IILM Fifth International Conference on “Resolution to Resolve: Sustainability Practices in Industry and Education”
New Delhi: IILM Institute for Higher Education, a leading Indian B-School committed to the Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) as envisaged by UN Global Compact, is organizing the 5th International Conference on Sustainability- “Resolution to Resolve: Sustainability Practices in Industry and Education” on 15th, 16th, and 17th of February, 2018 at IILM Lodhi Road Campus, New Delhi.
The UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative brings together the UN and business schools around the world to “inspire and champion responsible management education, research, and thought leadership globally” through the application of six principles: purpose, values, method, research, partnership, and dialogue.
IILM is an Advanced PRME Signatory, designated by United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), an initiative of the United Nations. Its Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) have inspired us to organise this International conference and work on this idea, advance its reach, practice and understanding among all sections of society.
The United Nations has declared 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the key to its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. IILM, in its capacity and reach, mobilizes its network and resources to bring together other signatory business schools, thought leaders, policy makers, researchers, pioneers in the field, industry experts and most importantly, engages with the next generation of business leaders through the platform of its International conference to proactively analyse, debate the roadmap for future, supporting the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s conference is inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those focused on the aspects of Quality Education, Innovation, Infrastructure and Industry. One of the key objectives of this conference is to create awareness about SDGs among companies, educational institutions, policy makers, NGOs, etc. to initiate activities for inclusion of SDG related initiatives in business school courses, research and in the corporate world.
During the inaugural session today, the welcome address was delivered by Dr.Bhaskar Chatterjee, Senior Director, IILM during which he welcomed the eminent speakers and the audience to this conference. He gave an overview of the three day to come and then invited the speakers to share their thoughts.
Mr. Vinay Kumar, Director Artificial Intelligence, Azure and Search Partnerships, Microsoft addressed the gathering and highlighted the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the fourth industrial revolution. He touched upon the broader questions of job displacements, AI design principles, government policies and AI ethics as areas that need consideration.
Mr. R. Ramanan, Mission Director, ATAL Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, GOI shed light on various initiatives taken by Atal innovation mission at Niti Ayog including ‘Mentor India Network’ and ‘Mentor of Change’. Further he stressed on the need for education to create innovative minds and job creators rather than only job seekers in the Indian context.
The Chief Guest Prof. Furqan Qamar, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities, delivered the keynote address. He began his speech by quoting examples of how AI is eliminating repetitive jobs and how, many current jobs will be taken up by machines in the near future. He specifically spoke about SDG 4 that focuses on quality education and further highlighted its critical aspects including access, equity & inclusion, quality of higher education and affordability.
This landmark event was set off with the release of IILM’s flagship publication entitled “Resolution to Resolve: Sustainability Practices in Industry and Education” (published by Bloomsbury). This book has contributions from some of our Nation’s most well-known and eminent academicians, practitioners, authors and intellectuals highlighting some of the most effective thoughts and ideas related to the focus SDGs as mentioned above. This compilation of thoughtful and well researched contributions is not only a great value add and gravitas to the event but also provides a thought provoking platform to the discussions that will ensue. The book has been edited by IILM faculty along with Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee, Senior Director, IILM.
The book release was followed by a panel discussion on the same topic moderated by Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee during which Mr. Kamal Singh, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network India, Dr. Sangeeta Mansur, Founder-Catalyst Bhairavi Business & Consultancy, Prof. Vivek Nagpal, Senior Consultant, MHRD, Mr. Rajeeb Kumar Debnath, Advisor PwC, and Mr. Sudarshan Rodriguez, Senior Programme Coordinator, Director’s Office, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, enlightened the gathering on the subject. Each of them presented their contribution to the book and gave insights on its relevance in the context of current education and industry.
Day 1 of the conference concluded successfully leaving the audience eager for the forthcoming sessions.
This international conference provides a platform for industry experts, Diplomats and academicians from different parts of the world to interact and engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue on aspects of Sustainability and Innovation that are extremely important drivers of responsible management in the current business context.