Interview Times 
In a remarkable convergence of academia, industry, and environmental stewardship, the School of Sustainability at XIM University, Odisha, orchestrated its 9th Annual Sustainability Conference from January 17 to 19, 2024. Under the theme, “Respecting and Caring for Life on Earth: Towards Sustainable Mining Practices,” the conference proved to be a dynamic platform for discussions, insights, and initiatives aimed at reshaping the landscape of mining towards a more sustainable future.
The inaugural day, hosted by Alumni International in collaboration with the Alumni Committee of GIM University, set the stage for a series of impactful events. Attendees, including faculty, students, and non-sustainability members, engaged in meaningful interactions with the Strategic Academic Advisory Board (SAAB), emphasizing the collaborative spirit embedded within the School of Sustainability.
Day 2 witnessed the inauguration of the Miyawaki Forest at XIM University, followed by thought-provoking discussions by industry experts, such as Prof. Dr. Sutappa Patti and Dr. Aditya Haldar. The Corporate Panel delved into restructuring the mining industry, while the Academic Panel explored metrics for measuring impact, both weaving a narrative of sustainable practices in mining.
The concluding day featured a field visit to Dietri Iron Ore Mines and Chromite Mines, providing students with valuable insights into on-ground mining practices. The presence of keynote speakers like Mr. Pankaj Satija of TATA Steel Mining Ltd. and Dr. T. Chand, President of Vedanta, added depth to the conference, solidifying its position as a catalyst for change in the realm of sustainable mining practices.
School of Sustainability, XIM University (New Campus), Odisha successfully organized the 9th Annual Sustainability Conference 2024 on the theme “Respecting and Caring for Life on Earth: Towards Sustainable Mining Practices” from 17 to 19 January 2024. 17th January 2024 – Day 1 School of Sustainability, GIM University (New Campus), Odisha successfully organized Ninth Annual Sustainability Conference 2024 titled ‘Respect and Care for Life on Earth’: Towards Sustainable Mining Practices from 17th to 19th January 2024. 17 January 2024 – The first day was launched by Alumni International in association with GIM University’s Alumni Committee, School of Sustainability. The students then interacted with the members of the Strategic Academic Advisory Board (SAAB).
All faculty, 16 members and non-sustainability members of the School of Sustainability were present in this meeting. 18th January 2024
Day 2 : The event began with the much awaited inauguration of the Miyawaki Forest of XIM University, Bhubaneswar (New Campus). The summit was inaugurated with a welcome note by Prof. Dr. Sutappa Patti, Dean, School of Sustainability, XIM University. After that Dr. Aditya Haldar, Mr. Pankaj Satija and Dr. T. Chand focused on the importance of sustainability in management education and how it is an integral part of every sector and industry. Speakers enthusiastically evoked the vision of “zero net mining,” which advocates for a future where mining is balanced .
This was followed by a panel discussion The themes for the panel discussion are as follows: Content: • Corporate Panel – Restructuring of Mining Industry • Building value chains with resource efficiency and professional economies • Academic Panel- Measure impact The corporate panel explored ways to transform the mining industry by emphasizing resource efficiency and the circular economy, minimizing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices in the value chain. The academic panel provides a comprehensive perspective on ensuring responsible mining practices that respect life on land by exploring the role of research and academia in measuring and advancing sustainability metrics. Together, these discussions aimed to drive a paradigm shift towards a sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to mining.
The next event, “Story of the Wild”, featured speakers sharing their in-depth interviews with India’s wildlife and providing a unique insight into the fascinating tapestry of our country’s diverse ecosystems. This was followed by a “research colloquium” consisting of poster presentations and oral presentations on sustainable mining issues. The conference concluded with a cultural programme 19th January 2024
Day 3 : The conference concluded with a field visit to Dietri Iron Ore Mines and Chromite Mines and a visit to the Odisha Conclave organized at Bhubaneswar for some students. Informative information was provided by representatives of OMC during the mine visit. The field visit also included a Climate Court session, which encouraged deliberation and discussion on important issues related to the mining industry and the environment.
Speaker:
Keynote Speaker:
• Managing Director Mr. Pankaj Satija TATA Steel Mining Ltd.
• Dr. T. Chand, President, Vedanta
Corporate Panel Discussion:
• Moderator: Global Reporting Initiative, Director Dr. Aditi Haldar.
• Dr. Satyajit Dwivedi, Regional Director, S
• Mr. Debraj Tiwari, Head Planning, Tata Steel
• Mr. Jitendra Gangas, Associate Director – CSR, LTIMindtree
• Mr. Ashutosh Saha, Sustainability Manager, Hindalco
Academic Panel Discussion:
• Moderator: Mr. Digivijay Singh Veest, Air Quality Analyst and Field Coordinator, United Nations Environment Programme.
• Prof. Khanindra Pathak, Dean (Infrastructure), IIT Kharagpur
• Dr. Sanka Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, KIIT Bhubaneswar
• Prof. Roopa Madhav, Professor, NLU Delhi
• UN Environment Programme, Air Quality Analyst Prof. Digijoy Singh Bhist
• Mr. Vivek Chaudhary, Scientist, CEMDE Delhi University
• Sachida Nanda Sahu, Principal Scientist, CSIR
The Wilder’s Tale:
• Dr. Gowri Shankar Pogiri, | KCRE & Co-Founder Kalinga Foundation
• Mr. Sumant Rajguru, Managing Director, Chitraka Earthmovers and Builders Pvt.
