The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu concluded its flagship HR Conclave 8.0 with a grand valedictory ceremony at the Mandapam Auditorium Jagti Campus on 31st Aug 2025. The valedictory ceremony was graced by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. Building on the theme “People-First Organizations: Culture, Capability & Change”, the sessions provided deep insights into redefining performance, building hybrid workplace cultures, leveraging talent marketplaces, and reskilling at scale. 

One of the most memorable moments of the valedictory ceremony was the pre-launch of the book “Shunya: The Silent Power Behind Purposeful Leadership” by Dr. Jia Koundal, Group Head, Panasonic India. The unveiling was gracefully done by Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, on this momentous occasion. The occasion symbolized the true spirit of collaboration between industry and academia, exemplifying IIM Jammu’s commitment to nurturing purposeful leadership, bridging thought with practice, and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Present on the occasion were Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu; Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu; Dr. Mahesh Gadekar, Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu; and Prof. Sanjay Gupta, Co-Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu.

In his valedictory address, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, credited the Placement Committee, Industry Interaction Cell, and Placement Chairpersons and Co-Chairperson for the resounding success of HR Conclave 8.0. He emphasized that such platforms foster dialogue, collaboration, and mutual learning between academia and industry. Highlighting, IIM Jammu’s strong industry integration, he shared that 20% of classes will now be taught by industry experts to bridge theory with practice. He invited leaders to contribute through research collaborations, mentoring, and participation in Advisory Boards that shape industry-relevant curricula. He also underscored IIM Jammu’s acclaimed Ph.D. program for working professionals, noting academia as a noble second career with immense scope.

He stressed mentorship as a cornerstone of IIM Jammu’s ecosystem, with students guided by faculty, alumni, and industry experts. He urged industry leaders to engage in Summer Internship presentations, Roundtable Conferences across India, and campus interactions to further enrich learning. Reaffirming that IIM Jammu is accountable to the nation, he invited stakeholders to visit Jammu and Kashmir and collaborate in nurturing future CEOs and leaders. He expressed gratitude to participants and partners, reiterating that only through collective efforts of academia and industry can a stronger ecosystem for tomorrow’s leaders be built.

Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu, remarked that the valedictory is not an end but a new beginning. He stressed the importance of carrying the key takeaways from the conclave into classrooms to enrich learning outcomes through critical questioning and deliberation. Highlighting HR Conclave as a flagship event, he noted that IIM Jammu is working closely with industry to make students industry ready. He expressed satisfaction with the positive feedback received and emphasized that the institute’s efforts are dedicated to the success of students, organizations, the nation, and society at large.

Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, noted that the conclave witnessed powerful and insightful sessions that brought together diverse perspectives. He emphasized that these conversations, viewed from a future-oriented lens, reflect IIM Jammu’s commitment to nurturing business leadership and building people-centric organizations. He added that the shared insights will serve as pillars for driving change towards more human-centric workplaces.

Dr. Mahesh Gadekar, Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu, thanked the panelists and keynote speakers for sharing their expertise with the students. He emphasized that the conclave has provided valuable exposure to emerging HR trends and practices.

Prof. Sanjay Gupta presented the two-day report of HR Conclave 8.0, highlighting its seven panel discussions, two keynote sessions, and experiential learning formats. He emphasized key takeaways such as balancing degree-based and skill-based learning, fostering inclusivity, rewarding performance, and addressing emerging business imperatives to shape future workplaces.

In his inspiring address, Mr. Unmesh Pawar, Chief People Officer - South Asia, Dentsu International urged participants to shift their focus from chasing high CTCs to building careers anchored in continuous learning and meaningful impact. Drawing from his rich professional experience, he emphasized that individuals who prioritize growth and learning over immediate pay often outpace others in the long run, eventually rising to leadership roles with purpose and depth. He conveyed a powerful message that it is not the offer letter that defines a career, but the journey of learning, accountability, and growth that follows.

The day began with an engaging keynote, followed by the fourth panel, “Rethinking Performance Management for the Modern Workforce”, moderated by Dr. Vinod Durge, Chairperson Alumni Relations, IIM Jammu and co-moderated by Dr. Baljeet Singh, Co-Chairperson Placements, IIM Jammu. Panelists included Ms. Sonam Gupta, Associate VP, Accenture; Ms. Sirisha Kommireddi, Associate VP and Global Head - Talent Development, Cigniti Technologies; Mr. Chalapathy Meka Venkata, Senior Director - HR and Head - Hyderabad Talent Management; Mr. Deepak Davey, Associate Director-Total Rewards- Apotex India; Mr. Sandeep Singh Sasan, HRO Domestic, International & Australia Division HR Coordinator, DRAIPL. The discussion emphasized the shift from traditional annual reviews to continuous, skills-driven, and growth-focused performance systems. Panelists highlighted the importance of ownership, two-way feedback, development-focused KPIs, instant recognition, and purpose-driven leadership in shaping future-ready organizations. The session concluded with the strong message that while degrees may open doors, it is skills, adaptability, mindset, and agility that build sustainable and impactful careers.

The fifth panel discussion at HR Conclave 8.0 featured an engaging session on “Talent Without Borders: Building Culture in a Hybrid, Global Workforce.” The session was moderated by Dr. Rashmi Ranjan Parida, Chairperson, MBA Healthcare, IIM Jammu and co-moderated by Dr. Shreya Rastogi, Assistant Professor, IIM Jammu. The panel brought together distinguished leaders including Mr. Daksh Kumar Anand, HRBP + International HR, Adani Ports and SEZ; Mr. Zeeshan Mallick, Senior Talent Partner-APAC, GoDaddy; Mr. Suman Arunagiri, VP-HR, Sagility; Mr. Uday Kanth G, Senior Manager-HR, Trinity Life Sciences; Mr. Subhanish Malhotra, Vice President-HR, Welspun World; Mr. Bhavendra Kumar Jha, Human Capital Specialist, Genpact; and Ms. Monika Garg, Associate Director – Global HR Operations Support, Fresenius Medical Care. The discussion focused on hybrid workspaces, cultural evolution, and talent development, with speakers emphasizing the importance of trust, goal clarity, and cultural alignment in today’s workplaces. They also addressed generational diversity and the challenges of remote collaboration, sharing how trust, intentionality, and vision enable teams to thrive across time zones. The session concluded with the powerful insight that hybrid is not just possible, it is transformational.

The sixth panel, “Building Capability Through Internal Talent Marketplaces,” moderated by Prof. P. P. Maheshwari, Professor of Practice, IIM Jammu, and co-moderated by Dr. Sarbjit Singh, Chairperson Admissions, IIM Jammu, featured industry leaders from Narayana Health, Merino Group, Ams OSRAM, Brillio, and Spark Minda. The session explored how internal talent marketplaces can unlock hidden potential and drive organizational agility. Panelists emphasized that future-ready organizations must focus on specialized skill-building, cross-skilling, upskilling, and reskilling to reduce attrition and enhance employer branding. They highlighted the need for personalized career paths, adaptability, and innovation, concluding that organizations of the future will thrive not by external hiring alone but by cultivating internal talent as brand ambassadors and enablers of sustainable growth.

The seventh and final panel, Reskilling at Scale: Aligning L&D with Organizational Agility, was moderated by Prof. Sanjeev Pathak, Professor of Practice, IIM Jammu, with Dr. Shivani Sachdev, Assistant Professor, IIM Jammu, as co-moderator. The panel featured Ms. Arpana Mutt, Head HR, Info Gain; Mr. Misal, TA Head, KPMG; Dr. Jia Koundal, Group Head, Panasonic India; Mr. Kundan Kishore, CHRO, Indi Grid; Mr. Ashish Banka, Head – Human Capital & Talent Strategy, Cradlewise; and Mr. Pradeep Kumar, Clinical Administrator, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. The discussion emphasized that reskilling is no longer optional but a strategic imperative. Panelists highlighted the need to align L&D with business goals, embed learning into daily work, leverage gamification, and foster a culture of continuous upskilling. They noted that while degrees may open doors, it is continuous learning that sustains growth. Agility, adaptability, and cross-functional reskilling were identified as key to building future-ready organizations, with insights spanning industries from startups to healthcare.

The event culminated with a grand valedictory session, leaving participants enriched with transformative insights and strengthened academia–industry collaborations, reinforcing IIM Jammu’s commitment to shaping the future of management and leadership.