International Conference Report

OAKCOM 2019

Two Days International Conference

On

'Sustainability and Business'

20th

– 21st September 2019

Oakbrook Business School hosted Third International Conference on Sustainability and Business

in association with Gujarat Technological University on 20th

& 21st Sept. 2019 at Ahmadabad,

Gujarat.

For the business enterprise, sustainable development means adopting business strategies and

activities that meet the needs of the enterprise and its stakeholders today while protecting,

sustaining and enhancing the human and natural resources that will be needed in the future. The

concept of sustainable development has received growing recognition, but it is a new idea for

many business executives as well. And for most, the concept remains abstract and theoretical.

Keeping that objective in mind international conference on Sustainability and Business is

planned with a view to explore pathways to address current and emerging sustainability

challenges through business by empowering learners with new skills, values and attitudes that

lead to more sustainable societies.

The Conference allows scholars and practitioners in education from around the world, to get

together to share their ideas, projects, academic articles, as well as experiences, to learn from

each other while generating food for thought for researchers to take the knowledge to the next

level.

Prof. Dr. Navin Sheth, Honourable Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University,

Ahmadabad agreed to be the Chief Guests for the International Conference OAKCOM 2019. The

other eminent speakers for the inauguration ceremony were Dr. Pankaj Singh, (Senior Vice

President, Data Centre and Group HR Adani Enterprises Ltd.), Dr. Pentonjee, (Ex. Professor,

IIMA & Honorary Professor Dr. Albert Schweitzer International University, Geneva,

Switzerland), Mr. Tae Hyung Lim, Director General, Korea Trade Investment Promotion

Agency (KOTRA) and Dr. C. Gopalkrishnan, (Member of Board of Governance, Oakbrook

Business School). There were also other dignitaries from different segments who attended the

conference and expressed their views on the “Sustainability and Business”.

The two day conference was divided into different sessions.

20th

September, 2019 (Day 1) schedule was comprised of Inaugural Ceremony, Plenary

Session on Finance, Marketing, Human Resource and Entrepreneurship areas and Paper

presentation across two tracks.

21st September, 2019 (Day 2) Researchers and Scholars presented their paper which was

followed by valedictory session. A brief of various sessions is presented here under:

Inaugural Ceremony, 10.00 am to 12.00 pm

The session began with lighting of the lamp, welcome address proposed by Dr. Ankita

Shrivastava (I/c Director) Oakbrook Business School followed by felicitation of the guests. The

conference was graced by the esteemed presence of the following delegates from different fields.

(Image: Inaugural Ceremony) (Image: Lamp Lighting)

Dr. Pankaj Singh, (Senior Vice President, Data Centre and Group HR Adani Enterprises Ltd.)

in his inaugural address share views on business growth and its impact on society by pointing

facts on environment degradation and income inequalities. He emphasises on concept of ESG

(Environmental Sustainable Growth) and shared value opportunity. Dr. Pankaj Singh elaborate

four strategic steps any company should follow to implement sustainability in business.

Prof. (Dr). Pentonjee, (Ex. Professor, IIMA & Honorary Professor Dr. Albert Schweitzer

International University, Geneva, Switzerland), elaborated the theme by quoting the Mahatma

Gandhi “The world has enough for man's need but not enough for man's greed!”. Prof. Pestonjee

further point out on various issues that impacting society with rapid adoption of technology and

how technology helping business to become more sustainable. In his address Prof. Pestonjee

share the next evolution phase of industrialization and its impact on economic growth of

developing countries and how sustainability of business impacted due to these.

Mr. Tae Hyung Lim, Director General, Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA),

inaugural address emphasised on innovation and sustainability from identifying societal needs to

the customers reach. He further explained about the different cultures and business ideas of

Korea and India and related few examples on sustainability of business. In his address Mr. Lim

emphasize on sustainable development of Indian small and medium enterprises and the role of

Korea in trade partnership with India.

Prof. (Dr.) Navin Sheth, Honourable vice Chancellor Gujarat Technological University,

Ahmedabad spoke on the importance of Sustainability at world platform and how universities

and academic fraternity can contribute in that. He emphasizes on understanding “One Planet”

point and talk on wisely use of scarce resources and leaving enough for the future generation.

He talked on how new built campus of Gujarat Technological University will contribute in less

carbon footprint and end the speech with wonderful quote “प्रकृति का दोहन होना चाहहए, शोषण

नह ीं होना चाहहए”.

A book with ISBN 978-93-88237-83-3 containing the selected research papers contributed by

different authors from academics and industry from India and abroad was also released by the

invited guests, and other distinguished speakers on the dais.

Followed by a group photo session, the Inaugural ceremony was a grand success!

(Image: Conference Proceedings Release and Group Photo)

20th

September (Day 1) Plenary session 12.00 to 2.00pm

The Plenary session was an in-depth session on the theme of the conference where four speakers

from different domains pointed out their views on area of their academic interest.

The first speaker of the session was Dr. Bala Bhaskaran, Campus Director & I/C Provost

Swarnim Start-up & Innovation University, Gujarat who related the various areas of

management with the theme of Sustainability and Business. His anecdote made the session

lively. It was innovative as well as inspirational, giving insight how the business run to meet

challenges of modern business with sustainability in today’s times.

The second speaker of the day was Dr. Anindita Mehta, Deputy General Manager and

Laboratory Director, Consumer Education and Research Center, Ahmedabad. She highlighted on

her real time practical experiences on Business growth and sustainability. She also shared few

tips of how innovative practices can be used to boost the business & sustain in the competitive

market.

The third speaker for the plenary session was Dr. Gaurav Buch, Group Head HR , Rasna

International. He delivered a mesmerizing and innovative talk which was very interesting and

practical. He gave real-life examples of Corporate Culture and the audience enjoyed it to the hilt.

The fourth speaker in the plenary session was Mr. Chandramauli Pathak, International

Entrepreneurship Expert and Consultant; it was indeed a motivational speech. The journey from

corporate to entrepreneurship was inspiring and tempted few audiences to inculcate it.

An important aspect of the seminar was the vibrant interactions which took place among the

dignitaries, the faculty members and the students. Many intelligent questions were raised by the

participants (both participants and students) relating to their educational aspirations, career

progression, global exposure etc and were effectively handled by the speakers to the immense

benefit of the participants.

The plenary session was a grand success and concluded with the formal vote of thanks by Dr.

Manju Raisinghani, Assistant Professor at Oakbrook Business School.

(Dr. Bala Bhaskaran) (Dr. Anindita Mehta)

(Dr. Gaurav Buch) (Mr. Chandramauli Pathak)

Conference Tracks

After the completion of plenary & the expert talks on various streams of management on the

theme of the conference was the time for the research paper contributors to present their research

work. OAKCOM 2019 had received papers from all over the country including Maharashtra,

Gujarat, Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Kashmir along with relevant foreign

contributions. Presentations took place in three tracks. Of the three, two were carried out on day

one and the third on day two.

The Track Sessions were chaired by eminent personalities in the field of research like, Dr. Nilam

Panchal (Associate Professor, BK school of Management, Gujarat University ), Dr. Saurabhi

Chaturvedi (Dean, Faculty of Management Studies, Ganpat University, Mehsana) & Dr.

Pankajray Patel, Director – GTU, Ahmedabad. Each presentation was followed by question

answer session & valuable feedback from the chairperson.

Success of OAKCOM 2019 was mainly due to the contribution by the researcher’s and their

contribution towards the storehouse of knowledge in their respective field.

Valedictory

The valedictory function of OAKCOM 2019 was conducted on the 2nd day of the International

conference i.e. 21st Sept 2019. The chief guest of the session was Mr. Bipin Shah, Advisor, Gem

& Jwellery Trade Council of India and, Guest of Honour was Dr. A.V.Thomas, Director Adani

Institute of Infrastructure.

Function started with a well detailed report of OAKCOM 2019 presented by Dr. Darshan

Ranpura, Conference Co-ordinator of the event.

In the Valedictory address chief guest Mr. Bipin Shah, Senior Advisor, Gem & Jewellery Trade

Council of India, enlightened the audience by sharing his professional experience, vast pool

knowledge and exposure along with certain valuable advices to the youngsters for achieving

goals in life. The Guest of Honour Dr. A.V.Thomas, Director, Adani Institute of Infrastructure

Management gave very much inspirational speech to young graduates, which is quite feasible &

workable.

Next segment was the distribution of certificates & conference proceedings to the participants by

the hands of dignitaries. Best paper Title was Won by Ms. Ranna Bhatt co-authored by Prof

Hetal Vyas from V.M.Patel Institute of Management, Ganpat University and Institute of

Management , Nirma University.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Urvi Shah.

Glimpses of Valedictory: