Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 13: The School of commerce, finance and accountancy, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), in collaboration with ISDC (International Skill Development Corporation), organized an international conference on 'Industry & innovation - building resilient leadership for inclusive & sustainable development' on February 12. The conference brought together distinguished academicians, industry leaders, and researchers to discuss strategies for fostering innovation, resilience in leadership, and sustainable development. It provided a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange through keynote speeches, technical sessions, and research presentations.
The inaugural ceremony held in the morning, at L F Rasquinha Hall, LCRI, commenced with a solemn invocation, followed with graceful welcome dance, perfectly set the stage for an insightful day’s deliberation. Dr Manuel Tauro (dean) welcomed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of balancing industrial growth with societal and environmental well-being. The chief guest, Dr Anand Edward D’Souza (director, DAWN HR Solutions Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru), reflected on his entrepreneurial journey and encouraged students to embrace commitment, resilience, and innovation while navigating uncertainties with integrity.
The guest of honour, Joseph Santhosh Sequeira (principal Cloud Architect, Dedalus National Healthcare Services Global, UK), shared insights on IT advancements, stressing the importance of seizing opportunities and resilience. He cited Colonel Sanders’ success story to inspire perseverance. Fr Vishwas Joy Misquith SJ (finance officer) presided over the event, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to intellectual growth and inclusive leadership. He urged young leaders to embrace agility and innovation in the face of technological and economic disruptions.
Video messages from pro-chancellor Fr Melwin Pinto SJ and vice-chancellor Dr Praveen Martis SJ reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering industry-academia collaboration and sustainable growth. Other esteemed dignitaries present included Dr Alwyn D’Sa (registrar, St Aloysius College), Dr Ronald Nazareth (registrar, St Aloysius Deemed to be University), Dr Denis Fernandes (director, Arrupe Block), and Nandadevi (manager, business relationship, ISDC).
The keynote address by Ronald Olivera (founder & CEO, Zillion Pathways, Dubai) highlighted the importance of focus, determination, and continuous learning. He emphasized the need for strong communication skills and mastery of the English language to achieve success in global industries. Ms Renita Aranha, Assistant Profession, compered the morning sessions.
A technical session was led by Shujath Bin Ali (general counsel & chief compliance officer, re-sustainability Ltd), who spoke on entrepreneurship and sustainable leadership. He stressed the significance of staying informed about industry trends, maintaining discipline, and embracing positive thinking. He also underscored the shift in business performance measurement, moving beyond profit to the people-planet-profit framework, aligned with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The conference witnessed active participation, with 143 paper presentations in hybrid mode, including 70 offline and 73 online, spread across 11 tracks (06 online, 05 offline). Researchers explored diverse topics in general management, finance, human resources, information technology, and marketing, engaging the audience with their valuable insights. The meticulous planning by conference conveners Poojari Nisha Gopal and Renita Joyce Fernandes ensured its resounding success.
The valedictory ceremony, held in the evening at L F Rasquinha Hall, LCRI, featured Dr Denis Fernandes (director, Arrupe Block) as the chief guest and Dr Alwyn D’Sa (registrar, St Aloysius College) as the guest of honour. Dr Shobha (HOD) welcomed the gathering, while Poojari Nisha Gopal delivered the vote of thanks. The ceremony was compered by Rishal D’Souza (assistant professor).
In his address, Dr Denis Fernandes highlighted the delicate balance between industrial growth and environmental sustainability, urging a legacy of care for future generations. Dr Alwyn D’Sa referenced Darwin’s theory, emphasizing resilience, creativity, and adaptability as key to thriving in a dynamic world. Dr Suresh Poojari (former dean) appreciated the conference’s theme, noting that many start-ups fail due to a lack of resilience and advocating for sustainable development in both professional and personal life. The president of the valedictory function, Dr Ronald Nazareth, registrar, applauded the school of commerce for hosting the international conference on the contemporary issue.
As the curtains fell on this enlightening conference, the spirit of collaboration and innovation resonated strongly. The event reinforced the need for leadership that embraces inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience, paving the way for a transformative future in business and education.