The Institute of Management Technology, Nagpur’s two-day 8th International Conference on Sustainability & Management Strategy started on Friday. The event is being organised in collaboration with California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB), United States and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nagpur. The Centre for Sustainability, Growth, and Development Committee at IMT Nagpur orchestrated the conference, commencing with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a soulful rendition of the Saraswati Vandana. Dr Gajavelli V S, Conference Chair for ICSMS 2023, Professor, Economics and General Management, welcomed the participants, setting the tone for the insightful discussions that followed. Dr Bigyan Verma, Director of IMT Nagpur, delivered the inaugural address, emphasising the significance of sustainability and management strategies in the contemporary global landscape. Distinguished keynote speaker Dr Vipin Gupta, Professor and Co-Director of the Centre for Global Management at California State University, San Bernardino, enlightened the audience on the theme “Self-awareness Dimension for the Sustainability of Digital Transformation.” Dr Vipin Gupta delved into a thought-provoking discourse on the classes of self-organising leaders, ideal followers, and the diverse types of entities during his presentation.

 

He explored the qualities essential for a leader and organiser, shedding light on the science of the ‘Ideal’ and its belief that every cell holds significance for the collective potential. Dr Gupta also touched upon the science of reality and religion, viewing religion as a dimension borrowed from the past to divine the future, aligning with the spirit of reason within time. Dr Elizabeth A Castillo, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Management at CSUSB, shared her expertise on “Integrated Reporting as a Strategy Tool for Sustainable Value Chain.” During her presentation, Dr Castillo provided insights into the intricate flow of energy within tropic levels. She delved into the concept of integrated reporting, emphasizing its significance in the Indian context. She discussed the strategic potential and functional benefits of integrated reporting, offering valuable perspectives on its implications for research, teaching, and practical application. Furthermore, she explored a case study on the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, illustrating the application of integrated reporting guiding principles. Dr Castillo’s discussion encompassed the nuanced aspects of integrated reporting, shedding light on its relevance and impact within the broader landscape of organisational practices and reporting methodologies.

 

Dr Atya Kapley, Head of the Environment Biotechnology and Genomics Division at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, delivered a compelling talk on “Closing the loop for a sustainable ecosystem,” emphasising the stark reality of climate change. Dr Kapley discussed how climate change has profoundly affected life on Earth, stressing the interconnectedness of all species and the need for humans to align with the natural world. She addressed issues through the lens of metagenomics, shedding light on the impact of biowaste entering water sources and disrupting ecosystems. She highlighted the significance of distinguishing between good and bad bacteria, pointing out the repercussions of antibiotic resistance due to the improper disposal of biowaste. She also emphasised the lack of rules implementation and data availability as contributing factors to our current environmental state. Dr Anup Kumar, Associate Professor, Operations Management, proposed the vote of thanks. The conference aimed to provide an interdisciplinary forum for professionals, academicians and administrators to present their views and assess the extent of collective action to encourage cooperation on the path to sustainable solutions.