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- Over 100 research scholars to present papers in online and hybrid mode
- Conducted after two years in hybrid mode, the conference to be a blend of various workshops and expert sessions
The 12th edition of the Conference on Excellence in Research and Education – CERE, commenced at IIM Indore on June 03, 2022. The three-day conference is being conducted in a hybrid mode. Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, inaugurated the conference. Prof. Abhishek Mishra, Chair – FPM, IIM Indore; and Prof. Vivek Suneja, Dean – FMS Delhi, were also present on occasion.
In his inaugural address, Prof. Rai shared his views about how leadership needs to change amidst digital transformation, especially concerning education and research. Mentioning that initially, business schools focused on enhancing their students’ business acumen and management skills, he said that now is the right time for the educational institutions to adapt to the digital change and focus on the fundamental roots of management and leadership. ‘We as academicians now need to focus on creating, advancing, and disseminating knowledge. It’s time that we as educational institutions start practicing what we preach and implement that in every domain – education, research, government, administration, etc.’, he said. The digital decade has led us into a world where participants now choose how, when and what they wish to study. This has to be bolstered with curating knowledge by augmenting the curiosity to find answers through a digital platform and by understanding the Be-Know-Do Framework. Explaining further, he suggested the conference participants ‘Be’ compassionate towards everyone. ‘Our job is not to merely comply with the industry requirements but also to educate the industry. As scholars and educators, we also need to challenge the industry for their decisions, rather than just conducting research and finding solutions for their problems’, he said. He suggested that one needs to ‘Know’ their true identity, find out what they are passionate about, and not rely on their designation. ‘As a human, we are often tempted to take shortcuts. But ensure that you always do the right thing. If ever you feel fear or shame while making a decision, or have a doubt in your mind – don’t do it’, he concluded.
Prof. Suneja shared some brilliant insights on how artificial intelligence has impacted our lives, but it remains ‘artificial’ only. ‘According to me, intelligence and creativity go hand in hand. The ability to spot patterns in a system is intelligence. He said that the ability to remember that is memory and to repeat is artificial intelligence. Humans have the inbuilt power of discovering and inventing. A machine can never be as intelligent as a human. Even though machines may replace us in most of our jobs, the majority of which also make our lives easier, they can never be as intelligent as us. ‘Intelligence is spiritual, and only we humans can feel that. Technology, invented by humans, is supposed to add comfort to our lives. Social media was meant to liberate us, but it has led to a need for validation from everyone around and FOMO. It’s time we start to be creative, discover, and invent. Let us be the ones governing the digital decade and utilize it not only for our betterment but also for creating a sustainable and equitable living.
The day witnessed three insightful sessions on a wide range of topics. Prof. Bipul Kumar, Faculty, IIM Indore, gave some insights on Bibliometric Analysis. The second workshop was conducted by Prof. Arvind Sahay, Marketing Area, IIM Ahmedabad, on the topic – Applications of Neuroscience to Online Branding. The third workshop of the day focused on ‘Overcoming Challenges in E-Learning in the Context of Higher Education’. This was conducted by Prof. Sonjaya S. Gaur from NYU School of Professional Studies.
The day also witnessed various paper presentations online and in hybrid mode by scholars selected from across the nation. The second day of the conference would also witness various workshops on diverse topics, ranging from Big Data, Data Analysis, Digital Transformation, and E-Business.