The Chronicles

Monthly Newsletter of NICMAR University Pune

Nurturing Ideas and Shaping the Built Environment of Tomorrow!!

April 2025, Volume 3, No. 4

NICMAR Business School (NBS), though still in its fledgling stage, has rapidly carved out a distinct identity within the academic community. At NBS, our vision is to go beyond the conventional Management education archetypes, while staying true to NICMAR's core values, which emphasize excellence, integrity, and innovation. As the global educational landscape evolves, even prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) are redefining their visions. For NBS, this presents both challenges and opportunities, which we are ready to tackle. We are committed to integrating these principles with contemporary management education to craft a unique identity for NBS.

To stay true to this vison, we have reconceptualized the 3R Framework – customizing it to suit our unique needs. At NBS the 3Rs stand to mean “Rethink, Reshape, and Realign”. This approach encourages continuous reflection and adaptation, ensuring that our curriculum remains relevant and our students are well-prepared to meet the demands of a dynamic global environment.

In the context of our 3R framework, Rethink involves re-evaluating management education's role, focusing on business dynamism, shorter cycles, customer orientation, ethics, sustainability, and integrated approaches. This has led to a holistic curriculum that addresses contemporary business practices.

Reshape emphasizes transforming our educational processes to be more student-centric and enabling. We achieve this by implementing frameworks such as experiential learning and case-based approaches, which immerse students in real-world scenarios and foster practical problem-solving skills. NBS distinguishes itself by integrating Harvard Business School case studies into our curriculum, a practice adopted by only a select number of business schools in India. We aim to eliminate administrative hurdles, creating a seamless academic experience that prepares students for the modern business world. By integrating real-world scenarios and fostering practical problem-solving skills, we ensure our students are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of today's business environment.

Realign ensures we stay responsive to global developments, like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, by adapting our policies, curriculum, and pedagogical approaches. This agility helps us maintain relevance and excellence in the dynamic educational landscape. By proactively implementing necessary modifications, we align promptly with required changes, ensuring our institution's continuous relevance.

As we embrace the principles of Rethink, Reshape, and Realign, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to everyone in the NICMAR fraternity and to those aspiring to join us in the near future!

warm regards,

Dr. Harish Singla

Dean, NICMAR Business School

Dr. Smita Patil
Chief Guest @International Women’s Day

Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, was honoured as the Chief Guest at the International Women’s Day Program organized by The Institution of Engineers, Pune Local Chapter, on March 17, 2025, in Shivaji Nagar, Pune.
She delivered a talk on “Leadership for Women,” highlighting the significance of leadership, inclusion, and opportunities for women in engineering and beyond. Thought-provoking discussions like this drive meaningful change and inspire future generations.

2025 CORENET GLOBAL SUMMIT APAC SINGAPORE

We emerged victorious at the CoreNet Global Academic Challenge 17, an international competition held as part of the CoreNet Global APAC Summit 2025 in Singapore on the theme of AI in Corporate Real Estate. Our winning team- Pradhyumna M. (Team Leader), Akshay Kalje and Akanksha Karande, guided by Dr. Sagar Malsane (Faculty Advisor) and Mr. Shirish Tare, developed an enterprise-level strategy for corporate real estate portfolios, maximizing AI’s potential while mitigating risks. The team is grateful for the support from CoreNet Global, Inc., which advances the field of Corporate Real Estate (CRE) through professional development and networking.

Annual International Research Conference ANVESH2K25

Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Samanta was invited as a Track Chair and Jury Member for Financial Management Track of the Annual International Research Conference ANVESH2K25; organised by SaiBalaji International Institute of Management Sciences(SBIIMS) and International Institute of Management and Human Resource Development, Pune in collaboration with Acacia University, Arizona, USA on March 28, 2025. The theme of the conference was Sustainability and DEI in the Digital Age: Perspectives & Innovation.

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Best Research Paper Award @PICOM

Dr. Sachin Batra and Dr. Ashish Rastogi received the Best Research Paper Award for their paper titled 'A Deep Dive into Algorithmic HRM: Exploring the What, Why, and How' at PICOM–20 International Conference on Redefining Business Transformation: Human-Machine Synergy in the Era of Industry 5.0. The conference was organized by Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Indore on February 22-23, 2025.

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CEMCON 2025 :

We organised a prestigious event dedicated to advancements in construction and concrete technology in collaboration with the Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) Pune Chapter- CEMCON 2025 on 21-22 March 2025. The Chief Guest for the event was Shri Sanjay Pant, Deputy Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards. Er. Suhas Bhise served as the Co-Convenor, while Er. Amit Haridas held the role of Chairman, ICI Pune Centre. The event was further enriched by the presence of Er. Rohan Undre in capacity of Treasurer ICI Pune Chapter, Mrs. Sucheta Kalewar, and Mr. Prasad Sevekari office bearers ICI Pune Chapter, making it a truly memorable occasion.

CEMCON 2025 served as a dynamic platform to exchange knowledge, showcase innovative solutions, and discuss emerging trends in the field of construction materials, structural engineering, and sustainable practices. The event featured insightful keynote sessions, and interactive discussions, fostering meaningful dialogues among participants. List of Esteemed Speakers for CEMCON 2025 were - Vijay R. Kulkarni (Founder-Director, Low Carbon Construct Forum); Ajay Singham (Director, Avcon Techniccs Pvt. Ltd.); Dr. Dinakar Pasla (Professor, IIT Bhubaneswar); Prof. S. Suriya Prakash (Professor, IIT Hyderabad); Peter Buitelaar (Independent Researcher); Dr. (Er.) Manish Mudgal (Chief Scientist, CSIR); Dr. Voo Yen Lei (Co-Founder, DURA® Technology Sdn Bhd); Bob Faulding (Founder, PBS Synergies Group); Dr. Manu Santhanam (Fellow of INAE, IIT Madras); Dr. Smitha Gopinath (Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-SERC) and Bendt Aarup (R&D Manager, Hi-Con A/S). Speakers shared their expertise on ultra-high-performance concrete, smart construction techniques, sustainable building materials, 3 D Concrete Printing, Red Mud concrete, textile Concrete and advancements in construction materials. The conference also included live demonstrations and exhibitions that highlighted cutting-edge technologies revolutionizing the construction sector.

Faculty Development Programme (FDP)

A training session on Effective Feedback and Goal Alignment was conducted for all faculty members on 12th March. This session was organized as a continuation of the goal-setting workshop previously held for the University leadership team. The training focused on Giving and Receiving Feedback, equipping faculty members with the skills to foster constructive communication and professional growth. Additionally, the session provided an overview of the goal-setting process for Deans, ensuring that faculty members are aligned with the leadership team’s approach. This initiative aimed to enhance clarity on expectations and reinforce a structured feedback culture within the university.

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Holi Celebration

On 13th March, the University came alive with vibrant hues and festive spirit as it hosted a brief celebration to mark the joyous festival of Holi. The event was graced by the presence of the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, who symbolically applied colours, extending warm wishes to all and emphasizing the importance of harmony, happiness, and cultural togetherness.

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Workshop on "Digital quality control using digiQC software"

Mr. Sumant Kachru, CEO (digiQC), conducted a workshop to establish the need for construction industry to have its own quality management system rather than use the systems that originated based on manufacturing industry. He further motivated the students to lead the digital revolution and enhance the productivity and quality of construction. Ms. Sohini explained the features of digiQC and conducted the hands-on practice on the application of digiQC software for effective inspection and quality control for construction projects. The workshop was enthusiastically attended by all sections of ACM who conducted over 3000 inspections & raised over 1500 instructions on the digiQC mobile app.

Guest Session

Mr. Dhiraj Rajani conducted a session on “Real World Implementation of Project Risk Management". He is a distinguished Project Management Professional with significant experience in the Industrial and Oil and Gas sector. During this session, real-life mitigation strategies and the Risk Register were discussed in detail. This session was a part of the course “Construction Project Risk Management.” Students from MBA APM, M.Tech, CTM & IPM, and PGD QSCM also attended guest session along with MBA ACM students.

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Expert Talk

Mr. Omkar Bendre, Head – Quality, Adani Realty, conducted a session on “Quality - From Design to Delivery”. The session provided valuable insights into the importance of incorporating Quality from the design stage itself explaining the process till delivery of project, Mr. Bendre also discussed the future of construction technology using Artificial Intelligence and Robotics both in India and globally.

Expert Talk

The School of Construction, hosted an expert talk on “Construction Quality 4.0” delivered by Mr. Rajkumar Jogdankar (Chair Construction - ASQ India Section). He shared valuable insights into the growing importance of digital innovations in latest construction technology and practices, highlighting enhanced precision, transparency, and efficiency. He also discussed the implementation and application of 3-D printing in construction

United Voices: Celebrating Diversity – International Women’s Day at NICMAR University, Pune

In the spirit of fostering inclusivity and empowerment and in line with the UGC theme for this year, ‘Stronger Her, Fitter Future’, Genesis club and Internal Committee for POSH of NICMAR University proudly organized a one-day celebration of International Women’s Day under the theme "United Voices: Celebrating Diversity”, on 05-03-2025. The event brought together creativity, awareness, and collective expression to honour the strength, resilience, and contributions of men and women in society. An ‘Open Forum’ and an ‘Open mic’ session was arranged for female faculty and staff members of the university. The event provided a nice platform for everyone to share challenges, inspirations and stories which gave strength and helped to commemorate the indomitable spirit of womanhood! After this, an event comprising of drama performance, poetry competition and recitation and musical performances was organised in the main auditorium for students, faculty and staff. Dr. Anil Kashyap, Chancellor, NICMAR University, Pune and Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, guided everyone on this occasion. Students gave wonderful performances. Prizes were distributed for the events conducted. The event truly reflected the essence of "United Voices", bringing together perspectives and talents to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and progress!

Our commitment to diverse placement opportunities is exemplified by our month-on-month placement milestones. In March 2025, we witnessed a plethora of opportunities for our students for Final Placements as well as Internships. Organizations like FORT Hill Associates, Vasudha Realty, TATA Realty,SPCL Oman, Balajee Infratech, Sgurr Energy, Astral Pipes, Emaar India, Shivakriti International, Sobha Realty, Vestian Global, Gada Group, Asian Paints, Sajjan Infra , and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) were the notable participants this month. We look forward to seeing more companies join us for future campus placements, offering students new avenues to explore their career paths. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed recruiters for their ongoing trust and support.

Chief Patron

Dr. Anil Kashyap

President and Chancellor,
NICMAR University, Pune

Patron

Dr. Mrs. Sushma S. Kulkarni

Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University, Pune

Advisor

Dr. Rahul Deshpande

Dean QA, NICMAR University, Pune

Editor

Dr. Vandana Bhavsar

Associate Professor, NICMAR University, Pune

Editor

Dr. Soumi Rai

Associate Professor, NICMAR University, Pune

Assistant Editor

Dr. Shripada Patil

Assistant Professor, NICMAR University, Pune

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