IISWBM, MBA Public Systems Kolkata in collaboration with the CII-ITC CESD and SwitchON Foundation organized a seminar on ‘Roadmap for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals’

Kolkata : In a significant step towards sustainability, MBA Public Systems at the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management (IISWBM), Kolkata, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development (CII-ITC CESD) and SwitchON Foundation, successfully organized a one-day seminar aimed at charting a roadmap for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). It brought together students from various colleges and universities to share ideas on how they think about the environment.

The seminar served as a vital platform for industry experts, researchers, and academicians to engage in discussions, present papers and posters, and share knowledge on critical topics such as resource management, environmental impacts, climate change, energy transition, and green supply chains. The event explored various themes including net-zero emissions, life cycle assessment, zero liquid discharge, climate change adaptation, disaster management, renewable energy, and sustainable waste management.

Prof. (Dr.) Pradip K Sikdar, Head, MBA-Public Systems, IISWBM said, “At IISWBM, we believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange to drive positive change. This seminar provided a platform for students from different colleges to come together, brainstorm solutions, and chart a course towards a more sustainable future.”

The event was attended by Chief Patron Shri Dipankkar Dasgupta, Director, IISWBM, Chairman Prof. (Dr.) Pradip Kumar Sikdar, Head, MBA-Public Systems and Vice-Chairman Mr. Shikhan Jain, Executive Director-CESD, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, and many more dignitaries.

Ms. Ranjeeta Bhattacharya, Senior Program Manager at SwitchON Foundation, stated, “The environment today is in a crisis and it requires commitment to create awareness and promote solutions and actions. This seminar shall actively shape a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

Around 25 students presented papers and 10 posters on various sustainable themes. Approximately 200 people participated in the seminar. The seminar provided a unique platform for students to share their research findings, insights, and innovative solutions to pressing sustainability challenges. From exploring novel approaches to resource management to devising strategies for climate change adaptation, students showcased the depth of their knowledge and commitment to driving positive change.

One of the highlights of the seminar was the publication of accepted abstracts in soft copy proceedings, facilitating wider dissemination of research findings and insights. Additionally, the event recognized and awarded the best three papers and posters, acknowledging outstanding contributions in the field.

Mr. Anupam Ray, Senior Advisor, Business Consulting, KPMG said, “This seminar stands as a platform where students from various backgrounds converge to collectively brainstorm, innovate, and strategize, forging a path towards sustainable development. The collaboration between academia and industry exemplified the collective commitment towards addressing pressing environmental and social challenges.”

Ms. Poushali Chowdhury, an attendee at the event said, “Presenting my paper at this seminar has been an empowering experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to discussions on sustainability and to see our ideas being taken seriously by industry professionals and academics alike.”