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IIM Jammu, IIT Jammu, AIIMS Jammu, with DICCI holds a National Conference on G20 University Connect: Priorities, Prospects, and Way Forward for Creating Inclusive and Sustainable Society
26th April 2024, Jammu:
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), and Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, J & K Bank organized one day National Conference on India’s G20 University Connect: Priorities, Prospects, and Way Forward for Creating Inclusive and Sustainable Society” on 26 April 2023 at the Convention Centre, Jammu.
The essence of India’s G20 presidency is embodied in the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future“, which is conformity with the ancient Sanskrit ethos “Vasudahaiva Kutumbakam”. The G20 Presidency of India also marks the beginning of “Amritkaal“, leading to the centenary of its Independence towards a prosperous, inclusive, and futuristic society backed by a human-centric approach at its core. The event commenced with the Saraswati Vandana followed by the lighting of the lamp.
Prof. (Dr) B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu in his welcome address stated that India’s leadership in addressing key issues such as climate change, digitalization, gender equality, and sustainable development will be transformative for itself and the entire world at large. The discussions on key engagement groups in this National Conference hosted by IIM, IIT, AIIMS, and DICCI would act as the voice of the global ecosystem bringing together varied stakeholders on a common platform. He also highlighted that everyone should join hands together to dedicate their lives to the service of the nation and society.
The conference’s Guest of Honour, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, spoke about the critical role of sustainability in mitigating climate change. He emphasized that there is no planet B and that sustainability is not an option but a necessity. “Climate change is a global crisis that requires urgent action from all of us,” said Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta. “There is no planet B, and we must take immediate steps to promote sustainable development. Sustainability is not an option but an imperative for the well-being of our planet and future generations.
The conference’s Chief Guest, Shri. Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Jammu, and Kashmir, spoke about the critical role of premier institutes in providing a competitive edge to India’s youth to create sustainable solutions for humanity. He emphasized the importance of the National Education Policy and committed to realizing the goals of sustainability. Shri. Manoj Sinha highlighted the importance of the National Education Policy in providing holistic and multidisciplinary education to students. He mentioned that the policy will equip students with the necessary skills to create sustainable solutions for the future.
Prof. (Dr) Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, spoke about the joint ability of IIT, IIM, and AIIMS Jammu in creating sustainable synergies. He also emphasized that National Conference on G20 Goals will further facilitate greater knowledge-sharing in priority areas like digital public infrastructure, financial inclusion, and tech-enabled development in sectors ranging from agriculture to education by addressing the challenges in the 21st century.
Prof. (Dr) Shakti Gupta, Executive Director & CEO, of AIIMS Jammu, encouraged the audience to think big and aspire for goals that have no bounds in the pursuit of knowledge, excellence in education, and research, to serve the community. He reiterated that Under the G20 motto of One Earth, One Family, One Future, India is working towards greater collaboration and sustained efforts across the digital health ecosystem. Leveraging its G20 presidency, India is also encouraging the development of a common global platform for sharing medical countermeasures, technical knowledge, digital infrastructure, and cost-effective digital health solutions.
Dr. Sharad K. Saraf, Chairman, BoG, IIT Jammu, expressed his hopes that India’s G20 will evolve into economic operative corporations and cultural corporations. He stressed that the National Conference on G20 Goals would focus on strengthening the use of digital technologies to enhance student learning opportunities and outcomes and leverage digital technologies for the education of special children. The participants will also share best practices relating to the use of digital technologies to promote inclusive and equitable quality education.
Prof (Dr.) Y.K Gupta, President, of AIIMS Jammu appreciated the unity of IIM, IIT, and AIIMS. He cited that the National Conference on G20 Goals is a unique platform that brings people from various domains together to connect, share ideas and experiences, and deliberate on finding innovative solutions to pressing global concerns.
Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu, focused not only on growth but also the achievement of SDG globally. In his inaugural address, he mentioned that the National Conference on G20 goals would realize the full potential of the digital economy and address the challenges with respect to gaps in access to connectivity, digital marginalization of economic groups, skewed infrastructure quality, and the gaps in levels of digital literacy. This will help to pioneer a platform for promoting diversity and inclusion in the business and industry sectors till the grassroots level.
Prof. (Dr) Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, told the audience that the three institutes of national importance, IIM, IIT, and AIIMS Jammu, are moving together and joining hands with the Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir to achieve every goal of the nation.
On this occasion, IIM Jammu Hindi Patrika, “Trikuta,” was unveiled by Chief Guest Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Lt. Governor of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and Guest of Honor, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, Union Territory of J & K in the presence of all the other dignitaries present on the dais. Also, IIT Jammu launched Sharad Saraf Center for Ayurveda and Indic Studies.
After the inaugural session, the conference began the panel discussion sessions. The first panel discussion was on the topic, “Enhancing G20 Collaboration: Roles of Engagement Groups Chaired by Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu, and the keynote speaker. The panel members for the first session were Shri Sanjiv Dangi, Vice-President, DICCI, Member B20 Task Force on Future of Works, Skilling & Mobility and CII Task Force on Affirmative Action, Shri Avinash Punekar, CEO, iCreate, Dr. Swadesh Singh, Sous Sherpa, Shri Harsh Shah, U20, Technical Secretariat, Shri Abhishek Malhotra, Secretary, Partnerships, Dept. of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India.
Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu, mentioned that National Conference on G20 goals will help to pioneer a platform for promoting diversity and inclusion in the business and industry sectors to the grassroots level. Shri. Abhishek Malhotra, Secretary of Partnerships and Finance, emphasized the importance of including the youth in the process of planning for the future of India. Shri. Harsh Shah, Technical Secretariat of U20, spoke about the potential for cities to become engines of economic growth through the implementation of circular economy principles. Shri. Sanjiv Dangi, Vice President of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) emphasized the importance of continuity and upskilling in today’s rapidly changing world. Shri. Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, recently spoke about the key factors that are essential for startups to succeed and emphasized that hard work, patience, and innovation are critical for any startup to gain momentum and achieve success. Dr. Swadesh Singh, Sous Sherpa, stressed the importance of a human-centric approach in Indian society. He also mentioned that we need to recognize the importance of civil society in shaping our nation and the role it plays in promoting social cohesion, inclusiveness, and sustainable development.
The second panel discussion revolved around the topic, Enhancing Digital Transformation, to be chaired by Shri Manoj Chugh, Keynote Speaker, Former President, Group Public Affairs, Mahindra Group and Former President, Tech Mahindra Ltd with panel members ranging from Dr. Angel Rajan Singh, Additional Professor, AIIMS, New Delhi, Shri Ashok Jade, Global CIO, Kirloskar Brothers, Shri Manish Grover, Executive Director, Strategic IS & IS, Indian Oil Corporation, Dr. B.K. Murthy, General Manager, Projects, NIXI-CSC Data, Center Services Ltd., National Internet Exchange of India, Dr. Shubham Saran, General Manager, Business Development, National Internet Exchange of India.
Shri. Manoj Chugh, Former President, of Group Public Affairs, at Mahindra Group, and Former President, of Tech Mahindra Ltd. emphasized the need to focus on literacy in India as a top priority. According to him, Education is the backbone of our society, and literacy is where we need to put our action plan. Shri. Manish Grover, Executive Director (Strategic IS & IS) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited, emphasized digitalization has become a necessity, and it is essential to embrace it to stay competitive and relevant. Dr. Angel Rajan Singh, Additional Professor at AIIMS New Delhi, stated that technology should be used as an enabler to augment our capabilities, not replace them. Dr. B.K. Murthy, General Manager, Projects, NIXI-CSC Data, Center Services Ltd, emphasized the importance of protecting data and maintaining sovereignty during the conference. According to him, a secure and encrypted cloud infrastructure provides end-to-end data protection and sovereignty to users. Dr. Shubham Saran, General Manager, Business Development, at National Internet Exchange of India explained that technology has made remarkable advancements in recent years, and it has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate.
The Third-panel discussion was on the topic of Global Trade and Business Recovery: Challenges and the Way Forward, chaired by Dr. Sharad. K. Saraf, Keynote Speaker and Chairman, BoG, IIT Jammu, with panel members ranging from Shri Kuldeep Raj Wattal, Ex-Chairman, Carpet Export Promotion Council, Shri Khalid Khan, Vice-Chairman, Federation of Indian Export Organization. Shri Romesh Khajuria, Chairman, Wool and Woolen Export Promotion Council, Shri Annil Suri, Chairman AB Group of Companies, Dr. S.P Singh, Chief General Manager, Venture, and Investment Vertical, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
Dr Sharad K. Saraf, Chairman, BoG, IIT Jammu mentioned that the economic boundaries of the country are getting blurred. Shri. Kuldeep Wattal, Ex-Chairman, Carpet Export Promotion Council, discussing “Global Trade and Business Recovery stressed on focusing on employment is crucial because it reduces the need for people to commute from the rural to metropolitan cities in search of livelihood. Shri. Anil Suri, Chairman of A B Group of companies mentioned that Startups should be enforced with a vision not only with investment. Dr. S.P. Singh, Chief General Manager (Venture Investment Vertical) Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) reiterated that India has achieved 770 billion exports in terms of merchandise and services. Shri. Khalid Khan, Vice President, of the Federation of Indian Export Organization stressed that the new economy is going to take over as the old economy supports and sustains.
The fourth topic of the discussion is NextGen Health and G20 Presidency to be chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Y.K. Gupta, Keynote Speaker, President, AIIMS Jammu with panel members ranging from Prof. (Dr.) Nitin. M. Nagarkar, Director, AIIMS, Raipur, Lt. General (Dr.) Sunil Kant, Medical Superintendent, AIIMS Jammu, Dr. Ajit K. Nagpal, Chairman, BoG, Ritnand Balved Medical Foundation, An Umbrella Organization of Amity Schools of Medicines.
Prof. (Dr) Y. K. Gupta, President, of AIIMS Jammu said that the crux of the next generation is walking toward transplants. Artificial Intelligence has created chip humans. According to him, we need to determine a joint solution and offer it to the people who need it the most Dr. Ajit K. Nagpal, Chairman, BoG, Ritnand Balved Medical Foundation, An Umbrella Organization of Amity Schools of Medicine appreciated the initiatives taken by IIM, IIT, and AIIMS in teaching the youth about stainability. As per him, public policy discussions in India often center on PPP as a means of improving citizens’ access to healthcare and the financial system. Prof. (Dr) Nitin M. Nagarkar, Director, AllMS Raipur appreciated India as it is a powerhouse of medicine of all kinds- Ayurveda and Allopathic. India has the potential to come up with the best medicines. The youth need to be motivated to utilize these resources and provide the world with the best solutions to problems faced by people.
The fifth topic of panel discussion revolves around the topic of University Connect: Enhancing Global Collaboration in Higher Education to be chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Gupta, Keynote Speaker and Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu with panel members featuring Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu, Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kashmir, Air Marshal (Dr.) Pawan Kapoor, Retd VSM, Vice-Chairman, Russian Education Commission and Vice-Chancellor, Guyana American University. During the panel discussion, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, of IIM Jammu emphasized that in India about 1.3 million students go abroad in 2022, and another 1.5 million will do so in 2023. Therefore, IIMs, IITs, and AIIMS are contemplating opening campuses in other countries. Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, of IIT Jammu stressed students need to be more adventurous to prove themselves differently. Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, reiterated that our education must connect with the challenges of society. Prof. Nilofer Khan, the Vice-Chancellor, The University of Kashmir, mentioned that COVID time had taught us that it is not necessary for physical interaction as online classes proceed with UGC engaging with foreign campuses and universities. Air Marshal (Dr.) Pawan Kapoor, Retd VSM, Vice-Chairman, Russian Education Commission and Vice-Chancellor, Guyana American University stressed that we need to think globally act locally and be vocal.
Post the five interesting panel discussions, the event was followed by the valedictory ceremony. The valedictory ceremony included addresses by Prof B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu followed by Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu. Chief Guest Shri Jugal Kishore Sharma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Jammu cited that G20 meetings are being conducted across India and it has been made possible owing to the farsighted vision of Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. He also complimented the way COVID-19 was very well handled by India as a nation. He mentioned that India as a nation believes in the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and is marching ahead on the path of becoming Vishwa Guru. The Guest of honor for the valedictory ceremony Shri R.R. Bhatnagar, Advisor to Hon’ble, Lt. Governor, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir reiterated that G20 is enthusing all sections of the society and creating a sense of pride for our India amongst other nations. He also stressed that success doesn’t come to us easily, we have to work hard for it
The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Prabhat Munshi, IIT Jammu followed by the national anthem. The event ended on a positive note.
