The Office of Career Advancement & Networking (CAN) organized a highly engaging and interactive session on "Career in Civil Services: Navigating the Path to Public Leadership" for students from the School of Law, Business, and Engineering on 15th November 2024 (Friday) at the Alliance University campus.

This half-day session was delivered by Mr. Abhishek Vashishth, Ex-IRS, IPS, who shared invaluable insights and inspiration on pursuing a career in the prestigious Indian Civil Services.

Key Highlights of the Session:

• Introduction to Civil Services:
  Mr. Vashishth began by explaining the critical role civil services play in governance and nation-building. He provided a detailed overview of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and other branches, emphasizing their impact on shaping public policies and ensuring efficient administration.
• Pathway to Civil Services:
  A significant portion of the session focused on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, regarded as one of India's toughest competitive exams. Mr. Vashishth discussed:
• Eligibility criteria, including age limits, educational qualifications, and permissible attempts.
• The importance of planning and understanding the prerequisites for success in the examination.
• Preparation Tips:
  He recommended resources such as The Hindu and Indian Express for staying updated on current affairs and highlighted the significance of NCERT books for building a strong foundation. He also encouraged students to adopt disciplined study habits, develop critical thinking, and hone analytical skills.
• Personal Journey:
  Mr. Vashishth shared his inspiring personal journey, candidly discussing the challenges he faced, including two failed attempts at clearing the UPSC exam. He explained how these experiences tested his determination but ultimately shaped his resilience and adaptability.
• Importance of Personality:
  He shed light on the critical role personality plays during the UPSC interview stage, focusing on:
• Self-awareness.
• Effective communication.
• Maintaining a positive attitude to leave a strong impression on the board.

The session concluded with an inspiring message from Mr. Vashishth, urging students to view failures as steppingstones to success and remain committed to their aspirations. His story of perseverance and triumph left a lasting impression, motivating students to pursue their goals with dedication and determination.

Introduction:

The Alliance HR Conclave 2024, hosted by the Office of Career Advancement and Networking at Alliance University, was a significant platform for exploring the theme “AI, Data Analytics - The Progression and Future of HR.” This event gathered HR leaders, academicians, and thought leaders from diverse industry verticals to exchange ideas and strategies that would shape the future of human resources management. It emphasized creating a collaborative workforce and adapting to the rapid technological advancements.

The conclave opened with the ceremonial lamp lighting, symbolizing the beginning of an enlightening and transformative event. This was followed by the felicitation of the keynote speaker, Mr. Anish Philip, Chief People Officer of Movate Technologies, and a welcome address by Dr. Ray Titus. In his speech, he reflected on the role of AI in revolutionizing problem-solving and empowering individuals with tools that are akin to superhuman capabilities.

He highlighted the evolution of AI products and their exponential growth, comparing them to the power of supercomputers in platforms like Facebook. His address set the tone for the event, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI in modern HR practices.

Inaugural Address:

The inaugural address by Mr. Abhay G Chebbi, Pro-Chancellor of Alliance University, explored the significant technological shifts shaping the HR domain. He recounted his recent visit to the NHRD Bangalore chapter and shared his insights on innovation as the most critical resource for organizational success. He discussed the necessity of humanized technology, stressing its role in addressing workforce challenges. He noted that by 2025, 44% of globally required skills will be new, highlighting the urgency of upskilling and reskilling. His closing mantra, “Upskilling and reskilling are essential,” resonated strongly with the audience, highlighting the need for continuous learning and collaboration between academia and industry.

Keynote Address:

The keynote address by Mr. Anish Philip provided an insightful overview of AI’s growing influence in HR. Reflecting on his analogy of how a river creates its flow, Philip discussed the creation and application of AI tools and their accessibility for content generation and decision-making. He touched upon AI’s impact across HR functions, including recruitment, chatbots, and learning and development. He emphasized the emergence of prompt engineering as one of the most sought-after and lucrative roles in the job market today. Philip’s address effectively bridged theoretical insights with practical applications, demonstrating AI’s transformative potential in human resource management.

Panel Discussion 1: Navigating Talent Turbulence: Leveraging AI & Redefining Workforce Management for a Resilient Future

The first panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Pratima Verma, explored how AI can help organizations redefine workforce management for resilience in uncertain times. The panel included:

• Mr. Amit Sachdev, Chief People Officer, Tata Insights and Quants (Tata iQ)
• Mr. Amit Sharma, Group CHRO, Gokaldas Exports
• Mr. Baskar Varadhan, CHRO, Natural Remedies

Dr. Verma set the stage by emphasizing the importance of human involvement in leveraging technology effectively. She reminded the audience that hollow structures cannot create meaningful impact—human engagement remains indispensable.

The discussion highlighted the increasing shift towards data-driven decision-making in HR. Mr. Amit Sharma stressed the diminishing reliance on intuition in favor of analytical tools. The panelists collectively acknowledged that while AI can reduce human biases in recruitment and management, it also introduces fixed parameters that may inadvertently create institutional biases.

A compelling case study by Mr. Amit Sachdev illustrated how Tata iQ implemented an AI-driven testing system for their recruitment process. This approach shifted the focus from degree-based hiring to skill-based hiring. Notably, candidates with biotechnology and design-thinking backgrounds performed better than traditional computer science graduates, emphasizing the value of diverse skill sets. Tata iQ achieved this transformation by partnering with external organizations, curating educational institutes, and eliminating institutional and gender biases. Mr. Baskar Varadhan added that AI should be viewed as a transformative tool requiring an agile mindset for its effective adoption in HR processes.

Panel Discussion 2: Human Resource & Artificial Intelligence

The second panel, moderated by Dr. Uma Sreedhar, examined how AI is reshaping learning and development.

Key speakers included:

• Mr Varun Vijayakumar, Senior Director - HR, Media.net
• Mr Navin Patel, Global TA Head, Affine Analytics
• Ms Urmimala Sarkar, Director - Campus Recruitment, NTT DATA Services
• Ms Karthika Nair, Associate Director HR, KPMG
• Mr Tanmay Parikh, Vice President - HR, Dairy Day

Mrs. Sarkar shared innovative approaches such as gamification in leadership programs. She highlighted NTT Data Services’ “Excalibur” program, which transformed leadership training into an engaging treasure hunt. This gamified model encouraged participants to think creatively and collaborate effectively.

Mr. Parikh shared insights into how traditional industries are embracing AI to address seasonal labor challenges and supply chain complexities. He noted that while AI efficiently manages operational tasks, human intuition and empathy remain critical for strategic decision-making.

The discussion concluded with key takeaways on the importance of balancing technological integration with human insight, ensuring that AI complements rather than replaces human efforts.

Speaker Session: HR and Mental Well-being

Mr. Chella Pandian Pitchai, Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Biocon Biologics, addressed the pressing issue of mental well-being in the workplace. He shared startling statistics, revealing that one in two women face workplace harassment, while 92% of Gen Z experiences anxiety. Highlighting the generational shifts in workforce expectations, Pitchai underscored the need for HR policies that prioritize employee well-being and inclusivity.

Panel Discussion 3: Digital Disruption and Integration

The third panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Sumit Premi, Director of Talent Acquisition at Flipkart, delved into the impact of digital disruption on HR practices.

The panel featured:

• Mr. Amit Bansal, Global HR Director, Schneider Electric
• Ms. Harsha Vatnani, Director of HR, LSG Sky Chefs
• Ms. Hema Byrappa, Director of HR, GE Appliances
• Mr. Praveen Kumar Voona, Regional Senior HRBP - Digital, Airbus India

The session began with a discussion on the definition of digital disruption. Ms. Vatnani described it as a fundamental shift in processes, citing examples like AI-powered payment gateways and automated application practices. She noted that the pandemic accelerated digital adoption, with 80% of companies transitioning to digital modes of operation.

Mr. Bansal emphasized the need for HR professionals to remain agile and adaptable in the face of continuous technological evolution. He highlighted Schneider Electric’s initiatives in integrating AI to streamline talent acquisition and employee engagement.

Ms. Byrappa and Mr. Voona echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the necessity of collaboration between academia and industry to foster innovation. They lauded Alliance University’s efforts in establishing a research-focused campus to bridge this gap.

Event Highlights

The conclave concluded with a tour of the Center of Excellence (CoE) and project showcases, offering guests an opportunity to witness the innovative initiatives undertaken by Alliance University. The vote of thanks, delivered by Ms. Surekha Shetty, marked the formal end of the event, expressing gratitude to all participants, speakers, and organizers.

Conclusion

The Alliance HR Conclave 2024 highlighted the transformative potential of AI and data analytics in human resources. The event provided a platform for dynamic discussions on navigating workforce challenges, integrating technology, and fostering innovation. It highlighted the importance of balancing technological advancements with human insight, encouraging HR professionals to embrace continuous learning and collaboration. By addressing real-world challenges and presenting actionable strategies, the conclave reinforced the critical role of HR in driving organizational success in an era defined by digital transformation.

The Office of Career Advancement and Networking (CAN) at Alliance University conducted the second edition of The General Counsel Meet – 2024 centralizing the theme on the topic BALANCING INNOVATION AND COMPLIANCE: LEGAL COMPLEXITIES IN B2C COMMERCE ' on November 09, 2024, at The Seminar Hall-II, Central Campus, Alliance University.

The inaugural function began with the formal lighting of the lamp.

Dr. V Shyam Kishore, Professor & Associate Dean – Academic Affairs & Dean - Alliance School of Law, in his welcome address, embraced the audience, highlighting the importance of the theme and the topic of discussion.

Dr. Ray Titus, Pro Vice Chancellor (Incubation & Innovation) & Dean Alliance School of Business emphasized the importance of innovation to ensure continuity of businesses.

Dr. Devaiah N G, Associate Professor & Programme Director UG thanked the panellists and the participants.

The first panel: “Consequences of Issues such as Data Breach and IP Infringement in B2C Commerce”, convened experts, including Mr. Surup Ray Chaudhuri, Counsel United Breweries Ltd., Mr. Kiran Mohan M V, Head Legal Wadhwani Foundation and Ms. Lakshmi Menon Nair Director/General Counsel at HP Enterprise.

The discussions were moderated by Prof. Ranjeet Mathew Jacob, Asst. Professor Alliance School of law.

The second panel, “Effective Dispute Management with consumers and key regulatory challenges facing B2C Commerce”, featured Mr. Shreekanth Katti, General Counsel, Merck Group; Ms. Shreya Dasgupta, Senior Legal Manager, Piramal Capital & Housing Finace Ltd and Mr. Anupam Sharan, VP & Head Legal, Lendingkart

The discussions were moderated by Prof. K Kirthan Shenoy, Asst Professor, Alliance School of Law.

Mr. Pranav Agarwal, student pursuing his 5^th year BBA LLB, Alliance School of law, Alliance University, concluded the conclave with a vote of thanks, expressing his appreciation to all the panellists, faculties and attending students.