XLRI ExPGDM Hosts Human Resource Conclave “KRONOS’21”

1^st August 2021:- XLRI ExPGDM organised ‘KRONOS’21’, XLRI’s flagship Human Resources Conclave. The theme for the two-day virtual conclave was “Re-defining the Role of Human Resources for the Future”.

As the boundaries of HR have extended beyond horizons, the way HR practices are managed, and run is becoming vigorous, agile, and embedded with digital interventions. The whole idea of work, workplace, and human resources has evolved in the prevailing covid pandemic. This conclave aimed at providing a platform and brought leading HR professionals and academicians to share experiences and insights on the ever-changing dynamics of the industry,

The conclave was inaugurated with the Dean Academics Dr. Ashish K. Pani’s speech followed by a welcome address by Dr. Anita Sarkar, Chairperson, HRM Area, XLRI Jamshedpur and address by Chief Guest Ms. Deepa Narayan, VP, Employee Success at Salesforce on ‘Rethinking HRM Amidst Disruptions’.

A Keynote followed inaugural Session Address by Ms. Rajlakshmi Saikia, Vice President, Global Learning Operations, Genpact on “Next-Gen HRM”.

After keynote session Ms. Sweta Mohapatra, Ms. Shriya Dutt, Ms. Monica Dhar, Ms. Puneet Rajput, engaged in a Panel Discussion on ‘Decoding Diversity and Inclusion’ and the session was moderated by Dr. Shreyashi Chakraborty, Chairperson, Centre for Gender Equality & Inclusive Leadership, XLRI. 

There was an Experience Sharing session by Ms. Susan Mathew, HR Head India, LinkedIn - Human Resources Planning During COVID-19. Day one concluded with Experts ki Pathshala by Mr. Anish Raj, Director HR, Sentieo Mr. Vipin Sharma, Head HR – Strategy, Analytics and HR Innovation Lab, Tata Steel

The audience comprised an eclectic mix of professionals and students across various fields viz., IT, Manufacturing, BFSI, Construction etc., faculty members, and guests. 

On the first day, the conclave witnessed HR experts & leaders from various Industries which include Ms. Sweta Mohapatra, Associate Director HR, Fortune 500; Ms. Shriya Dutt, Director HR & India S/W HR Lead, Qualcomm; Ms. Monica Dhar, General Manager HR, Reliance Industries; Ms. Puneet Rajput, HR Head, Thermofisher Scientific; Ms. Rajlakshmi Saikia, Vice President, Global Learning Operations, Genpact; Mr. Anish Raj, Director HR, Sentieo; Mr. Vipin Sharma, Head HR – Strategy, Analytics and HR Innovation Lab, Tata Steel

In the Inaugural address Dr. Ashish K. Pani, Dean Academics XLRI- Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur said, “On the behalf of the institute, I invite all speakers, delegates and students to KRONOS’21 Human Resources Conclave. XLRI is one of the best management schools in India and the key characteristics that set apart XLRI from the other management schools in the ranges a quest for the best, never settle down to mediocrity and always aspire to excel. Instead of cruising circumstances to change and become different, Magis driven person either make them happen or make the most of them instead of waiting for the golden opportunity. The future CHROs would need to be both strategic and a brilliant tactician, brilliant mind in navigating the new normal. The new world of work with a HR movement, will leads organization with a growth survival and digital mindset. A tremendous opportunity, responsibility also provides leaders with guidance on the skills and capabilities needs to be successful as new roles continuously change and redefining the role of human resource for the future. In order to grow professionally, we need evolve mentally and emotionally. During this two-day conclave, student will learn many things that are happening in the world of HR and will get benefited from topics discussed and the insight from them”.                                        

In welcome address Dr. Anita Sarkar, Chairperson, HRM Area, XLRI Jamshedpur Said” On behalf of XLRI fraternity, I extend my heartfelt welcome to all speakers and students. The two-days KRONOS’21 conclave is a unique initiative by our Ex PGDM Students where Industry and academia meet and together explore the role of HR, and employees & employer relationship. A very relevant theme has been chosen - ‘Redefining the role of Human Resource for the future’. The pandemic has taught many lessons and have similarly posed many questions for e.g. what will be the employee -employer relationship in a hybrid work arrangement that we are currently operating in or what we are going to have in the future, how to successfully transition into a digitalised world and how to maintain inclusivity by incorporating everyone. I believe the two-day conclave will help us to seek answers to many such questions and even help us to generate a few more infringing questions”.

While speaking on ‘Rethinking HRM Amidst Disruptions’ Ms. Deepa Narayan, VP, Employee Success at Salesforce Said “What happened to all of us a year and a half ago, covid came like whiplash, it nudged all of us hard to think and it redefined our choices. we are talking about how we can be optimistic at the same time to be grounded with realities. The world going forward will require leaders that can blend courage and compassion together”.

On Day-2, starting with the keynote session on ‘Leadership Agility’ by Mr. Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestle India Ltd and ‘How to be the best candidate for hiring?’ by Mr. Anurag Patnaik, Head of Human Resource, Nestle. The plenary address by Mr. Abhijit Bhaduri will be on ‘Careers in a Hybrid Corporate World’ and a Heart-to-Heart Chat with Ma Foi K. Pandiarajan post lunch. Followed by the Heart-to-Heart Chat will be the Batch Profile Release for the ExPGDM batch of 2021-22 which consists of 114 professionals with a work experience of 5+ years from various industries like IT, BFSI, Manufacturing, Construction, etc. 

About XLRI’s ExPGDM Course:

XLRI offers a fifteen-month full-time residential management program Executive PGDM (ExPGDM), previously known as GMP. The program is one of the flagship programs offered by XLRI and has various accreditations including AMBA, AICTE, etc. The current batch is a diverse cohort of 114 students having a minimum work experience of 5 years across various industries, such as IT, BFSI, Construction, etc. 

About XLRI:

XLRI-Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur is a premier, private management institute in India founded in 1949 by Fr Quinn Enright, S.J. in the 'steel city' of Jamshedpur (www.xlri.ac.in). Over the last seven decades, the institute has grown into a top-ranking business management school of international repute with a wide portfolio of management programs and research publications. Its alumni are spread around the globe and have demonstrated responsible business leadership in their organizations. XLRI continually strives to contribute its mite to the professional growth and management of numerous organizations and institutions across industry sectors. XLRI has been awarded two prestigious International Accreditations, viz. AACSB - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business and AMBA - Association of MBAs. XLRI has also earned the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) accreditation.