Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra celebrated International Day of Yoga on 21st June 2020.

A Yogasana Session was conducted from 6:00 – 7:30AM. Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor Prof. R.K. Sinha also participated in the practice. He has also made valuable addition to different postures and their synchronization with breathing.

Mr. Gurmel, JA and a trained Yoga instructor, guided the participants for various yogasanas including dandasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana, vajrasana, tadasana, vimanasana, suryanamaskara etc.

Total 15 faculty and staff members, and their wards students participated physically at B-C Junction.

There was a live telecast of the event for enabling others also to participate from home. The celebration also included online yoga posture, drawing and short story writing competitions.

The yogasana session concluded with the blessings of the Vice-Chancellor and a vote of thanks by Dr. Anil Tewari, Head, School of Philosophy & Culture.

A Webinar Session of Ms. Neha Maheshwari, Manager-External Affairs, Bennett University (Times of India Group) was conducted for the Management Students of School of Business. She took the session on ‘Corporate Readiness with the Management Graduates’ of SMVDU Ms. Neha Maheshwari is alumnus of School of Business (MBA Batch 2004-06). She shared with the students the hardships and mistakes one made in his/her early stages of career when join the corporate and the lessons learns from those mistakes. She emphasised the students to build a strong network of relationships using various social media platforms to succeed in the practical world with the help of realistic examples. Ms. Maheshwari recommended the students to start their career from ground level in that case they will be in better position to learn practicalities of corporate and can excel in life. She also accentuated the importance of grooming one self and advised the students to create their first impression as most effective. She acquainted the students regarding the pre-requisites for corporate readiness and also gave tips to the students for appearing in the interview; resume writing and technical issues associated with it. She talked about the four pre-requisites of corporate readiness on the part of students including relevance knowledge, resume writing, network building and personal grooming. She discussed with the students the things one should keep in mind as one enters into professional world. The prominent alumnus advised the students to use this period of life very productively and constructively and emphasised that struggles of this time will give them fruits in the long run. Ms. Neha while addressing the queries advised the students to acquire the professional competencies and prepare for the future beforehand as future is going to be completely changed one. Dr. Saurabh, Head, School of Business expressed his gratitude to Ms. Neha for the valuable inputs given by her to the students to get themselves prepare for the corporate challenges. While concluding the session, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Associate Professor, SoB and Moderator expressed her satisfaction regarding the growth of alumni of School of Business and wished Ms. Neha Maheshwari all the best for her future endeavours.

A webinar on the topic “Digital Technologies-2020 by Mr. Anil Kangotra, Principal Consultant, Al-Futtaim, Dubai, United Arab Emirate was organised for the students of School of Business. The session was focused on the importance of emerging technologies in today’s digital era. Sharing his life experiences Mr. Anil highlighted the importance of the digital technologies in the business world and also underlined the importance of mastering new skills in order to achieve the success in corporate life. Many relevant examples from his own experience were also discussed by him with the management students. Mr. Anil shed light on many new and trending technologies. He elaborated the concept of Blockchain and its importance in the business world. The alumnus of School of Business, Mr. Anil also emphasised on the importance of exposure to business analytics, IOT and technology upgradation. Citing the examples from his practical experience, he argued how various organisations are using the technology in order to improve the quality of customer service. Mr. Anil also elaborated the concept of SAP-ERP and explained its significance in different aspects and functions of business. He emphasised that SAP-ERP is one of the technical tools which can be utilized in every field of business including finance, human resource, treasury management, customer service, warehouse management, material management, sales and distribution, advanced analytics, security management, etc. Sharing his struggles in corporate life, he counselled the students to keep their eyes open and advised them to pull their socks up and learn as much as possible in this initial phase of life in order to achieve success in the later entire part of life. Mr. Anil pointed out communication/presentation skills, confidence level acquired through learning and knowledge as his mantra for success in life. Mr. Anil handled all the queries raised by the students to the satisfaction level of the students. Dr. Saurabh, Head, School of Business while expressing his gratitude on behalf of School of Business mentioned that session of Mr. Anil was very enlightening and inspiring for the budding managers. Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Associate Professor, School of Business and Moderator of the webinar session also conveyed heartfelt thanks for Mr. Anil for sharing his experience and guiding the management students towards a successful future.

Webinar session on the topic “Startup Opportunities for Students - Post Covid-19: A Way towards Atmanirbhar Bharath” conducted by Entrepreneurship Development Cell-SMVDU for the youthful and talented budding business graduates of the university.

The resource person of the webinar session, Prof. T. Prasad, Faculty Adviser, ‘Center for Student Enterprises’ and Professor, National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), Mumbai, delivered an inspiring webinar on the different dimensions of entrepreneurship and start-up prospects getting open for the infant entrepreneurs present on-going tough situations.

It is one of the most concerning topics for the students who are going to complete their degrees amid Covid-19. Prof. Prasad mentioned that the young minds will have ample of opportunities as in today’s era of technology, and the young generation are much more aware of the technical aspects and practicality and pragmatism of things.

He also explained t the emerging opportunities like in agriculture, technology, healthcare, etc. and also encouraged students to look for opportunities in their proximity as many things like fruits, dry fruits, medicinal plants, food etc are popular in J&K, while differentiating between start-up and entrepreneurship.

He also elaborated four important points which a student should consider before starting any start-up. For the students who want to go for a job for now, Mr. Prasad suggested that if they want to begin any start-up, they should not feel restricted by their jobs but instead take their jobs as an opportunity for learning about business and alongside on the parallel front start working on their start-up.

Earlier Dr Supran Kumar Sharma, Associate Professor Chief Coordinator , Entrepreneurship Development Cell- SMVDU moderated the session and provided a brief introduction of Prof. Prasad also known as Prof. Mandi and briefed about different entrepreneurial activities initiated by Prof. Prasad's teaching methodology of arranging Mandis with the students of MBA and other programs.

Mr. Prasad also elaborated three ways of starting a start-up. He also motivated the students who were doubtful about their start-up ideas, saying “it is you who make the business right” and also advised to start with a very micro venture with a small amount of investment to learn by doing, and to assess their interest and potential.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra organized a webinar on Yoga and Naturopathy on 16th June 2020. The event started with a welcome address by Dr. Anil Tewari, Head, School of Philosophy & Culture. The inaugural speech was delivered by Prof. D. Mukhopadhyay, Dean Faculty of Management and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. In his address he remarked that India is identified with the Yoga Science and Yoga Science is identified with India. Prof. R.K. Sinha, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor welcomed Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Hon'ble Minister of HRD, GoI, and thanked him for sparing time to address the audience. Sh. Pokhriyal pointed out that the whole world is inspired by the culture and science of India. He highlighted the relevance of yoga for the health of mind and body. He also exhorted the students to practice yoga.

Shri P.C. Kanal, CEO, Archana Yogayatan, New Delhi introduced the collaborating organizations which are Archana Yogayata, Heart Care Foundation of India, and International Federation of Yoga Professionals, all based in New Delhi. Ms. Sudha Dass, President and Ms. Poonam Khanna, Vice-President, Archana Yogayatan also spoke on the event. Dr. D.N. Sharma talked on the topic of ‘Home Remedies to Improve Immune System’. Dr. Kalpana Kariya, President, IFYP, Kenya guided about Sufi Pranayama. Dr. S. N. Yadav, Director, Archana Yogayatan talked about ‘Naturopathy in Daily Life’. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Tewari. The meeting was attended by more than one thousand persons across the globe.

Webinar talk of Ms. Aditi Vasandi, Branch Head, AU Small Finance Bank in Jammu was held with budding managers of School of Business, SMVD University. She enlightned the budding managers regarding the seven secrets of inspiring leaders. Sharing real-life experiences, she highlighted the importance of invitting participation from followers using multiple modes by effective leaders. She underlined that leaders need to have confidence in his/her abilities/capabilities along with confidence on the talent and capabilities of team members. She attributed optimisation as the key for effective leadership which has multiplier effect. The queries of students were handled by Ms.Vasandi to the level of fulfilment of students. The session was coordinated by Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Associate Professor,School of Business while concluding Dr. Jyoti Sharma, expressed gratidue on behalf of School of Business to Ms. Vasandi for stiring up the minds of budding managers with her practical experiences. Dr.Jyoti admired Ms. Aditi for her success achieved in his career due to her dedication, devotion, hardwork and consistent performance behaviour. Students asked many queries relating to the motivation strategies a leader should use to motivate his/her followers, how a leader should give feedback to the followers, etc. all the queries were handled by Ms. Vasandi to the satisfaction level of the students. It is pertinent to menetion that Ms.Vasandi has been graduated in business adminstration in the first batch from the School of Business and contributing towards the alme matter since a long time.

Dr. Supran Kumar Sharma, Faculty, School of Business & Chief Coordinator Entrepreneurship Development Cell, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University has participated in number of Webinars & Workshops as Expert & Resource person during this pandemic.

First in this list was, the complete one day expert session taken on the topic, “Qualitative Response Regression Modelling” in the research methodology one week workshop on ‘Qualitative Research Methods’ organised by Shri Vishwakarma Skill University, Gurugram, NCR.

This is followed by his role as a one of the Panellists of in a panel discussion organised by Manipal University, Jaipur on the topic , “Covid 19 Relief Fund Not a Magic Wand” During the event, deliberation was focused on the features and the efforts of the government to smoothly revive the economy while using cascading, spillover effects.

Moreover he as a resource person in the panel has elaborated the significance of favourable accelerator and multiplier parameters in the better implementation of policies during this hard-hitting time.

While in another two-day international webinar on, “Covid-19 Fiscal Management Ways and Challenges Ahead” where Dr. B.P Veerabhadrappa, Vice Chancellor Kuvempu University, Karnataka was Chief Guest and attended the whole webinar, Dr Sharma given talk on the theme of the webinar. In this event other speaker were Dr. Nazrul Islam, Associate Professor, Dhaka school of Economics, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Professor N. R. Bhanumurthy, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi & Vice Chancellor designate, Bangalore Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE), Bangalore.

Further in a webinar on the topic, “Sectoral Outlook in India: Post Covid-19 Scenario” organized by Haryana School of Business, Guru Jambeshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar, Haryana.

Dr. Sharma was Guest of Honour while speaking on the topic emphasized that sectoral compositions are going to have a paradigm shift with inculcation of digitalization, robotics, drone technology, web designing etc. He Stressed upon the revision of syllabi of management programs in the light of new normal emerging in the economy worldwide. Prof. Tankeshwar Kumar, Vice Chancellor GJUS&ST was Chief Guest of the Webinar and spared time from his valuable time to attend the complete event.

Until recently Dr.Supran Kumar Sharma, School of Business, has acted as the resource person in International Webinar on, “To Re-Open or Not to Re-Open - The Covid19 Dilemma” where other resource persons were from Switzerland, Pakistan, New Zealand, Thailand.

In the deliberation the advantages and disadvantages of lockdown practices adopted and being adopted at the global level have been made. These type of activities by faculty of School of Business, SMVDU not only provide effective platform for better exposure and learning to the faculty members but also proves how dynamically the faculty members of the School are recognised and contributing towards the effective academic exercises and research works world-wide.

A Webinar session on the topic “Entrepreneurial Ventures: Prospects and Possibilities” was conducted by the Entrepreneurship Development Cell- Shri Mata Vaishno Dev University for the young and promising budding business graduates of SMVDU.

Mrs. Geetu Bandral, Director at Samsai Corp-Chandigarh delivered an insightful and inspiring webinar session. The web interaction proved very effective and enlightening while emphasizing on the sun-rising industries which are known for high return but high risk type of industries.

She focused the discussion regarding the entrepreneurial requirements, the prospects and possibilities which come with the entrepreneurial ventures in the contemporary world. Mrs. Geetu familiarized the participants about 10 essential steps which are required to be taken care of in order to carry on successful entrepreneurial ventures.

The resource person also suggested the participants to keep on updating and hone their skills and encompass a realistic and practical approach for achieving sustainable success in their ventures or other endeavors.

She emphasized that it is important to recognize the gap in the market and the budding entrepreneurs should avoid being a straggler to successfully capture the market.

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Earlier Dr Supran Kumar Sharma, Associate Professor Chief Coordinator , Entrepreneurship Development Cell- SMVDU moderated the session and given a brief introduction of the successful shepreneur (Woman Entrepreneur) in the region.

Mrs. Geetu has been graduated in business administration in the first batch Business Economics from the Faculty of Management and contributing towards the alma mater since a long time.

Two workshops on topics “Intellectual Property Rights” and “Business Plan and its importance for startups” were successfully concluded by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Technology Business Incubation Centre (SMVDU TBIC) for the students and other aspiring entrepreneurs in the region. SMVDU TBIC and its ecosystem partner, JK StartUp Association and pool partners and mentor groups like Startup Buddy, Indian STEP & Business Incubator Association (ISBA), We Group, K&S Partners, Adsatra IP, Boudhik Ventures and "Institution Innovation Council" (IIC) SMVDU are working in close coordination to generate awareness and striving to bring the UT of J&K at a global entrepreneurial platform, through its flagship programme "100StartupsJK", recently launched by Honorable Vice Chancellor SMVDU, Prof. R.K. Sinha.

The workshop on Intellectual Property Rights was conducted in association with BRIC ( a BIRAC, DBT, GoI - IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad Initiative ) and was conducted by Mr. Rahul Parmar from InventIP, with registration of more than 100 participants from across the region of J&K. It was an extremely interactive session in which participants discussed various aspects of intellectual property rights with multiple examples. Another workshop on Business Plan and its importance was conducted in association with Startup Buddy which was attended by more than 50 people. Ms. Aparajita Prasad, Vice President Startup Buddy, conducted the workshop and highlighted Business plan basics and its importance.

Given this Covid-19 global health concern, the operations of SMVDU TBIC have completely gone virtual and it is conducting such workshops every alternate week with an aim to develop and promote start-up ecosystem in the UT of J&K and helping many aspiring entrepreneurs. The events are open for everyone and to know more about schemes and options available one should visit www.smvdutbic.org.

In an online event, Chairperson Governing Council and Management Committee (GC & MC), SMVDU TBIC, Padamshree Prof. RK Sinha, Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, launched mission “100 StartUps JK”.

The online launch was attended by various members of the GC& MC Committee of SMVDU Technology Business Incubation Centre.

Various external members and dignitaries, Deans, Directors, Mentors, Faculty and Staff of SMVDU have also attended the event. Many Startups and potential entrepreneurs from the region also joined the launch of 100 Startups J&K.

In this initiative by SMVDU TBIC, JK StartUp Association is participating as ecosystem partner in the region, and this endeavour is powered by mentors and supporters like Startup Buddy, Indian STEP & Business Incubator Association (ISBA), We Group, K&S Partners, Adsatra IP, Boudhik Ventures and "Institution Innovation Council" (IIC) SMVDU.

Dr. Swarkar Sharma, CEO SMVDU TBIC, informed that to achieve the goal, continuous screening and acceptance of ideas will be adapted. The shortlisted ideas will be facilitated by SMVDU TBIC and partner organizations in various domains.

Further to achieve, Prototyping Support, Financial Assistance, Patent Filing assistance, Incubation support, Dedicated Technology and Business Mentorship sessions, Scheduled Leadership sessions via workshops, webinars and excellent opportunities to network with the best in the domain, will be provided in the best possible way.

To avail various Facilities, one has to register on 24x7 online portal of SMVDY TBIC (www.smvdutbic.org). This program is expected to reap many additional benefits including huge learning potential for the participating individuals, actionable insights on start-up development, increased awareness towards entrepreneurship as well as a development of a self-sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.

SMVDU TBIC has anchored many initiatives in the past with an aim to develop and promote start-up ecosystem in the UT of J&K and has also helped many aspiring entrepreneurs. Various innovation challenges, workshops, webinars etc. are regularly being carried out for igniting the spark of entrepreneurship in youth of the region towards incorporation of technology based startups.

SMVDU Katra, June 2020. As per e-Released of India Rankings 2020 on 11th June 2020 by Hon'ble Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University secured 78 Rank in the NIRF 2020 of Ministry of MHRD, Govt. of India, amongst Engineering Institutions. Until recently Shri Mata Vaishno Devi university was ranked 71st in the World, by Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2020 under the SDG 07 category, and was Ranked 4th in the country under the same category. SMVD University also ranked among the Top 100 Institutions in the category of Management institutions, and top 150 universities by NIRF 2020. Prof. RK Sinha, Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, congratulated all the faculty members, and wished that they may attain excellence in teaching and research.