Campus News

SDMIMD, in partnership with Intel’s Unnati Program, inaugurates advanced AI-lab

Shri D. Surendra Kumar, Vice President of SDM Trust, formally inaugurated a new high-end laboratory at SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, marking a significant step in the institution’s pursuit of technological excellence.
 
The facility is the result of a strategic partnership between SDMIMD and Intel, under Intel’s Unnati Program. The lab is built on Intel’s Intelligent Desktop Virtualization (IDV) platform, combining high-performance desktop virtualization with a robust server backbone engineered to support data-intensive artificial intelligence workloads.
 
According to SDMIMD, the new infrastructure ensures that students can leverage advanced compute resources for research and projects, particularly in AI and related emerging domains. In addition to the hardware, SDMIMD gains access to Intel’s educational materials and live training sessions conducted by Intel executives, offering students direct exposure to industry perspectives and evolving technologies.
 
Speaking at the inauguration, Shri Kumar lauded the collaboration, stating that the lab would “equip students with cutting-edge infrastructure and exposure” in preparation for future challenges. Institution leaders characterized the launch as a milestone in SDMIMD’s mission to stay at the forefront of technology and pedagogy.
 
The event drew attendees from SDMIMD faculty and administration and related stakeholders, celebrating what the institute calls a new era in academic infrastructure and industry alignment.

Hands-on Session on NSE SMART Trading Simulator Enhances Students’ Market Learning

SDMIMD, Mysuru, continues to bridge classroom learning with practical exposure through initiatives that enhance professional competence. A hands-on session on the NSE SMART Trading Simulator (NSMART) was recently conducted by Mr. Vijaya Raghavan from the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
 
The NSMART platform offers a virtual trading experience, enabling students to practice market strategies and understand real-time trading dynamics without financial risk. This session helped students deepen their knowledge of capital markets and develop vital practical skills for their future careers.

Third International Leadership Conference

SDMIMD, Mysuru, successfully hosted the 3rd International Leadership Conference on the theme “Leading in a Disrupted World: Reimagining Leadership for Complexity, Sustainability, and Human-Centric Innovation.” This prestigious event was organized in collaboration with the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) – SDMIMD Centre for Management Excellence.
 
The conference was inaugurated with a keynote address by Ms. Susheema V, Co-Founder & JMD, SYConE CPMC Pvt. Ltd., who spoke on “From Leadership to Exponential Futures.” In her insightful talk, she emphasized the impact of the changing geopolitical landscape, the disruptions shaping today’s business environment, and the need to redefine business strategies in an increasingly competitive world. She highlighted the importance of adopting an exponential mindset for leaders in the dynamic global context.
 
While reimagining leadership, Ms. Susheema underlined the necessity for leaders to design innovative projects and build futuristic development models. She also stressed that true leadership lies in inspiring and motivating people through impactful initiatives.
 
Dr. (Lt Col) Prasad S. N., Director, SDMIMD, Mysuru, delivered the inaugural address, focusing on the essence of great leadership. He stated that effective leadership is about taking responsibility and driving meaningful change within organizations and society.
 
Dr. L. Gandhi, Conference Chair and Associate Professor – OB & HRM, SDMIMD, provided a detailed conference briefing and outlined its objectives.
 
A highlight of the event was a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of Technology.” Distinguished industry leaders shared valuable perspectives on balancing technological advancement with human-centric values in leadership. 
 
The conference also brought together leading experts, academicians, and industry professionals who presented their research, innovative ideas, and perspectives, making the event a rich platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative learning.

Mega Blood Donation Drive at SDMIMD

Akhil Bharath Terapanth Yuvak Parishad, in collaboration with SDMIMD, Mysuru, Rotary Club Mysuru, and JCI Mysuru Royal City, organized Raktadan Amrit Mahotsava 2.0—a mega blood donation camp—at the SDMIMD campus on September 17, 2025.
 
Mr. Mahesh Shenoy, Managing Director of Kamakshi Hospital and Horizon Estate & Developers, was the Chief Guest for the event. In his address, he said, “Blood donation camps foster empathy towards society and bring people together. Management students play a crucial role in such initiatives, and it is commendable that SDMIMD has a strong team of volunteers managing this entire event.”
 
Dr. (Lt. Col.) Prasad S. N., Director of SDMIMD, Mysuru, was the Guest of Honour. He remarked, “SDM has always believed in inculcating values and ethics among students. SDMIMD actively participates in all blood donation drives and consistently contributes a significant volume of blood.” He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that the collected blood is preserved and utilized effectively.
 
The event witnessed the participation of officials from all the organizing institutions, along with enthusiastic student volunteers from SDMIMD.

Guest Session on Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining

The ESG Committee organized a guest session on Industrial Relations and Collective Bargaining on 17th September 2025, delivered by Mr. Kiran Kumar Shetty, HR Manager at ITC.
 
Mr. Shetty explained the core concepts of industrial relations and collective bargaining in an engaging manner, drawing parallels with stories from the Mahabharata to illustrate negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus-building. He emphasized the role of trade unions in safeguarding employee interests and promoting healthy employer–employee relations.
 
He also shared insights into ITC’s growth journey (2002–2023) and its manufacturing presence across India, underscoring the strong link between industrial harmony and organizational success.
 
The session proved to be highly insightful, as it bridged theoretical knowledge with practical applications and enriched the students’ understanding of workplace relations and collective bargaining.

A session on Cyber Security

SDMIMD hosted a special guest lecture on Cybersecurity at its campus. The session was delivered by Dr. Ravichandra Kulkarni, Dean of Research and Development and Head of the Department of Cybersecurity at MIT Mysuru.
 
The lecture primarily focused on cybersecurity issues in business processes. Dr. Kulkarni highlighted the various types of cybersecurity threats and explained the precautionary measures organizations must adopt to safeguard themselves.
 
“Awareness of cybersecurity is the first step in preventing cyber scams. Understanding different types of threats and following best security practices can significantly reduce the risk of cybercrimes,” he emphasized.
 
He also presented statistics on cyber threats, scams, and victims, pointing out that these crimes are driven by multiple motives. Addressing the challenges of the digital era, Dr. Kulkarni noted that evolving technologies and the growing remote work culture have intensified risks, making the role of cyber law enforcement even more critical.
 
However, he suggested that proper policy development, robust risk management, and effective incident response planning can help organizations build stronger and more secure systems.

SDMIMD Evaluates and Reports the Impact of JK Tyre’s CSR Projects

As part of a recent corporate engagement, SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, undertook a comprehensive evaluation of several community-oriented projects initiated by JK Tyre’s Mysuru units. The evaluation culminated in a detailed report, which has been submitted to the senior management of JK Tyre.
 
The assessment focused on JK Tyre’s CSR interventions across key verticals—livelihood enhancement, school education, and water & lake conservation. The projects were found to generate multi-dimensional outcomes in the short term, with significant long-term impacts on the communities involved. The initiatives were observed to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic and environmental well-being of grassroots populations.
 
The report meticulously analyzed the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of these initiatives. The findings indicate that JK Tyre’s CSR projects not only align with benchmark standards but also deliver high social returns on investments made by the company. The report also presents action plans for future initiatives and offers a strategic roadmap for continued and enhanced impact.
 
The evaluation and report preparation was led by Dr. B. Venkatraja, Associate Professor of Economics at SDMIMD, as the Principal Investigator, in collaboration with Dr. M. Indira, Professor of Economics (Retired), University of Mysore. Mr. Venkatesh Goudar and Mr. Lohit R Patil of SDMIMD supported the team as Research Associates. 
 
The report was handed over by Dr. B Venkatraja, the project lead to Mr. Eshawar Rao, Vice President, JK Tyres in the presence of senior functionaries of JK Tyre in an event held recently at JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, Mysore unit.   

Young Indians-CII Hosts Mysuru Entrepreneurship Habba 2025

Young Indians – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized the Mysuru Entrepreneurship Habba at SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) on September 12, 2025. The primary objective of the event was to transform Mysuru into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship.
 
The inaugural session brought together eminent industry leaders who have achieved significant milestones in their entrepreneurial journeys. Nagaraj Gargeshwari, Chairperson of CII Mysuru and President & Whole-time Director of Automotive Axles Limited, addressed the gathering and spoke about how entrepreneurial journeys begin. “Necessity is the mother of invention. An entrepreneur identifies the needs of society and develops products accordingly. However, to be a successful entrepreneur, business acumen, financial knowledge, and the ability to take risks are very important,” he explained.
 
Savita Mallappa, CEO of rProcess, Mysuru, shared insights from her entrepreneurial career. She emphasized that no one is a born entrepreneur and that success requires consistent effort. “To start any new venture, purpose, passion, and perseverance are crucial,” she said.
 
Sam Cherian, Former Chairperson of CII and Founder of Schevaran Laboratories Private Limited, elaborated on the essential qualities of an entrepreneur. “Starting a new business requires courage and caution. An entrepreneur must take full responsibility for their decisions. Failures are common in entrepreneurial journeys, but having the right mindset is critical,” he stated.
 
Mr. Utsav Agarwal, Vice Chairperson of CII and Director at Bhoruka Fabcons Private Limited, shared his experiences and the challenges he faced as an entrepreneur. “An aspiring entrepreneur should never hesitate. Building connections with successful people can change the game at any time. In the initial days, your work may go unrecognized, but patience and perseverance are essential throughout the journey,” he advised.
 
Dr. (Lt Col) Prasad S. N., Director of SDMIMD, analyzed the possible reasons for entrepreneurial failure. He highlighted that the inability to manage people, finances, and markets often leads to setbacks. “Remaining within one’s comfort zone can also hinder entrepreneurial ideas,” he added.
 
The Mysuru Entrepreneurship Habba featured a series of engaging sessions, including masterclasses on unlocking grants, personal branding, panel discussions, fireside chats, and thought-provoking talks by industry leaders.
 
Another highlight of the event was Bharath Pitchathon 4.0 – Mysuru Edition, an investor pitching session, where aspiring entrepreneurs and young business leaders presented their ideas to potential investors.

Workshop on the Craft of Case Writing: From Idea to Impact

SDMIMD organized a one-day workshop on “The Craft of Case Writing: From Idea to Impact” on August 29, 2025. The session was facilitated by Dr. K. Riyazahmed, Associate Professor of Finance at SDMIMD.
 
The workshop was designed to provide participants with hands-on experience in the complete process of case study development, right from idea generation to preparing a solid first draft. It combined key methodological foundations with practical exercises, enabling participants to transform their ideas into compelling and well-structured case drafts.
 
Participants also gained valuable insights into the finer aspects of case crafting, particularly the requirements and standards for acceptance by reputed international publishers such as Ivey Publishing, Emerald, and SAGE. The workshop attracted over 20 participants, including academicians, research scholars, and field experts from across the country.

CFTRI–SDMIMD Partnership Kicks Off Soft Skills & Humanities Training

The Soft Skills and Humanities (SSH) course for the students of the Master of Science in Food Technology program at CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), designed and delivered by SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysuru, commenced on 25th August 2025.
 
Representatives from both SDMIMD and CSIR–CFTRI were present.
 
The course is designed to enhance professional competencies, communication skills, and workplace readiness among food technology students, thereby bridging the gap between technical expertise and managerial effectiveness.