The MET Institute of PGDM successfully organised the International Research Conference on Sustainable Development & Inclusive Growth on 22nd November 2025, bringing together eminent leaders, academicians, researchers, and students for a day of meaningful academic engagement. The conference commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and Saraswati Vandana, creating a dignified and auspicious start to the event. This was followed by a formal felicitation ceremony led by CA. Dr. Das Shyamsundar, Director, MET Institute of PGDM, honouring distinguished guests whose expertise and industry experience enriched the conference. The dignitaries included Mr. Kush Giramkar, President – Operations, Procurement & Projects, GRP Ltd; Mr. Bhalchandra Patil, Vice President, Enviro Analysts & Engineers Pvt. Ltd; Sanjeeb Lahiri, CHRO, GRP Limited; Chetan More, Director, Kantar’s Global Delivery Centre; Dr. Anusha Kesarkar Gavankar, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation; Richa Vashishta, Founder, Leher Mental Health; Ratnaprabha Sable, Founder & MD, Vividhaataa; Shabana Upanal, Sr. Director – Global Learning, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX); Ms. Zenobia Dsouza, Head – L&D & Talent Management, Tata Chemicals; Vasudhaa Ahuja, ICF PCC Leadership Coach, Happy Turtling; Dr. Carolyn Bishop, President, Consortium for Global Education (CGE); Dr. Jeffrey Moore, Professor of Management, Anderson University – SC; and Dr. Asokan Vasudevan, Senior Lecturer, INTI International University, Malaysia.

A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion on “Diversity and Inclusion: Rethinking Business Strategies,” which brought together senior leaders from industry and academia. The panel featured Mr. Kush Giramkar; Mr. Bhalchandra Patil; Sanjeeb Lahiri; Chetan More; Dr. Anusha Kesarkar-Gavankar; Richa Vashishta; Ratnaprabha Sable; Shabana Upanal; Ms. Zenobia Dsouza; and Vasudhaa Ahuja, who shared in-depth perspectives on leadership, organisational culture, equitable practices, and the strategic importance of inclusivity in shaping future-ready organisations. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment that encouraged participants to engage with the speakers and explore practical insights applicable to contemporary business environments.

The Research Paper Presentation segment showcased scholarly contributions from researchers, faculty members, and PGDM students from MET, alongside participants from several reputed institutions. Presentations reflected academic rigour and practical relevance across themes related to sustainability, inclusive development, and emerging industry trends. The session was evaluated by an esteemed panel comprising Mr. Sandeep Ranade, AVP, Hansa Research; Dr. Rajiv Gatne, CEO & Director, Sunshine Healthcare; Dr. Vani Kamath, Professor, SIES School of Business; Dr. Siji V. Nambiar, Assistant Professor, D.Y. Patil School of Management; Dr. Gagandeep Kaur Nagra, Assistant Professor, D.Y. Patil University; Dr. Hitesh Suthar, Professor, Thakur Business School; Dr. Neetu Singhwal, Assistant Professor, Lala Lajpat Rai Institute of Management; and Dr. Shivprasad Murugan, Associate Professor, Chetana Institute of Management. Their insights added immense value to the academic discourse and enhanced the learning experience for participants.

The conference concluded with a prize distribution ceremony recognising exceptional research contributions. Awards were presented to Dr. Yogesh Dhanjani, MET Institute of Mass Media (Academician); Maitreyee Shetye, D.Y. Patil University (Academician); and student awardees Maitri Chheda, Arya Chande, and Pooja Raheja from IES Institute of Management, whose work demonstrated depth, originality, and scholarly excellence. The Valedictory Session was chaired by Dr. Hema Diwan, IIM Mumbai, who served as Guest of Honour and shared valuable insights on the relevance of sustainability in modern business practices, offering a thoughtful conclusion to the day’s proceedings.

This international conference reaffirmed the MET Institute of PGDM’s commitment to advancing research excellence, fostering global academic collaboration, and contributing meaningfully to conversations shaping a sustainable and inclusive future.

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