Mrutyunjaya Panda 
Bhubaneswar, September 14, 2024: Celebrating 37 years of academic excellence, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) kicked off its 6th annual Business Excellence Summit on September 14-15, 2024, with the theme “Redefining Possibilities.” The prestigious event saw participation from renowned industry leaders, faculty, and students, emphasizing transformative innovation, leadership, and adaptability in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
The summit opened with a welcome address from Vice Chancellor Fr. Antony R. Uvari, S.J., who declared the summit officially open. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Siddhartha Gupta, President of Mercer and an esteemed XIMB alumnus. Gupta shared his insights on corporate capitalism, India’s low consumption rates, and the necessity of resilience and innovation in the face of challenges such as AI, COVID-19, and sustainability. He urged students to seize every opportunity and step up to challenges rather than shy away from them.
The second session, titled “Changing World of Business and How to Adapt to It,” featured key industry experts, including Mr. Subhankar Pattanayak of SAP, Mr. Rajen Mishra from Grant Thornton INDUS, and Mr. Amit Talgeri from Axis Bank. The speakers discussed technological advancements, the future of AI in organizations, and the critical skills needed for students to thrive in today’s corporate environment, such as data analytics and corporate etiquette.
In a group discussion moderated by Prof. Bhaskar Basu, the panelists delved into the future of work, responsible AI, and the shifting dynamics of business. The engaging Q&A sessions allowed students to interact with industry leaders on a wide array of topics, ranging from fintech regulations to AI’s impact on business operations.
The final session featured insightful discussions led by Ms. Sayantani Dutta of Bajaj Housing Finance, Ms. Ena Khurana of KiE Square Analytics, and Ms. Manmeet Sandhu of PhonePe. The speakers emphasized the importance of creating strong brands, customer satisfaction, and the value of personal development in the corporate world.
The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Soumya Sarkar, focusing on brand creation from both company and consumer perspectives. The summit concluded on a high note, leaving students and professionals alike inspired to redefine possibilities in their future endeavors.
