The Alliance School of Business, Alliance University, organised a guest lecture on “Inside Corporate CSR: Strategy, Operations & Impact” for first-semester B.Com. (Hons.) students. The session aimed to provide students with a practical understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), its growing importance in the corporate sector and its contribution to responsible business practices, community development and sustainability.

The session was delivered by Mrs. Ansu Abraham, Senior Director – Strategy & Operations, Cognizant Foundation, Bengaluru, who brings over two decades of professional experience in the development sector, corporate partnerships, resource mobilisation and sustainable development. Drawing from her professional experience, she shared insights into how organisations approach CSR as an integral part of their business responsibilities.

The programme commenced with a welcome address, followed by the felicitation of Mrs. Ansu Abraham by Dr. Joseph Roche, Area Chair – General Management. Dr. Nishi Francis, Faculty Coordinator, introduced the guest speaker, highlighting her professional journey and contributions to corporate social responsibility and the development sector.

During the lecture, Mrs. Abraham discussed the strategic role of CSR in contemporary organisations and explained how social responsibility initiatives can align with organisational objectives, ethical business practices and long-term sustainability goals. She highlighted the importance of identifying community needs, developing meaningful programmes and ensuring their effective implementation.

The discussion also covered the operational aspects of CSR, including programme planning, resource mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and partnerships. Students gained insights into how corporations collaborate with civil society organisations, implementation partners and local communities to address social challenges and support inclusive development.

A key focus of the session was the importance of governance, transparency and accountability in CSR initiatives. Mrs. Abraham explained how monitoring and impact assessment help organisations evaluate programme effectiveness, measure social outcomes and understand the long-term benefits of their interventions. The session encouraged students to recognise CSR as more than corporate philanthropy, highlighting its potential to contribute to sustainable social development and community empowerment.

The lecture was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students engaged with the speaker on the practical applications of CSR in corporate organisations. The interaction provided an opportunity to connect academic concepts such as business ethics, corporate governance and social responsibility with real-world organisational practices.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks acknowledging Mrs. Ansu Abraham for sharing her knowledge and professional perspectives. Appreciation was also extended to the faculty members, organising teams and supporting departments for their contributions to the programme.

The guest lecture strengthened students\' understanding of the evolving responsibilities of businesses in society and the importance of balancing organisational objectives with social impact. By bringing professional perspectives into the classroom, the session reflected the Alliance School of Business\'s continued focus on experiential learning, industry engagement and preparing students to become responsible business professionals.