Campus News

Winter School Program at SDMIMD, Mysuru

Mysuru, January 28, 2026: The Winter School Program organised by the Business Analytics Institute (BAI), France, commenced today at SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru. The programme, themed “Agentic Systems and the Transformation of Work,” will be held from January 28 to February 7, 2026.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Lee Schlenker, Head of BAI, highlighted India’s optimistic growth trajectory and global expectations, noting BAI’s choice of SDMIMD in recognition of the visionary initiatives of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, Chairman of SDM Trusts.

Dr. Schlenker also emphasised the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and the importance of understanding evolving human roles, with the programme featuring expert lectures, workshops, discussions, and field visits.

Addressing the participants, Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, spoke on the application of AI across key sectors in India and highlighted opportunities for India–Europe collaboration. He also introduced the mission and initiatives of SDM Trusts.

Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Dean–Academics, SDMIMD, delivered the introductory remarks and outlined the collaboration between BAI and SDMIMD. He will also conduct a specialised workshop on the development of Agentic AI systems during the programme.

77th Republic Day Celebration

The 77th Republic Day was celebrated with pride and patriotic fervour at SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, on January 26, 2026.

The national flag was hoisted by Jinesh N., Assistant Administrative Officer, marking the formal commencement of the celebrations. Addressing the students, he reflected on the formation of the Indian Constitution and emphasised the role of values in shaping character and responsible citizenship, urging students to actively contribute to nation-building.

He noted that Republic Day should go beyond ceremonial observance and called upon everyone to work towards a stronger, cleaner, educated, and more inclusive India.

Cultural programmes by the Kalanubhava team added vibrancy to the event, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural heritage through music and dance.

The celebration was graced by S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, along with faculty and staff members.

SDMIMD Celebrates National Startup Day: Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets

SDMIMD goes beyond teaching business models and entrepreneurial theories—it actively shapes entrepreneurial mindsets and grooms future founders with excellence. Through sustained efforts, the Institute Entrepreneurship Committee fosters innovation, supports aspiring entrepreneurs, and celebrates the growing startup ecosystem.

Marking National Startup Day, the Institute Entrepreneurship Committee, under the aegis of the SDMIMD StartUp Lab, organized a vibrant celebration on January 16, 2026, aimed at positioning entrepreneurship as a natural and logical career pathway. Moving beyond classrooms, the Institute provided a dynamic platform where students ignited their entrepreneurial spirit by pitching innovative business ideas.

The event was graced by Mr. Srinivas Varadarajan, CEO, VIGYANLABS, Mysuru, as the Chief Guest. Students showcased a wide spectrum of creative start-up ideas, problem–solution frameworks, and compelling case studies before an expert panel—reflecting the enthusiasm, originality, and confidence of emerging business leaders. The expert panel comprised our proud alumni Mr. Vipin Prasad, Business Growth & Strategy Expert and Founder, Joining Dots Consulting Private Limited, and Mr. Nandan Jog, Associate Consultant, Ipsos Strategy3.

The programme was attended by Lt Col Prasad S N, Ph.D., Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru; Dr. Keerthan Raj, Associate Professor – Marketing; Dr. Mohamed Minhaj, Dean – Academics and Professor – Systems, along with other faculty members, making the celebration a true testament to SDMIMD’s commitment to nurturing innovation-driven leadership.

SDMIMD Alumni Awards – Our Alumni, Our Enduring Strength

Alumni are the true pillars of any institution. They carry forward its values, shape its reputation, and serve as living embodiments of its legacy. As brand ambassadors in every sense, their journeys, achievements, and impact define the institution far beyond the campus.

SDMIMD, Mysuru is proud to be strengthened by an illustrious alumni community—individuals who inspired us during their time as students and continue to make us proud through their exceptional professional accomplishments and meaningful contributions to society. Honouring their success is not merely a celebration; it is a tribute to excellence, perseverance, and purpose.

During Pratigam–2026, the alumni meet held recently at SDMIMD, Mysuru, the Institute proudly recognised distinguished alumni for their outstanding professional excellence and societal impact.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients of Pratigam–2026:

  • Mr. Santosh Machangada (Batch 1997) – SDMIMD Award for Excellence in Marketing

  • Mr. Harinath Gopalaswamy G (Batch 1996) – SDMIMD Award for Excellence in Finance

  • Mr. Abhijith M K (Batch 1999) – SDMIMD Award for Excellence in IT

  • Mr. Anand Patil (Batch 2000) – SDMIMD Entrepreneur of the Year Award

  • Ms. Shami Mohan (Batch 2002) – SDMIMD Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

  • Mr. Hiranmay Mallick (Batch 2008) – SDMIMD Startup Founders Award

  • Dr. Dushyant Prasad (Batch 2010) – SDMIMD Social Impact Award – Male

  • Ms. Rashmi Vikram (Batch 2001) – SDMIMD Distinguished Alumnus Award

Pratigam 2026

Parting is inevitable in the journey of life—but returning, reconnecting, and reliving cherished memories is its greatest gift. Reunions remind us of who we once were, strengthen bonds that time can never fade, and rekindle hopes that guide us forward with renewed purpose.

SDM Institute for Management Development, Mysuru experienced one such profoundly moving moment during Pratigam 2026, the recent alumni meet held on campus. The corridors once again echoed with laughter, shared stories, golden memories, and reflections of journeys that began within these very walls. Every corner of the campus came alive with nostalgia, warmth, and pride.

It was a deeply proud moment for SDMIMD to witness its former students—once young dreamers—now standing tall as accomplished professionals, visionary leaders, and change-makers across industries. Their achievements, values, and leadership bring enduring glory to the institution that shaped their beginnings.

Pratigam 2026 was not just a reunion; it was a celebration of relationships, growth, and a shared legacy—an unforgettable reminder that while time may take us forward, the spirit of SDMIMD forever keeps us connected.

Vittaksha 2026

Curious minds, intense competition, moments of nail-biting anticipation, and unwavering perseverance for success—Vittaksha–2026 at SDMIMD was a true celebration of intellect and ambition.

The Finacle – the Finance and Economics Club of SDMIMD, Mysuru, successfully hosted Vittaksha–2026, a vibrant intercollegiate finance event held on January 5, 2026, bringing together young financial minds on a single, dynamic platform. Designed with precision and creativity, the event reflected the ingenuity, dedication, and tireless efforts of the Finacle team members, who worked meticulously to ensure a seamless and enriching experience.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from 37 teams representing colleges across Bengaluru, Mysuru, Coimbatore, and Mangaluru, creating an atmosphere charged with competition, collaboration, and intellectual rigour. Vittaksha–2026 emerged as a grand success—not only in terms of participation but also in the quality of engagement and execution—standing as a testament to the Finacle Committee’s consistent commitment to excellence in event organization and academic enrichment.

SDMIMD Shines at Ushus 2025 – Inter-College Management Competition

Students of SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) delivered an outstanding performance at Ushus 2025, the Inter-College Management Competition hosted by Christ University. Competing against top institutions, SDMIMD teams demonstrated exceptional strategic thinking, leadership, and managerial acumen, securing multiple podium finishes across events.

Winners

  • HR Event: Neha S Walishettar, Rachana Satish T S, Shameera I

  • Best Management Team: Mithra Gopikannan, Pareekshith Gokhale, Priyanka A, Shivanand R P

  • Economics & Policy: Rohan Humbe, Sathvik S Kota, Sanskar Sneh

Runners-Up

  • Global Online Event: Sandhya Lakshmi Narayanan, Rakshitha Shetty

2nd Runners-Up

  • Operations Event: Srikanth V, Sahana Sajjan, Suba K

  • Apex Strategy: Shashank Prasad, Nikhil Gowda, Praneeth Jain

This remarkable achievement reflects the students’ teamwork, preparation, resilience, and commitment to excellence—reinforcing SDMIMD’s strong presence on the national competitive stage.

Experiential Learning in Action: SDMIMD Students Gain Industry Insights at Berger Paints India

At SDMIMD, experiential learning is integral to bridging classroom concepts with industry practice. As part of the Personal Selling Techniques course, students undertook an industry visit to Berger Paints India to gain hands-on exposure to real-world sales operations.

The visit featured an interactive session with Praveen Shetty, Divisional Sales Manager, and Chandan S. N., Area Sales Manager (Mysuru). Students gained insights into personal selling practices, including retailer onboarding, negotiations, objection handling, sales closure, trade schemes, incentives, sales planning, and performance metrics. The session also covered Oracle-based sales systems, mobile sales applications, product demonstrations, and customer engagement practices.

Facilitated by Venkatesh Goudar, Faculty – Marketing, the visit significantly enhanced students’ understanding of applied selling concepts. SDMIMD thanks the Berger Paints leadership team for their valuable support and engagement.

Niveus Solutions CEO Suyog Shetty discusses agentic AI and future enterprises

Mr. Suyog Shetty, CEO of Niveus Solutions, addressed students and professionals in a session focused on Agentic AI, highlighting the growing role of autonomous AI agents in enterprise environments. He explained how agentic systems—capable of reasoning, planning, and executing tasks independently—are redefining business workflows, decision-making processes, and productivity across industries.
 
Drawing from his experience across India’s technology ecosystem, Shetty discussed how organisations are increasingly moving beyond traditional automation towards intelligent systems that can adapt to dynamic business requirements. He noted that Agentic AI holds significant potential in areas such as cloud operations, analytics, customer engagement,and large-scale enterprise transformation.
 
Shetty is also the Secretary of TiE Mangalore and brings over two decades of industry experience, having previously worked with Infosys and Wipro in leadership and technology roles. He currently leads Niveus Solutions, a prominent global Google Cloud consulting firm and a strategic partner of Google Cloud. Niveus Solutions is also part of NTT DATA, strengthening its position in delivering large-scale cloud and AI-driven digital transformation services worldwide.
 
The session offered insights into how agentic AI is expected to shape the future of work, enterprise intelligence, and India’s evolving digital economy.

13th International Conference on HR 5.0: The Human-Centric Future of Work at SDMIMD

SDMIMD successfully hosted the 13th International Conference on HR 5.0 – The Human-Centric Future of Work, bringing together academicians, industry leaders, HR professionals, and researchers to deliberate on the evolving role of HR in a technology-driven world.
 
The conference opened with introductory remarks by Dr. (Lt. Col.) S. N. Prasad, Director, SDMIMD, who highlighted contemporary HR challenges and emerging trends. Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, Dean – International Relations and Conference Chair, introduced the central theme, describing HR 5.0 as a progressive integration of advanced technologies such as AI, automation, and data analytics with core human values of empathy and inclusivity.
 
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kiranpreet Kaur, Chief of People, CPM India, who emphasised the rapid transformation of HR functions in the post-COVID era and underscored the importance of ethical and effective adoption of technology. The inaugural session also featured a special address by Mr. Rajesh Jha, Country Sustainability Manager, ABB India, who highlighted HR’s strategic role in driving sustainability, employee wellness, and responsible organisational practices.
 
A major highlight of the conference was the alumni panel discussion, featuring distinguished SDMIMD alumni from Unisys India, Diligent Global India, and Oracle India, who shared valuable professional insights with participants. The valedictory ceremony was graced by Mr. Jahangir Shaikh, Director – HRBP, Zepto, as the Chief Guest. The conference also included technical sessions by eminent speakers from IIM Raipur and Biocon Biologics, along with a panel discussion on “Leveraging Technology for Human-Centricity at Work,” led by senior industry leaders.
 
With participation from over 100 delegates and the presentation of more than 70 research papers, the conference provided a vibrant platform for in-depth discussions on shaping future-ready, human-centric workplaces.