The HARMONY project, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme for Capacity Building in Higher Education, aims to bring together students and academics from Europe and South Asia to enhance cultural understanding and exchange, and to support universities’ internationalization at home. One of the key objectives of the project is to build students’ intercultural knowledge and sensitivity to cultural diversity by transforming international Relation office into vibrant multicultural focal points through the establishment of an Intercultural Hub.

Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Meena Chintamaneni inaugurated the the NMIMS Intercultural Hub on 15^th November, 2022. NMIMS international students from France, Germany and Nigeria, SBM students and facukty attended the event. The event was organised by NMIMS School of Buisness Management - International Student Relations Committee

Then NMIMS Intercultural Hub would work to insure students and staff have the intercultural skills to thrive in globalised workplaces and communities. This would be through various co-curricular and extra curricular activites such as Research projects on culture and communication studies, Collaborative online Integrated learning (COIL Project), Summer and winter schools for students, Annual Digital story telling competition, Multicultural Guest Speakers, Celebration of national and international festivals, Faculty and staff exchange, Semester abroad for students, International Internships, International immersions, Supporting NMIMS Schools with foreign Language programs and more.

The program began with ribbon cutting for the Inauguration by Dr. Meena Chintamani, the pro Vice Chancellor of NMIMS University.

It was then followed by various events including:

• Lighting of the Lamp and Saraswati Vadana
• Welcome Address speech by Dr. Meena Chintamani
• Sharing of Intercultural Experience by two French exchange students
• Sharing of Intercultural Experience by an Indian exchange student
• Sharing of Intercultural Experience by a Nigerian exchange student
• Performance by Treblemakers, the Music club of SBM, NMIMS Mumbai
• Performance by Zephyr, the Music club of SBM, NMIMS Mumbai
• Music and Dance performance by foreign exchange students
• Vote of Thanks by Meena Saxena, Director of International Linkages, NMIMS University
• High Tea

Cross-Cultural Learning Experiences by Students

Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management (PDSE&FB), NMIMS

Cross-cultural learning enables students to learn about their own and others’ cultures. It enhances one's knowledge of cultural norms, values, and behaviours. It further allows students to discern and communicate cultural differences with sensitivity and confidence. Teaching intercultural sensitivity can often feel challenging. Kobes (1984) emphasised an Experiential Learning Cycle to achieve an optimal cross-cultural learning experience.

In a University initiative to provide a concrete experience of cross-cultural learning, the twenty-third cohort of the Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management (PDSE&FB), NMIMS, visited four countries, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Switzerland, to explore and learn about design, innovation, and global business prospects.

Effective experiential learning is seen when a person progresses through a cycle of four stages: (1) having a concrete experience followed by (2) observation of and reflection on that experience which leads to (3) the formation of abstract concepts, (analysis) and generalisations (conclusions) which are then (4) used to test a hypothesis in future situations, resulting in new experiences.

The International Study Trip

In a journey to connect students with culturally different people and to move along a spectrum from “ethnocentrism’ to “ethnorelativism”, Professor Seema Mahajan, Director at the Institute, designed the IV 2022 (This is the 29^th delegation in a span of 15 years and over 4000 entrepreneurial students benefitted from the same).  It exposed students to global brand positioning, leading design and innovation, entering foreign markets, addressing barriers to entry, developing a futuristic perspective, and helping them imbibe best international practices.

The cohort relied heavily on experiential learning to achieve a practical cross-cultural learning experience.  They visited 14 firms over 12 days, like IMEC, Riedel glass, Schindler, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Erdinger. The four-step process of experiential learning is in the diagram below:

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Source: David Korbes

The Journey

1. Concrete Experience

The student cohort interacted with Mayors, Investment teams, Industry leaders and trade representatives across the four countries for a first-hand experience of cross-border trade concepts, go-to-market strategies and technological trends. They observed global best practices in quality assurance, packaging and supply chain management.

• The visit to ERDINGER provided a complete insight into how Weissbier is brewed and bottled to enhance the taste and aroma
• The visit to Schindler illustrated the shape of tomorrow’s cities through technology and innovation and intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable urban mobility
• The cohort interacted with Mr Stephan Hafrel, CEO of Comate, and discussed key challenges of implementing innovative solutions across their respective businesses. The cohort visited CommScope - wireless automation. Their state-of-the-art technology, with 17965 patents, provided a broad overview of the evolving communication landscape
• Visits to other companies enabled students to develop a perspective and a broader vision of the future.
• Culinary customs reflect culture. The students had ample opportunities to study culture through the culinary route closely.

2. Reflective Observation

The students reflected on the new experience in light of their existing knowledge. Their interactions with the environment were significant as they served to answer inconsistencies between experience and understanding.

The Impact

3. Abstract Conceptualization

 The wealth of observations from the four countries will enable the students to logically analyse their ideas and theories. It is hoped it will, in turn, provide them with more thoughts and ideas.

4. Active Experimentation

The trip empowered the cohort to experiment with their ideas, apply them to their daily routine, and observe the impact.

The trip has been highly successful and is expected to change students’ lives. It will enhance their thinking process and change their perspectives through holistic reflections.

Dr. Pintu Shah, Assistant Professor, Department of IT, Mukesh patel MPSTME Mumbai, was invited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Australia, to be a part of 5 days ( 5-9 June 2023) Cyber Bootcamp at Australian National University’s National Security College, Canberra, Australia. He was a part of seven members’ Indian team and was the only invited academician for the boot camp. It was under the aegis of the Australian-India Cyber and Critical Technology Partnership (AICCTP), formed between India and Australia in 2020. The objective of the cyber boot camp was to understand the challenges faced by Indo-Pacific countries and the way forward. There were discussions and deliberations on cyber challenges, cyber security policies at national and international levels, collaboration and coordination for cyber challenges, cyber defences and responses. Eighteen delegates from FIVE Asian countries, along with Australia, participated in this boot camp. The majority of the participants were from various ministries of the FIVE nations

MUMBAI, June 14, 2023: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the world's largest business education alliance, has recognized NMIMS SBM for their innovative We Care: Civic Engagement Internship program. NMIMS SBM is among the 25 business schools highlighted in the Innovations That Inspire member spotlight program, which recognizes institutions from around the world that serve as champions of change in the business education landscape.

NMIMS School of Business Management's We Care: Civic Engagement internship program is designed to produce transformational leaders capable of creating an inclusive and sustainable world. As part of the MBA curriculum, the three-week internship enhances students' sustainability perspective and promotes values of inclusiveness, social innovation, collegiality, integrity, and excellence.

Caryn Beck-Dudley, AACSB president and CEO, stated, “New demands from stakeholders require reimagined business school initiatives, and NMIMS SBM demonstrates a fresh way forward for business education. By leveraging innovation for knowledge co-creation, new methods of learning, and expanded educational access, business schools are meeting market expectations and increasing value for businesses, learners, and society.”

Now in its eighth year, the Innovations That Inspire initiative has highlighted 214 business school efforts that exemplify forward-looking approaches to education, research, community engagement, entrepreneurship, leadership, and diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Prashant Mishra, Dean, School of Business Management, NMIMS said, “NMIMS SBM has been recognized for its efforts to innovate the business school in ways that enhance value for all stakeholders, including students, businesses, and society. By leveraging innovation for knowledge co-creation, new methods of learning, and expanded educational access, NMIMS SBM is meeting market expectations and increasing value for businesses, learners, and society.”

Dr. Meena Galliara, Director, Jasani Center for Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability Management highlighted, “This recognition is a testament to NMIMS SBM's commitment to excellence in business education and its efforts to prepare students for the challenges of the future. The program also focuses on developing analytical skills among students to examine the root causes of social issues in society and business.”

About School of Business Management

SBM of SVKM’s NMIMS, Deemed-to-be University, is one of India’s leading business schools with a legacy of world-renowned faculty and an excellent placement program. NMIMS, which began as a business school 42 years ago, is known for its trailblazing curriculum. The school has consistently ranked among the top 10 B-Schools in the country since 1998 in various such published surveys. SVKM’s NMIMS has been granted Category-I Deemed University status by Graded Autonomy Regulation 2018 by MHRD/UGC, and the NMIMS Mumbai Campus is NAAC accredited with a CGPA of 3.59. NMIMS School of Business Management MBA programs has been ranked amongst Top-100 Global B-School by FT MIM 2022.

British Council organised the International Learning Cohorts (ILC ) virtual Networking Session on Monday 12^th June, 2023. Ms Meena Saxena, Director International linkages attended the ILC course and was invited for this session. It was designed to bring together participants who attended the ILC course to meet with UK university colleagues & British Council staff members to share experiences and make connections in a space that brings together peers from around the world who are supportive and like-minded, as well as to establish and grow long-term partnerships, and ensure a legacy and positive impact from the ILC course. The session offered an opportunity to meet with participants from different ILC cohorts and regions which included Pakistan, Kuwait, Romania, Greece & Bahrain . 90+ participants across 15 countries attended the International Learning Course

Event Objective

• Celebrate the opportunities for networking and its benefits for all participants involved with UK Higher Education Institutions.
• Promote networking and collaborations across the participants from Europe, Asia, and the Gulf.
• Support the establishment and growth of long-term TNE and international partnerships.

Participating UK Universities - Nottingham Trent University, Birmingham City University & Anglia Ruskin University.

On this International Yoga Day, NMIMS Indore proudly joins the global community in embracing the transformative power of yoga. With deep reverence, we acknowledge the significance of this ancient practice in nurturing holistic well-being, physical vitality, and mental serenity. Under the enlightening guidance Ms. Poonam Joshi Pandey, renowned Yoga Trainer, our college community experienced the profound benefits of yoga and discovered the profound connection between body, mind, and soul. With her expertise and passion, Ms. Poonam skillfully imparted invaluable wisdom, enlightening us about various yoga practices and their positive impact on our lives.

Yoga, a timeless tradition, serves as a guiding light on our journey towards self-discovery and inner harmony. It encourages us to cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and a balanced perspective amidst the challenges of modern life. By embracing yoga, we unlock our true potential, fostering physical strength, mental clarity, and emotional well-being.

At NMIMS Indore, we took immense pride in celebrating International Yoga Day as a reminder of the immense value that yoga brings to our lives. Let us continue to embrace this holistic practice, integrating its teachings into our daily routines, and savoring the transformative benefits it offers.

"Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self." - The Bhagavad Gita. 

Yoga is a mind-body discipline that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2023, the students of MBA I Year had a one-hour session of yoga practice, from 8:00-9:00 am, where they learnt various asanas and breathing practices to promote strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. 

The session was taken by Ms. Jui Kolwankar, a certified yoga teacher and a student of MBA II Year. The following were some of the asanas taught in the session- Konasana, Trikonasana, Utkatasana, Paschimottanasana, Anjaneyasana, Adhomukhasvanasana. 

This session was conducted to teach students to deal with the day-to-day stress of the fast-paced corporate world. The aim was to expose them to the discipline of Yoga to foster a healthy and spiritual culture to cultivate mindfulness, mental clarity, emotional stability, and inner peace.

Guest Session- Sustainability in Supply Chain

Date: 30^th July’2023

Class Time: 10:10 am SCM Div A and 11:50 am Div B

Speaker: Prof Kellys Sikabbwele, University of Bristol

Profile:

Prof Kellys Sikabbwele has previously worked as a Unit Director for Global Supply Chain Management in the MSc Global Supply Chain Management at the University of Bristol. He completed his Ph.D. in Management Studies with a particular focus on ‘sustainable operations and supply chain management’ from the University of Liverpool in 2021. He holds an MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management from the University of Liverpool. He has international experience in higher education teaching Supply Chain Management at various levels such as executive training, undergraduate and postgraduate. He has over eight years of teaching experience to multicultural students in higher education in the UK and overseas. His research interests focus on exploring paradoxical tensions and enablers for sustainable supply chain management. He has previously worked on various consultancy projects to help companies develop sustainable supply chains. He is a reviewer for the European Operations Management Association Conferences and has previously published and presented at several conferences including BAM and EurOMA. 

The class welcomed Prof Kellys Sikabbwele for the guest session on “Sustainable Supply Chain”. The Class Representative introduced the Guest speaker. 

Learnings from the Session:

In today's rapidly changing business landscape, sustainability has emerged as a critical driver for success, and supply chain management plays a pivotal role in this transformation. As students of Supply Chain Management, we have delved deep into understanding the importance of sustainability, its objectives, and the challenges it brings. This lecture has shed light on various sustainability issues, the exponential growth in world trade, and the risks that demand immediate attention. We have consolidated our learning and explored how organizations can embrace sustainability to create a positive impact and gain a competitive advantage. 

Sustainability in Supply Chain Management: 

At its core, sustainability in supply chain management refers to the harmonious integration of environmental, social, and economic considerations throughout the supply chain. Recognizing the growing importance of sustainability, businesses have set objectives and adopted philosophies that align with this transformative approach. With world trade growing by a staggering 4500% from 1950 to 2022, organizations face challenges and risks that necessitate a proactive and sustainable response. 

Addressing Risks and Drivers: 

In the quest for sustainability, organizations must confront various risks, including the cost of living crisis, natural disasters, climate change, and geo economic confrontations. These risks underscore the urgency of adopting sustainable practices that encompass risk reduction, community and government pressures, and alignment with sustainability values. 

Moreover, businesses must recognize the value of sustainability for their customers. Awareness, perception, and action are key factors that influence customers' choices and preferences. Hence, integrating sustainability into the supply chain can lead to enhanced brand loyalty and customer trust. 

CSR and ESG Integration: 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plays a significant role in driving sustainability efforts. A strategic CSR approach encompasses environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, driving firms to focus on resource and emission reduction, human rights, community impact, and effective organizational structures and policies. This integrated approach aligns businesses with sustainable practices and helps them fulfil their moral obligations, gain a license to operate, and safeguard their reputation. 

CSR and Competitive Advantage: 

Porter and Kramer's seminal paper on "Strategy and Society" highlights the link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Organizations that proactively adopt CSR and embed sustainability into their operations can derive competitive advantages, such as improved reputation, customer loyalty, and operational efficiencies. 

Greening SCM for Efficiency: 

To achieve sustainability, organizations embrace Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) principles. GSCM focuses on reducing resource usage, improving supply chain efficiency, eliminating waste, and incorporating circular economy practices. By doing so, organizations can create more sustainable and resilient supply chains while minimizing their ecological footprint.

The session ended with a discussion on the Greening of Walmart Supply Chain followed by Q&A by the students which were answered by the professor.

In conclusion, our exploration of Sustainable Supply Chain Management has enlightened us on the critical role of sustainability in modern business practices. Understanding sustainability's importance, embracing CSR, and implementing GSCM principles empower organizations to address risks, gain competitive advantages, and contribute positively to society and the environment.

The class representative extended a Vote of Thanks to Prof Kellys.

Harmony Bootcamp

 Varna University of Management, Bulgaria - 2nd to 21st July 2023

Project Report

From living independently in a new country, to marketing for and organising an intercultural event, the three weeks spent at the Harmony Bootcamp, have been nothing less than an experience of a lifetime. A total of 21 students from India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh were invited to attend a fully funded student bootcamp of three weeks’ duration, from 2^nd to 21^st July 2023, organized by Erasmus+ program of the European Union. These students were shortlisted in the Digital Storytelling Competition conducted at the university level.

Throughout the three weeks of the bootcamp, students were accommodated in the dormitory of Varna University of Management in Dobrich, Bulgaria, which is a small, calm, and peaceful city. The environment is completely opposite to what one would see in a fast-paced city like Mumbai. Wherever you looked, you would find people peacefully enjoying a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop, reading a newspaper, cycling around, taking their pets on a walk, taking a stroll in the park, etc. There was no hurry, no urgency to reach places, no rush. This was largely because it was the time of summer holidays, when the number of people staying in the city is less, as most Bulgarians spend their time out of the country.

Classes conducted:

During the three weeks, several classes were conducted on the topics of (i) Event Management, (ii) Intercultural Communication and Competence, and (iii) Leadership, which were conducted by some of the top faculty of Varna University of Management, Bulgaria.

1. Event Management:

Conducted by Professor Irina Petkova, this was a 4-day module, where students learnt everything right from the basics of event planning (types, size, scale, roles, scope), to how marketing of an event takes place, pre and post event planning, and more.

Throughout the classes, students were given group assignments and presentations to work on. These team activities were a great way to interact with and get to know the fellow students. For most of the students, this was also the first time we were working with students from different countries.

2. Intercultural Communication and Competence:

Conducted by Dr. Nedka Dimitrova, this was a 5-day module that took place in the second week of the bootcamp. During the classes, students would engage in meaningful discussions surrounding the topics of elements of culture that shape people’s thinking, behaviour, and actions. We touched upon the topics of stereotypes, norms, beliefs, attitudes of people across different cultures, and more.

At the end of the module, students were divided into groups of three for a group project and presentation, in which we recognised various cultural differences between different countries, which included cross-cultural communication barriers, auto and hetero-stereotypes, and so on.

3. Leadership:

Conducted by Dr. Violina Ratcheva, this was a 4-day module conducted in the last week of the bootcamp. These classes were a culmination of learning different leadership styles, as well as gaining an understanding of how different people perceive leadership differently and the qualities that are envisioned in a leader

Study Trips:

On weekends, we were taken on study trips to beautiful locations in Bulgaria like Cape Kaliakra, Nessebar, Balchik, Castle Ravadinovo, Albena Beach, and more. Every place that we visited had a cultural significance and historical importance. We were accompanied by tour guides during these trips, who at every step of the way gave us insights and pieces of useful information about the places that we were visiting.

‘Delight in Diversity’ - intercultural event:

At the end of the bootcamp, the students organized an intercultural event called ‘Delight in Diversity', at an open theatre in Dobrich, Bulgaria. In this event, we showcased the cultures of India, Vietnam, Bangladesh through interactive stalls and live performances.

1. Marketing and pre-event:

We were allocated a budget within which we had to ensure that we cover all the expenses of the event. We divided ourselves into broadly four teams- marketing, logistics, finance, arts and crafts. Information about this event was published in almost all local media in Dobrich:

[a] https://www.focus-news.net/novini/regioni/Naslada-v-mnogoobrazieto-e-finalut-v-Dobrich-na-Studentski-obuchitelen-lager-1755959

[b] https://novini247.com/novini/na-19-yuli-2023-sryada-v-leten-teatar-dobrich-shte_6585588.html

[c] https://dobrudjabg.com/novina/mejdunaroden-festival-na-kulturite-naslada-v-mnogoobrazieto-shte-provedat-chujdestranni-studenti-na-vum/89039

[d] https://darik.bg/mezdunaroden-festival-na-kulturite-naslada-v-mnogoobrazieto-ste-se-provede-v-dobrich-na-19-uli

In the final days leading up to the event, students dressed up in their traditional attires, handed out posters and flyers, and conducted a flashmob on the streets of Dobrich, which was watched and appreciated by many.

2. The event:

From interactive stalls showcasing the artefacts and traditions of the three countries, to spectacular live performances that made the audience immerse themselves in the cultures of Asia, the ‘Delight in Diversity’ event, staying true to its name, was a blend of delightful experiences and rich showcase of cultural diversity.

Key learnings and takeaways:

The kind of international and intercultural exposure that this bootcamp has given the students, is invaluable and one that we will treasure for the rest of our lives! This experience has not only made the students culturally more aware but has triggered an urge to continue learning and exploring different cultures. Living and studying with students from across the globe has been one of the best parts of this journey. We not only learned the nuances of event management and leadership in theory, but also practised and applied our learnings by organising the ‘Delight in Diversity’ event.

Each student brought with themselves a unique set of skills and values, and we are extremely grateful that we not only had the opportunity to interact with, but also learn from each one of them. This experience has played a key role in contributing to our academic and personal growth. We am extremely grateful to Erasmus+ for organising this wonderful bootcamp, and to Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies for giving us the platform to be a part of this life-changing experience.

Faculty Research Program

NMIMS University International Department, School of Business Management as part of EU ERASMUS,HARMONY project organized a Faculty Research Program in collaboration with University at Albany. This program was executed in three parts. The first part was the research panel presentations by the faculties of University at Albany organized on January 25, 2023 over a zoom meeting. Prof. Dennis Caplan, Prof. Bill Wales and Prof. Rita Biswas who are the editors of leading management journals gave the guidelines and do’s and don’ts of research paper writing. Along with them, Prof. Eliot Rich, Prof Hillary Wiener and Prof. Lee Spitzley presented their currently work in progress and highlighted the emerging themes of research in their respective field of studies. Thirty-Four participants have attended the presentation.

The second part was the presentation on ESG: An Emerging Scholarly Grand Challenge by Prof. Emeritus Paul Miesing from University at Albany organised on January 27, 2023 over a zoom meeting. He presented the ESG framework, best practices and research opportunity in the field of ESG. Twenty Five participants have attended the presentation.

The third part was the academic writing workshop organised in-person on January 25, 2023 primarily for the PhD scholars and faculty members who are pursuing the PhD. Prof. Rita Biswas provided the guidance on preparation of research proposal, performing the literature review, preparing the manuscript of leading journals and finally shared some tips on writing dissertation. Twenty-Four PhD scholars participated in the workshop.

Particpants
NMIMS 1000+ Faculty across 18+ schools and 8 Campuses

NMIMS, EU ERASMUS – HARMONY in collaboration with University at Albany -SUNY
bring to you a three part Faculty Development Program

• Part 1 & Part 3 are Online Sessions
• Part 2 is an in person workshop for Doctoral Scholars , Mumbai Campus

Part 1

Wednesday, 25^th January , 7.30 – 9.00 PM IST

State of the Art Research

Accounting, Information Systems, Consumer Behaviour, Digital Forensics & Analytics &  Finance

Session Details

7.30 – 7.35 pm Introduction by Rita Biswas
7.35 – 8.00 pm Prof Dennis Caplan (Accounting Area and Editor)
8.00 – 8.15 pm Prof Eliot Rich (Systems Dynamics and Information Systems)
8.15 – 8.30 pm Prof Hillary Wiener (Consumer Behavior and Social Connections)
8.30 – 8.34 pm Prof. ill Wales (Entrepreneurship and Editor)
8.45 – 9.00 pm Prof. Lee Spitzley (Digital Forensics and Data Analytics)
9.00 pm -          Prof Rita Biswas (Macro-Finance and Editor) and Wrap-Up

Faculty Brief Profiles

Prof. Dennis Caplan

Dennis Caplan is Associate Professor of Accounting at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Professor Caplan holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a CPA and a CMA.

Professor Caplan’s current research examines corporate fraud, audit quality, and the regulation and self-regulation of the auditing profession, using a variety of methodologies including empirical and descriptive methods, and case studies that are published as teaching cases. He has also published several articles and teaching cases on financial and management accounting topics. His early research used game theory to model audit quality.

Professor Caplan has published in a variety of journals including Journal of Accounting Research, Contemporary Accounting Research, Critical Perspectives on Accounting, Advances in Accounting, Issues in Accounting Education, Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, and Research in Accounting Regulation. He serves as an Associate Editor for Issues in Accounting Education and is on the editorial board of the Journal of Accounting Education. Professor Caplan also maintains an open access introductory cost accounting textbook at IntroToCost.info.

Prof Eliot Rich

• Modeling and simulation of socio-technical systems
• Design and implementation of information systems

Eliot is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics at the University at Albany. He also holds appointments as Affiliated Faculty in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity and Courtesy Faculty in the Department of Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College.

His current research focuses on the use of computer simulation to understand complex strategic and operational problems. He is also developing curricula for courses in analytics as applied to business problems. 

Prior to receiving his PhD, he worked as a business analyst and consultant for an international consulting firm and as a software developer and program manager

Prof Hillary Wiener

Expertise:
Marketing; marketing research; marketing strategy; consumer behavior; consumer psychology; marketing and social relationships; friendship formation; conversation; gift-giving; social support; emoji.

Hillary Wiener is an assistant professor of marketing within the School of Business. Her research focuses on how people can use products to connect with others. In one stream of research, she examines the consequences of asking people about the products (i.e. clothing or decorative objects in the home or office) that they publically display and showing how people frequently use these products to make new friends. In another stream of research, she examines when and why people give gifts in response to negative events in others’ lives and the relationship between gift-giving and social support.

Wiener teaches marketing strategy using the case-based method and marketing research using a combination of traditional classroom methods and experiential learning. In marketing research, all students complete a marketing research consulting project, collecting survey data from the customers and clients of a local business or non-profit to answer one of the organization's authentic business questions.

Wiener received her Ph.D. in marketing from Duke University.

Prof William Wales

Management Department Chair Standish Professor of Entrepreneurship, School of Business

Management

Academic Subfields

Entrepreneurship; Strategic Management

Research Interests

Entrepreneurial Orientation; Corporate Entrepreneurship & Renewal;

Strategic Behavior & Strategy Formulation; CEO Attributes and

Strategy-making

Editor

Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=PB0s9jcAAAAJ&hl=en

Prof. Lee Spitzley

Assistant Professor of Information Security & Digital Forensics at University at Albany School of Business

Research areas include corporate fraud detection, natural language processing, machine learning, and behavioral analytics. Research integrates text mining methods with behavioral theory to measure the information contained in text documents.

He completed his  PhD in Management Information Systems at the University of Arizona.

Prof Rita Biswas

Expertise:
International corporate finance; international financial markets; macro-finance; cross-border valuation; mergers and acquisitions; emerging markets.

Rita Biswas is an associate professor of finance within the School of Business. Biswas’ research interests primarily involve international financial markets and banking. Her work has been published in journals such as The Financial Review, Journal of Financial Services Research, Review of Futures Markets, Global Finance Journal and the Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions and International Journal of Media Management.

Biswas' teaching interests are in financial management, M&As and international corporate finance. She has won several undergraduate and graduate teaching awards, including the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (University at Albany, 2012-13) as well as the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (SUNY system-wide, 2013-14).

She is a frequent teacher in executive MBA programs worldwide, including at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in Bankakademie, Germany and at Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Professor Biswas received her master’s in international economics from University of Rochester, NY in 1985 and her Ph.D. in international finance and banking from Texas A&M University, TX in 1990.

Part 2

Wednesday, 25^th January, 2 – 5 pm

Venue : Class room # 903 – NMIMS University

For Doctoral Scholars

Focused on Preparation of proposal of research, Literature Review , Preparing manuscript for leading journals , Guidelines on dissertations

Prof Rita Biswas

Expertise:
International corporate finance; international financial markets; macro-finance; cross-border valuation; mergers and acquisitions; emerging markets.

Rita Biswas is an associate professor of finance within the School of Business. Biswas’ research interests primarily involve international financial markets and banking. Her work has been published in journals such as The Financial Review, Journal of Financial Services Research, Review of Futures Markets, Global Finance Journal and the Journal of Risk Management in Financial Institutions and International Journal of Media Management.

Biswas' teaching interests are in financial management, M&As and international corporate finance. She has won several undergraduate and graduate teaching awards, including the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (University at Albany, 2012-13) as well as the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (SUNY system-wide, 2013-14).

She is a frequent teacher in executive MBA programs worldwide, including at the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in Bankakademie, Germany and at Universidad del Salvador, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Professor Biswas received her master’s in international economics from University of Rochester, NY in 1985 and her Ph.D. in international finance and banking from Texas A&M University, TX in 1990.

Part 3

Title: An Emerging Scholarly Grand Challenge

Prof. Emeritus Paul Miesing – University at Albany - SUNY

Founding Director of UAlbany’s Center for the Advancement & Understanding of Social Enterprises which most recently created the local “High Peaks Impact Awards” in 2021 to recognize businesses that integrate environment, social, and governance factors into their strategy and operations. He has published dozens of articles and papers in both academic and practitioner journals (including in the Financial Times “top 45” journals) and has received a Distinguished Research Award. More about him attached.

About the Session

• What’s a “Grand Challenge”?
  What are Corporate Responsibilities? • What’s ESG?
• What’s the Competitive Advantage?
  • Financial Results (Superior Earnings and Share Price)
  • Operations (Best Practices, Opportunities, and Efficiencies)
  • Strategy (Integrating ESG into the Business Model1.
• Research Opportunities:
  Criticisms About Metrics/ESG

                          Sustaining the ESG Momentum

• Summary, Take-Aways, Questions

NMIMS Mukesh Patel School of Engineering & Technology Management- MPSTME
B.Tech. Data Science ( In Academic Collaboration with Virginia Tech University- USA ) Fourth year

Anidya Singh Bhandari attained a notable achievement by securing a spot in the prestigious MITACS Globalink Research program as a Research Intern in the field of Data Science at Dalhousie University, situated in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. This highly sought-after 12-week research program was generously funded. Anidya's selection was the result of a rigorous screening process comprising three rounds, standing out among the 27,000 global applicants who vied for this opportunity.

Among the applicants from India, Anidya competed with students from esteemed institutions such as the IITs, NITs, BITS, and others. Remarkably, individuals from diverse countries like Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Tunisia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States participated in the scholarship application process, targeting 70 universities across Canada.

Within the program, Anidya embarked on a sustainability-focused project titled ‘Data Analytics to Advance Municipal Wastewater Treatment.’ His mentor, Dr. Amina Stoddart, a faculty member within the Civil and Resource Engineering department at Dalhousie University, guided his research endeavors. Anidya's workplace was the Centre for Water Resources Studies (CWRS), nestled within the engineering campus of Dalhousie University's Sexton Campus.

Equipped with a laptop and confidential data from CWRS, Anidya's role involved regular field visits to the ‘Halifax Waste Water Treatment Plant,’ enabling him to grasp first-hand the operations and requirements of their system. Subsequently, he meticulously tabulated, categorized, and analysed the acquired data. This groundwork paved the way for him to generate comprehensive reports and provide recommendations encompassing potential outcomes, challenges, solutions, and suggestions. The experience offered not only international exposure but also hands-on learning opportunities.

This internship acted as a transformative catalyst, significantly expanding Anidya's perspectives and insights across various domains. The exposure was enlightening, refining his adaptability and unveiling new horizons. Additionally, the experience fostered heightened awareness of sustainable energies, cross-cultural communication subtleties, and the art of effective collaboration within diverse disciplinary and cultural contexts.

Beyond his professional undertakings, Anidya forged meaningful friendships and connections through the program. Amidst decoding intricate data sets, he indulged in outdoor explorations, including hikes and discovering the historical tapestry of Halifax. Adventures ranged from uncovering prime spots for savouring local seafood to relishing delectable pancakes drenched in maple syrup—an indulgence of the finest calibre.

Anidya's triumphant stint as a research intern carved a remarkable milestone for NMIMS University (Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies)& NMIMS Engineering School ( Mukesh Patel School of technology Management & Engineering). He ardently endorses this internship to aspiring candidates, highlighting how this experience broke the monotony of his routine BTech pursuits, solidifying aspirations, and paving the path toward a myriad of opportunities. The exposure ignited a fresh learning curve, infusing him with renewed zeal and an insatiable thirst for higher education.

Gratitude overflows from Anidya towards his College Authorities, Professors, and Ms. Meena Saxena- Director International Linkages, NMIMS University for their unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement. Their instrumental role in nurturing his dreams and transforming them into tangible reality is akin to being the wind beneath his wings, propelling him to soar to greater heights.

SVKM’s NMIMS hosted the G20 Round Table Conference, marking a milestone in promoting the global collaboration of HEIs in shaping a sustainable and better future.

With India leading the G20 presidency, a unique opportunity arose to convene influential voices from global education. The objective was to articulate ideas for promoting international engagement among HEIs to offer quality education, reducing global disparities and equipping students to address global challenges for creating a sustainable world. This initiative preceded the September G20 summit, setting the stage for meaningful discussions. The conference connected with education-contributing countries like like Australia, the UK, Canada, Germany, and the USA. The core aim was to explore international collaborations to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best practices in building capacities of HEIs in promoting quality of education, equipping students with knowledge and skills to promote employability and create a sustainable future.

Eminent global figures attended, including Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive  & Secretary-General of ACU, as Chief Guest. Dr Monica Kennedy,  Senior Trade & Investment Commissioner -Mumbai, India- Austrade, Dr Prachi Kaul, Director, Shastri Indo Canadian Institute (SICI), Mrs Marja-Sirkka Einig, Deputy Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany in Mumbai, Ms Sita Raiter, Public Diplomacy Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai, Dr Ryan Pereira, Regional Officer, United States-India Educational Foundation and Ms Rittika Chanda Parruck, Director- Education, British Council enriched the dialogue. Notably, guests from various G20 countries reinforced its international significance.

The Commonwealth is a dynamic amalgamation of precisely 54 member states, with a substantial majority tracing their origins to territories once governed by the expansive realm of the British Empire. These member states collectively span diverse continents—Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific—forming a mosaic of diversity and culture. The core objectives of this association embody a tapestry of ideals that bind these nations. This includes fostering mutual understanding and constructing bridges of comprehension across divergent realities. Amid these objectives, we witness a dynamic interplay of expression styles, oscillating between contemplative elaboration and succinct conveyance.

NMIMS’s G20 Round Table working Committee, including Vice Chancellor Dr Ramesh Bhat, Pro VC Dr Sharad Mhaiskar, Dr Meena Galliara, Director, Jasani Center for Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability Management, School of Business Management, Dr Kaiwan Mehta, Dean, Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, and Ms Meena Saxena, Director, International Linkages, participated, alongside the Deans and Directors of all the schools/campuses.

 

School of Law, NMIMS, Bengaluru, in association with Boston University School of Law, United States proudly hosted the International Conference on Emerging Global Dimensions of Human Rights in the Contemporary Era held today (21st July, 2023).

The International Conference aimed to bring together legal scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and human rights’ activists to engage in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and propose innovative solutions to address the pressing human rights issues of our time.

The Inaugural Ceremony of the conference was commenced with lighting of the lamp by our Dr. Narayani Ramachandran Deputy Director of NMIMS, Bengaluru, Dr. Tanmeet Kaur Sahiwal Chairperson of School of Law, NMIMS, Bengaluru and guests of Honour – Mr. Mysore Prasanna, Arbitrator & Mr. TG Ramakrishnan, Advocate. The lighting of the lamp was followed by an opening address by Dr. Tanmeet, Chairperson SOL, who expressed her gratitude for the participation of esteemed guests and highlighted the significance of exploring the emerging global dimensions of human rights in today's interconnected world. She emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches to address the evolving challenges faced by individuals and communities worldwide. Following that Dr. Narayani welcomed the delegates and congratulated SOL and BU SOL for the initiative.

Shri S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was the Chief guest for the Inaugural ceremony. While owing to an exigency he could not join us in person, he sent a video recorded message for the delegates. He congratulated the entire management of NMIMS, and shared encouraging words of praise for the collaboration.

Justice Sant Prakash, Chairperson Punjab Human Rights Commission, renowned for his unparalleled eminence in the judicial service, delivered the Keynote Address. He highlighted the importance of human rights protection, and discussed the crucial role of academia, legal professionals, and activists in promoting and safeguarding human rights.

Prof Rebecca Pendleton, Faculty Director, Boston University also addressed the gathering and shared her insightful thoughts regarding the relevance of academic exploration of the new realms of human rights.

An abstract book, compiling all the abstracts received was also released at the ceremony. It was released by Dr. Narayani & Dr. Tanmeet, and received by Mr. Prasanna & Mr. TG Ramakrishnan.

The inaugural ceremony of the international conference served as an inspirational and thought provoking start to an event that would foster critical dialogue, innovative ideas, and transformative actions. It set the stage for the 14 technical sessions and created a sense of purpose and urgency among participants to work towards a world where human rights are protected, respected, and upheld for all.
More details can be found here: https://www.lawctopus.com/international-conference-on-human-rights-in-the-contemporary-era-by-nmims-bengaluru-july-21-submit-by-june-15/

The Restoration Toolbox is an open-source digital platform that is a space for stakeholders to connect and access resources and networks that enables them to initiate collaborative projects to save community heritage spaces. The innovatively curated program makes technical information accessible and available to a large range of stakeholders. The Restoration Toolbox is one of 8 most innovative projects for international cultural relations chosen as part of the EUNIC 2023 Space of Culture. Website - https://therestorationtoolbox.com/?locale=en 

Venue: Balwant Sheth School of Architecture, SVKM’s NMIMS University, Mumbai

Date: 8^th July, 2023

Funded under: EU National Institutes for Culture programme

In collaboration with: Max Mueller Bhavan / Goethe Institut Mumbai

Mentors: Ms Aishwarya Tipnis, Ms Hinna Devisingh and Ms Amruta Nemivant

Faculty In-charge: Ms Tapan Deshpande and Ms Arti Daga

Attendees: 2^nd and 5^th Year Students

No. of Attendees: 22 students 

The Workshop experience: The 6-hour workshop conducted by the Restoration Toolbox team, through the process of gamification, was an interactive initiative that helped familiarize the students with the concept of Restoration and Heritage. The workshop was divided in 4 parts. The first started with ice breakers and then instigating the students to think about what heritage means to them and its’ condition today. The second part started with making 4 groups (each with 4/5 students), each group was made to focus on restoring any one of the following - a heritage precinct, a community space, a monument or a heritage building. In the third part, by a game way, they mapped out the entire process using 2 deck of cards (one with various people and the other with operation mechanisms/ tools), taking up roles of people who would be involved, choosing the right tools to restore and think of creative ways to come up with solutions to ‘keep alive’ the selection for two more decades was the challenge given. Cards representing roles and tools were provided along with a ‘recipe’ sheets which helped the students explore and establish their line of action as a group, the use of ‘post it’ notes and cards as building blocks eased, allowed flexibility and facilitated the creation of the action plan. A review was done and feedback was given by the experts. Eventually, in the last part the students signed up on the Restoration Toolbox website and then created their campaign online which they made to save the building, with help of the mentors’ guidance. 

Learnings: Students are in a better position to appreciate heritage buildings and precincts in a deeper and richer way. It was understood that the process of restoration is complex and has several participants, each with a different and vital role to play. The students understood the holistic process of restoration and importance of archiving. The stimulating and game way methodology of conduct made students build a better relationship with each other by working together and exchanging their ideas. It helped them to realize that they can make a change. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." 

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Ms Meena Saxena Director International Linkages was speaker at the FICCI Higher education Workshop

The FICCI Higher Education Committee organised a workshop on the 'University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2022', focusing on academic collaborations between Indian and foreign higher educational institutions for twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programs. This virtual workshop was held on Friday 14th July, 2022

Esteemed experts from the education sector who shared their valuable insights and experiences on this crucial topic. Meena Saxena , Director International linkages was invited to speak at this workshop along with esteemed speaks which included Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Chair, FICCI Higher Education Committee & Pro Chancellor, Symbiosis International University Dr. (Mrs.) Manju Singh, Joint Secretary, University Grants Commission (UGC); Dr. Srinivasan Madapusi, Senior Professor & Director, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus; Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean-International Relations, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee; Dr. Anita Patankar, Director, Symbiosis Centre for International Education, SYMBIOSIS INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY; Prof Dr Rajan Saxena, Hon. Advisor, FICCI Higher Education Committee. Over 150 scholars, academic experts, heads of higher-ed institutions, government officials, and members of the FICCI secretariat team participated in the workshop.

On 21st June 2023, NMIMS Bangalore celebrated International Yoga Day with great joy and enthusiasm with the help of the Lakshya Committee. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including approximately 150 students from the MBA-14 and MBA-13 batches and the college's dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff. The event aimed to promote the practice of Yoga and raise awareness about its numerous benefits for overall well-being. NMIMS Bangalore collaborated with Yoga Bharti, an organisation known for its expertise in teaching and promoting Yoga. The event left a lasting impression on all those involved, inspiring them to continue incorporating Yoga into their daily lives for a healthier and more balanced existence.

Mumbai 10^th May, 2023 : NMIMS  School of Business Management (SBM) hosted a delegation from Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Canada, on 10^th May. The delegation for the two-week study visit to India was led by Dr. Hamed Aghakhani, Professor of Marketing and Dr. Binod Sundarajan, Director & Professor of Management, both from the Faculty of Management. NMIMS SBM & Dept of International Linkages provided a platform for participants to learn about the Indian Fintech Industry, Indian Economy and doing business in India to broaden their knowledge about various aspects of rapidly globalizing Indian Economy

The morning session featured two eminent Industry speakers Mr. Achal Mittal, Co-founder of Luquiloans and Mr Satyam Manohar, Dabur-Business PnL Head – West and  earlier VP Business at Paytm. Mr Mittal talked about the use technology to match borrowers and lenders making borrowing cheaper and providing a more lucrative investment opportunity as compared to traditional investment avenues. Mr Manohar provided an overview of the Fintech industry. The afternoon session was led by NMIMS SBM Faculty Dr Chandrima Sikdar, Associate Dean and Professor who shared insights on Indian Economy the second fasted growing market in Asia and how Indian market with its one billion plus population, presents lucrative and diverse opportunities for Canadian businesses. Prof Papiya De Communications Area Chairperson, talked about India being multilingual, multi-ethnic society, with notable cultural differences across the 28 states and how business is rooted in building long-term relationship. She spiced up her session with several examples and videos. 

Dr. Hamed Aghakhani, Professor of Marketing, Rowe School of Business, said, "I would like to express my gratitude for this opportunity. During our visit, we were deeply impressed by the advancements in India’s fintech industry. In comparison to the countries I’ve explored, India’s payment infrastructure stands out as exemplary. In Canada, we mostly use credit and physical cards, and the QR code system is not as prevalent. Currently, in Canada, vendors have to pay 2-3% transaction fees to the banks or service providers, which is a burden both to the vendors and eventually the customers. One aspect of the UPI infrastructure is that payment processing can be much simpler and more accessible to a wide range of vendors and clients. We are aware of the developments in India, such as the UPI system, and aspire to have a similar technology to enhance our financial systems." 

The delegation’s visit to India was a part of an international experience course, “Doing Business in Emerging Markets,” offered by the Rowe School of Business. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the traditional challenges and opportunities Canadian businesses face when expanding their business to emerging markets, including those in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern and Central Europe. The group consisted of 12 students from their Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Management, and Corporate Residency Master of Business Administration (CRMBA) programs. 

Rachel Hammond, an MBA student at Dalhousie University, said her biggest takeaway from her visit to NMIMS Mumbai was, "Being here  and learning about fintech, it is so clear how advanced India is, and how much we as students and Canadians have to learn about India, the UPI system and its other advancements in fintech.. It is also impressive to see the partnership between the government and private industries in making things like the UPI system possible. I really admire that about India. I think that coming home with this understanding and realising what's possible is remarkable, and that's my biggest takeaway."