Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 31: The city witnessed a defining moment in its growth journey on October 30 as the ET Now Business Conclave and Awards 2025 - Mangaluru edition unfolded at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre. The event, themed around India’s ambition to become a $7-trillion economy by 2030, brought together an impressive assembly of policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs and academic leaders who deliberated on Karnataka’s evolving role in driving inclusive, data-led and sustainable growth. As the official knowledge partner for this prestigious conclave, Nitte University played a central role in shaping the conversations, reaffirming its commitment to the vision of positioning Mangaluru as India’s emerging Silicon Beach - a coastal city where education, entrepreneurship and innovation converge to create a thriving ecosystem of opportunity.
The conclave took place against the backdrop of Karnataka’s impressive contribution of nearly 8.9% to India’s GDP and its continuing emergence as a nucleus for innovation and enterprise. Chief guests Capt Brijesh Chowta, Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada and U T Khader, speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, set the stage for the day’s proceedings by highlighting the region’s growing importance in the national economic narrative. Their remarks resonated with the audience, underlining the urgency of fostering collaboration between institutions, industry and innovators to ensure that Karnataka remains at the forefront of India’s growth story.
Among the highlights of the day was the dynamic panel discussion titled Tomorrow’s Talent with Today’s Trailblazers, moderated by three outstanding Nitte University students - Dhriti Shetty from Justice K S Hegde Institute of Management (JKSHIM), Rohan Pinto from Nitte University Centre for Science Education & Research (NUCSER) and Shasankh Kamat from NMAM Institute of Technology (NMAMIT). The student moderators led an engaging dialogue with CXO panellists Ajml Yenepoya, managing director of Unity Care and Health Services Pvt Ltd; Gurudatta Shenoy, managing partner of Mukund MGM Realty and Athmika Amin, executive director of JV International Pvt Ltd. Together, they explored how innovation, adaptability and purpose are shaping leadership in rapidly changing industries. The conversation was marked by candour and vision, and it reflected the confidence and preparedness of the next generation of professionals emerging from Nitte’s multidisciplinary campuses. The panel’s insights into leadership, talent development and regional growth echoed the larger message of the conclave, that the future of business depends as much on human ingenuity as it does on technological advancement.
A compelling moment followed with a fireside chat between Vishal Hegde, pro-chancellor (administration) of Nitte University and Anuiya Yadav, national editor, Times Network. The conversation explored the transformation of higher education in India and the need to make it accessible, adaptable and globally competitive. Hegde spoke eloquently about Nitte University’s continued efforts to extend high-quality education to students in rural and Tier-II regions, aligning with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020. He highlighted the university’s success in developing industry partnerships, establishing international collaborations and nurturing Centres of Excellence in domains such as cybersecurity, health sciences and business innovation. His remarks offered a glimpse into a future where universities act not as isolated academic spaces but as dynamic contributors to national progress.
Adding further distinction to Nitte’s participation, Dr Harsha Halahalli, registrar of Nitte University, was featured in an exclusive ET Now podcast recorded at the venue. In a thoughtful conversation that explored leadership, research and institutional growth, he reflected on the values that have shaped Nitte University’s identity as one of India’s most respected higher education institutions. He spoke of its strong performance in national and global rankings, its commitment to employability and placement readiness and its remarkable contribution to healthcare through the Justice K S Hegde Charitable Hospital and its 23 satellite health centres. Dr Harsha also emphasised the university’s inclusivity and diversity, describing how students from across India and abroad, find at Nitte, a community that nurtures intellectual ambition and social responsibility in equal measure.
The evening reached a celebratory peak when Nitte University was honoured with the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Education & Institutional Innovation award. The recognition celebrated the university’s transformative efforts in making global education accessible to local communities and its commitment to fostering a culture of innovation, compassion and excellence. Dr Harsha Halahalli, registrar of Nitte University, received the award on behalf of the institution.
The conclave also brought together influential voices from across business and industry, including Dharmendra B Mehta of CREDAI Karnataka, Arun Prabha of Mangaluru Smart City Ltd, Dinesh Pai of Hangyo Ice Cream, Dion Monteiro of Rohan Corporation, Rohith Bhat of wrkwrk, 99Games and Robosoft, and Pradeep Jhunjhunwala of AWS. Their presence reflected Mangaluru’s rising prominence as a business destination and a hub of entrepreneurial ambition. For Nitte University, the association with such leaders reaffirms its long-standing role in fostering partnerships that link academia to enterprise and nurture the kind of innovation-led development that will define the city’s future.
As the conversations of the conclave echoed through the halls of the TMA Pai International Convention Centre, they carried with them the promise of a future where Mangaluru is not merely a participant in India’s growth story, but a defining force within it - guided, inspired and empowered by institutions like Nitte University.