensuring they are market-ready,” he stated.

Truly, considering the advent of technology in recent times, Paari school of Business is the first B-School in the country to include Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain as compulsory courses. It is also first in launching a Certificate Programme in Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI in Marketing.

Keynote speaker Sudhakar Vadapalli captivated the audience with his exploration of AI’s evolution, referencing Howard Gardner’s definition of intelligence and highlighting the rapid advancements leading to today’s sophisticated Large Language Models like ChatGPT. “The journey from Turing’s initial concepts to today’s AI showcases a trajectory towards an intelligence that might one day parallel human cognition,” Vadapalli remarked.

The subsequent panel discussion was a deep dive into AI’s role in reshaping management, highlighting the technology’s potential to enhance efficiency, innovate decision-making processes, and foster continuous learning and adaptation. Yet, the experts also cautioned about the challenges, particularly concerning data privacy, security, and the ethical use of AI.

The consensus among the panellists was clear: AI is not a fleeting trend but a fundamental shift reshaping the business landscape. Embracing this change requires new skills, such as Prompt Engineering and a proactive approach to the ongoing developments in AI technologies.

This seminal event underscored the importance of AI in contemporary management and positioned the Paari School of Business as a pioneering institution committed to integrating cutting-edge technologies into its academic fabric, preparing a new generation of leaders ready to navigate the AI-driven future.

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.