ustice K S Hegde Institute of Management (JKSHIM), Nitte inaugurated the Doctoral Conclave and its 9th Nitte International Conference on ‘Sustainability Reimagined: Innovation, Inclusion, Impact & Futures’ on 9th January 2026. The 2-day conference was organized in association with Horizon University College, Ajman, UAE and Chanakya University, Bengaluru. The program was inaugurated by Dr. P G Diwakar, Director, Chanakya Centre for Sustainability, Chanakya University, Bengaluru.
The program began with a minute of silence in solemn remembrance of Late Sri N. Vinaya Hegde, Hon’ble Chancellor of Nitte University.
Prof. (Dr) Sudhir M, Director, JKSHIM welcomed the gathering. Dr. T Mallikarjunappa, Convener of the conference briefed about the conference theme. The inaugural oration was delivered by Dr. P G Diwakar, who spoke on sustainability from a space perspective. He explained how the view of Earth changes beyond 100 km above its surface and highlighted the impact of solar flares and satellites on life on Earth. He concluded by relating sustainability to the balance of the five basic elements, Panchabootha, emphasizing harmony as the key to a sustainable future.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Femida Handy spoke on sustainability as both an aspirational and theoretical concept. She explained how sustainability has evolved from merely avoiding harm to actively regenerating systems. Emphasizing the need to reimagine sustainability, she stressed addressing root causes rather than symptoms. Quoting, “the road to hell is always paved with good intentions,” she highlighted unintended consequences of well-meaning actions. She also discussed biomimicry as a way to solve human challenges by learning from nature.
Prof. (Dr.) Gopal Mugeraya, Vice President (Technical Education), Nitte University, spoke on converting waste into wealth. He highlighted practical approaches to sustainability and cited the example of using coal ash as a component in cement production.
Dr. N S Shetty, Professor Emeritus at JKSHIM, addressed the gathering on sustainable development from an economic perspective. He emphasized the need to integrate all aspects and viewpoints of sustainability and explained how addressing fundamental issues can effectively manage its various dimensions.
Guest of Honour, Prof. (Dr) Rahul Sharma, Associate Professor at Horizon University College, Ajman, UAE, remarked that while sustainability principles are widely practiced, the present need is to reimagine sustainability to meet emerging challenges.
The President of the inaugural program, Prof. (Dr) M S Moodithaya, Vice Chancellor, Nitte University, spoke about the two dimensions of change - scale and speed and their role in sustainability. He highlighted how sustainability can be leveraged as a competitive advantage.
Prof. Rakesh Shetty JKSHIM proposed the vote of thanks.
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