SPJIMR Hosts TaSIC 2025 Sparks Dialogue on Wise Innovation
Mumbai, February 24, 2025: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, successfully concluded the inaugural international Technology and Societal Impact Conference (TaSIC) on February 21, 2025 at its Mumbai campus.
TaSIC 2025 featured multiple tracks, closed-door sessions, and an inclusive approach that engaged MBA students—a rarity in academic conferences—with the aim to redefine the discourse around responsible and inclusive innovation. Multiple stakeholders—leading global scholars, chief innovation officers, CSR officers, public policy experts, and student innovators—engaged in discussions on sustainable finance, responsible technology, and ethical consumer behaviour in an attempt to sensitise managerial talent to consider technology’s broader consequences before implementation.
Advancing ‘wise innovation’
Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, underscored the critical role of academic institutions in fostering discussions on technology’s broader societal implications. He stated, “It is our hope that world-class research will emerge from the intersection of innovation and societal impact. We want our students to graduate with an intellectual and ethical spark—a point of view that truly matters. Conferences like TaSIC are essential in integrating these dimensions to promote socially conscious innovations.”
The conference’s plenary featured integrative talks —
- Prof. Ramayya Krishnan, Dean, Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University, discussed the policy implications of AI and emerging technologies.
- Prof. Michael Luchs, J.S. Mack Professor, Chair of Marketing Department, Raymond A. Mason School of Business, William & Mary, examined consumer behaviour around ‘wise consumption’ and its role in shaping responsible consumption.
- Prof. Youngjin Yoo, Associate Dean, Research and Faculty, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, explored the evolving digital landscape and its impact on innovation.
- Prof. João Pinto, Dean, Católica Porto Business School, Executive Committee Member, Catholic University of Portugal, and CEGE Co-Leader, Innovation in Sustainability and Regeneration (INSURE) Hub, highlighted the importance of sustainable finance and how public-private financing partnerships and structures can spur the right kinds of innovation and create long-term economic value for companies and shareholders.
Prof. Yoo highlighted the necessity of such conferences, and noted, “The rapid pace of technological advancement necessitates platforms where academia, industry, and policymakers can collaboratively examine both the promises and challenges posed by these innovations. TaSIC serves as a vital forum for these critical conversations.”
Inspiring future leaders through innovation and insight
TaSIC 2025 also featured an ‘Academic Track’ with paper and poster presentations on themes related to technology and societal impact. The Track received nearly 60 submissions on themes such as Technology and Consumer, Technology and Policy, Technology and Firms, and Technology and Community.
Other breakout sessions included a Think Tank on leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for value creation and societal benefit, a dedicated ‘Meet the Editors’ session for those interested in academic publishing and research, and the Wise Innovation Awards where student teams were evaluated and recognised for their presentations on identifying innovations based on impact, feasibility, and long-term viability.
Manoj Mohan, Executive Director, SPJIMR WISE Tech, said, “TaSIC 2025 addressed a critical gap in academia—examining technology’s impact through the lens of ‘wise Innovation’ that is mindful and inclusive of society’s different needs. In a landscape crowded with conferences, we set out to create South Asia’s definitive platform where deep thinkers, industry leaders, and scholars converged to explore how innovations can have a positive effect on the planet and its people.”
TaSIC 2025 marked a significant step in establishing South Asia’s pre-eminent forum for discussions on innovation and societal impact, and SPJIMR is committed to driving and expanding TaSIC’s influence in the coming years.
SPJIMR’s FPM Granted PhD Equivalence Recognition
Mumbai, February 06, 2025: In a significant achievement, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research’s (SPJIMR) Fellow Programme in Management (FPM) has been officially recognised as equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from an Indian university by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
On the recognition, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “The AIU recognition serves as an affirmation of the academic rigour, research excellence, and institutional credibility that SPJIMR has collectively nurtured over the years. It reinforces our commitment to advancing high-quality, impactful research that enhances the value of our scholars’ contribution to the management field, bridging academia and industry.”
Since 2016, SPJIMR’s FPM programme has consistently evolved, benchmarking itself against the best global research programmes. The curriculum integrates rigorous research training, industry engagement, and academic mentorship, equipping scholars to contribute meaningfully to management research and education. Currently, the programme has 29 active scholars, including 27 actively enrolled and two awaiting convocation. Additionally, five scholars have already been conferred their degrees in previous years, and this year, two scholars who have defended their thesis proposals are set to receive their degrees in May.
Prof. Snehal Shah, Associate Dean, Academics and Research, expressed her gratitude to all involved in making the recognition a reality and said, “With the AIU equivalence, SPJIMR’s FPM programme is now aligned with the highest academic standards, offering our scholars great opportunities for growth and success to pursue global academic and professional careers.”
SPJIMR FPM graduates will now be eligible to pursue academic careers at premier institutions in India and abroad, apply for research-driven roles in industry and policymaking, and seek positions that require a PhD qualification. This recognition also strengthens SPJIMR’s reputation as a leading research institution, positioning it as a preferred destination for scholars aspiring to engage in impactful research.
Prof. Bikramjit Ray Chaudhuri, Chairperson, Fellow Programme and Research, remarked, “As we celebrate this moment, I look forward to the continued support of our research guides, scholars, internal and international faculty, and staff in strengthening our research ecosystem and mentoring the next generation of scholars who will take SPJIMR’s legacy forward.”
SPJIMR-Abhyudaya’s Hastantaran 2024: A new mentorship journey begins
Mumbai, August 08, 2024: Hastantaran, meaning ‘handing over’ or ‘transferring’, is an exciting ceremony marking the start of the mentoring journey undertaken by SPJIMR’s first-year PGDM participants and Abhyudaya Sitaras (Stars).
Abhyudaya, meaning ‘growing together’, is an experiential learning programme where each first-year PGDM participant is assigned a Sitara to mentor for the entire year. The Sitaras, selected based on their academic records and performance in specially curated aptitude tests, are some of the brightest students from Mumbai’s marginalised and underprivileged sections.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Varun Nagaraj, Dean, SPJIMR, said, “The SPJIMR-Abhyudaya programme is designed to cultivate social sensitivity and empathy in our future business leaders by exposing them to the realities of urban poverty and inculcate mentorship qualities.” Since 2008, 948 Sitaras and 3,688 PGDM participants have undergone this transformative journey.
The Sitaras, who refer to the PGDM participants affectionately as ‘Didis’ (sisters) or ‘Bhaiyas’ (brothers), gain lifelong mentors who provide academic support, personality development training, emotional counselling, and advice on personal or professional issues.
Hastantaran 2024 marked the propitious commencement of Abhyudaya for the PGDM cohort of 2024-26. Arati Nagaraj, Director, SPJIMR-Abhyudaya, inspired the Sitaras and PGDM aspirants, and said, “To the senior mentors, remember, your journey is never over. You continue to be your Sitaras’ North Star. And to the new mentors, embrace this journey and strive to become a guiding light for your Sitaras.”
‘Celestial Connections’, the theme of Hastantaran 2024, signified the sincerity and depth of the bonds formed between the PGDM participants and the Sitaras. “Abhyudaya was a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot from my mentee and her family,” said Swapneel, PGP2 mentor. Added Sakina Jabir Khan, his mentee and a class 8 student, “I learnt about leadership from Swapneel bhaiya. He helped me with my studies. Though I am sad that I won’t see him every month, I am excited to know who my new mentor will be.”
To celebrate the beginning of these beautiful mentor-mentee relationships, the Sitaras and the PGDM participants lit up the stage with energetic dance and soulful song performances. During a panel discussion, second-year PGDM participants and Sitaras shared their Abhyudaya experiences to clarify doubts and allay concerns of the first-year participants.
The most awaited event of Hastantaran 2024 was the first mentor-mentee meeting. Each Sitara searched with keen eyes, bated breath, and hopeful hearts for their beloved ‘Didis’ and ‘Bhaiyas’. A sense of emotion overtook them as this moment marked the rite of passage from their previous mentor to their next mentor. The event concluded with a series of ice-breaking and team-building exercises where the Sitaras and their new mentors shared personal stories, aspirations, and expectations.
Hastantaran 2024 marked a shift in the energy on campus. The excitement of being part of an experience that shapes lives, creates lifelong bonds, and builds a treasure trove of memories was almost tangible. Each participant and their Sitara are now set to embark on a stellar journey of personal growth and learning.