ICCRIP 2025: Panel Discusison on the Future of Civil Engineering and Construction Management in India.

NICMAR University, Pune successfully hosted the 9th International Conference on Construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Project Management (ICCRIP 2025) on August 22–23, 2025, at its Pune campus. The two-day international event brought together thought leaders from academia, industry, government, and research institutions to discuss emerging trends and future directions in the CRIP sector.
The conference was held under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Vijay Gupchup (President), Dr. Sushma Kulkarni (Vice Chancellor), and Dr. Rajni Kant Rajhans (Dean – Research and Development, and Conference Convener). ICCRIP 2025 featured six major tracks: Research Papers, Case Studies, Doctoral Colloquium, Practitioners’ Perspectives, Industry Showcase, and Hackathon. Out of over 300 global submissions, 220 were selected for presentation, including 44 doctoral colloquium and 23 practitioner presentations, representing contributions from more than 18 countries.
The Inaugural Function was graced by Mr. Arjun Dhawan, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. Keynote speakers included Mr. Amit Prothi (Director General, CDRI) and Mr. M. V. Satish (Executive Committee Member & Advisor to CMD, L&T). An engaging panel discussion on “Future of Civil Engineering and Construction Management Education in India”, moderated by Dr. Sushma Kulkarni (Vice Chancellor), featured key experts such as Dr. Mangesh G. Korgaonker, Mr. N. R. Acharyulu, Dr. Koshy Varghese, and Mr. Ritesh Pratap Singh.
On Day 01 of the 9th International Conference on Construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure, and Project Management (ICCRIP 2025) featured a thought-provoking Panel Discussion on the theme “Future of Civil Engineering and Construction Management Education in India.” The session was moderated by Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, NICMAR University, Pune, and brought together an eminent panel of leaders from academia and industry: 1. Dr. Mangesh G. Korgaonker – Former Director General, NICMAR 2. Mr. N. R. Acharyulu – Former Director, HCC Ltd. 3. Dr. Koshy Varghese – Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras 4. Mr. Ritesh Pratap Singh – CHRO, Tata Projects Ltd. The panel addressed emerging trends, challenges, and innovative approaches shaping the future of civil engineering and construction management education in India. Discussions centered on the need to bring reforms that can attract young students to these programs by incorporating artificial intelligence, digital technologies, robotics, automation, and advanced software applications, while also ensuring that the fundamentals of the core discipline remain central. The session sparked engaging dialogue and opened new perspectives for strengthening academia–industry collaboration to build future-ready professionals in the built environment sector.

Vice Chancellor Graces Valedictory Function at College of Military Engineering

Dr. Sushma Kulkarni, Vice Chancellor, was the distinguished guest at the Valedictory Function of the Officers’ Induction Program, held at the College of Military Engineering. The Vice Chancellor shared the podium with Lt. Gen. A. K. Ramesh, SM, and commended Director Dr. A. K. Agarwal for the impeccable organisation and success of the event.

Bridging the Gap: VC Fosters Industry-Academia Collaboration at L&T

Vice Chancellor Dr. Sushma Kulkarni joined an exclusive conclave of thought leaders, invited by Mr. S. N. Subrahmanyan (SNS), Chairman & Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro, in Mumbai on August 28, 2025.
The high-level forum brought together the nation's eminent academics and L&T's senior leadership to deliberate on cutting-edge technological trends. This dynamic interaction catalyzed forging powerful collaborations, setting the stage for future innovation in education and industry-relevant research.

Expert Session on Empowering Youth to Lead Social Change

Genesis – The Gender Championship Club, in association with the Equal Opportunity Cell, hosted an impactful session by Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director of the Centre for Social Research, Delhi. The renowned social activist and author addressed critical themes such as gender justice, equality, and the role of youth in driving inclusive social change.
Dr. Kumari challenged attendees to rethink leadership and urban design through a lens of equity, asking: “Will you build bridges only of concrete, or also of equality and dignity?” Key discussion points included gender-sensitive urban planning, digital dignity, and cyber safety.
The event also featured a special interaction with women faculty and members of the Internal Committee (POSH) and Equal Opportunity Cell, further strengthening the dialogue on inclusivity and equal opportunities on campus.

Leadership Talk Series on Academic Leadership

The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) organized the first session of its Leadership Talk Series on 6th August 2025. The keynote speaker, Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director, IIM Nagpur, shared his rich knowledge and experience with academic leaders.
The initiative aims to foster dialogue on the challenges faced by institutions operating in niche areas of higher education such as Management, Banking, Insurance, Social Sciences, and Humanities.
Dr. Metri highlighted the evolving role of academic leaders in driving excellence, emphasizing on Visionary leadership & innovation; Institutional strategy & transformation along with a focus on Quality assurance in building globally competitive institutions.
The session also included a Q&A, where practical strategies for effective academic leadership were discussed. Participants appreciated the relevance and timeliness of the talk, which provided valuable insights into innovative practices for addressing sector-specific challenges.

Session on ‘Introduction to the AACSB Accreditation’

An enlightening session on “Introduction to the AACSB Accreditation” was held on 11th August 2025, delivered by Mr. Prathap Das, Regional Head – South Asia, AACSB International. The session was organized for academic leaders to understand the roadmap and strategic steps toward AACSB accreditation.
The session explored the strategic drivers, global impact, and benefits of AACSB accreditation by continuous learning through events and conferences
The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants shared experiences and explored various aspects of the accreditation process.

Industry Expert Session on ‘Tunnel Grouting Techniques’

An insightful session on “Tunnel Grouting Techniques” was held on 13th August 2025, delivered by Shri. Debabrata Sain, General Manager, Komatsu India. Conducted as part of the course Construction Methods and Technology, the session covered:

• Overview of the underground construction industry
• Scope of underground activities
• Challenges in tunnel projects
• Role of grouts in tunnel stabilization
• Latest trends in grouting procedures

The talk concluded with an engaging Q&A, where participants explored practical aspects of tunnel grouting operations.

Industry Talk Series: August Highlights

NICMAR University, Pune recently hosted two enriching Industry Expert Talks, providing students with practical knowledge and career guidance.
Ms. Neha Dugal, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Batson-Cook Texas, LLC, Dallas, USA, led a session on “How to Run a Construction Company.” She shared valuable insights into business development, marketing, finance, and HR within the U.S. construction sector, helping students connect academic concepts with real-world industry practices.
In another session, Mr. Shekhar Sharma, Director – Finance & Controlling, and Mr. Saurabh Bansal, Head – Talent Acquisition from Hilti India, engaged students on the theme “Rethink What Your Career Could Be.” They discussed diverse career pathways, the need for evolving skill sets, and strategies to navigate today’s dynamic job market. An interactive Q&A allowed students to gain clarity on professional growth and industry expectations.
Both talks emphasized the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and strategic thinking in building successful careers.

Induction Program 2025: A Memorable Start for B.Tech & B.Arch Students

The Induction Programme 2025 for new B.Tech and B.Arch students was held from July 28 to August 1, 2025, marking the beginning of their academic journey. Designed to ease the transition into university life, the week-long program introduced students to academics, faculty, and support systems while fostering personal and professional growth.
It included workshops on personality development, self-awareness, and creativity; sessions on academics, examinations, inclusivity (ICC, Genesis Club), MOOCs, library, and IT systems. Additionally, it also featured immersive guest lectures by industry experts including Mr. Sreekant Sreedhar (L&T), Ar. Anita Dake (Vector Design), Mr. Ashish Tiwari, and Mr. Sarang V. Gosavi. Students also enjoyed morning yoga sessions for wellness and mindfulness and an Outbound tour to heritage sites like Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, and Shinde Chhatri.
“Celebrating Diversity through Language” initiative was also introduced, where students and faculty wrote “Welcome” in multiple languages.
The program successfully blended academic orientation, cultural immersion, industry exposure, and student bonding, creating a memorable start to the batch of 2025.

Next-Gen Surveying Workshop

A one-day workshop on “Next-Gen Surveying: Hands-on Geospatial Skills for Future Civil Engineers & Architects – from Stakeout to SLAM” was held on 13th August 2025 in collaboration with Lawrence & Mayo.
Experts Mr. Anil Kale, Mr. Prasad Parte, and Mr. Vijay Thorat guided students through modern surveying tools such as Total Station, DGPS, and LiDAR-based mapping. With live demonstrations and interactive sessions, participants gained valuable hands-on experience in advanced geospatial techniques.
The workshop was highly appreciated for bridging classroom learning with real-world applications and boosting student confidence in applying next-gen surveying technologies to future projects.

Expert Talk – Exploring Innovation Management

As part of an Industry–Academic Connect initiative, Dr. Sachin Wadikhaye, Enterprise Innovation Expert at Eaton, Pune, delivered an engaging session on “Exploring Innovation Management” on 7th August.
Dr. Sachin highlighted how the shrinking product life cycle makes innovation management a critical driver of competitive advantage. He cautioned against the risk of an “Innovation Blackhole”—where ideas fade due to lack of nurturing—urging organizations to adopt systematic innovation practices.
The session provided management students with practical insights into enterprise innovation, equipping them for careers in dynamic, fast-changing industries.

Workshop on Equity Management

On 20th August, an interactive workshop on Equity Management was organised by NICMAR Business School, conducted by Mr. Purv Shah, experienced equity market consultant and capital market trainer.
The session explored key behavioral biases—including overconfidence, herd mentality, loss aversion, and confirmation bias—that influence investment decisions. Mr. Shah also shared practical insights on combining fundamental and technical analysis to evaluate businesses and market trends effectively.
The workshop offered management students valuable exposure to equity management, helping them sharpen their investment decision-making skills and prepare for real-world financial challenges.

Workshop on Discipline and Time Management

On August 20, NICMAR Business School had the privilege of hosting Mr. Ravi Baviskar, Founder of Dnyan-Ni-Daan and Chairperson of ISTD Pune Chapter, for an enriching workshop with IMBA students. Drawing on his 25+ years of industry experience, Mr. Baviskar highlighted the importance of discipline, punctuality, and time management as cornerstones of personal and professional success. Through practical insights and real-life examples, he emphasized how consistency shapes character, punctuality reflects respect for time, and smart time management drives productivity. The interactive session inspired students to adopt these timeless values as habits for lifelong growth.

Workshop on Financial Modelling

NICMAR Business School organized a workshop on “Financial Modelling and Feasibility Analysis” on 30th August, conducted by Mr. Medhul Ved, Vice President at Ernst & Young LLP. The session provided MBA and Master in Family Business & Entrepreneurship students with practical exposure to Excel-based financial modelling and project feasibility assessment. Mr. Ved’s expertise helped students grasp key financial concepts and apply them in real-world contexts. The interactive workshop enhanced their analytical and decision-making skills, preparing them for careers in finance, consulting, and entrepreneurship. This initiative reflects NICMAR’s commitment to bridging academic knowledge with industry practice and fostering professional growth

Birthday Celebrations

As we continue the tradition of celebrating birthdays to appreciate the wonderful people we work with, we came together at the end of August to celebrate our colleagues born in this month. Along with our August-born colleagues, we were honoured to celebrate the birthdays of our Vice Chancellor, Madam and Interim Director General Sir this month. It was a joyful occasion filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared sense of camaraderie as we wrapped up another productive month on a cheerful note.