Conference/ Seminar/ Workshops

INSPIRE 2026 – International Conference on Sustainable Practices, Innovation & Responsible Entrepreneurship

PCET’s S. B. Patil Institute of Management (SBPIM), Pune, successfully organized the prestigious International Conference – INSPIRE 2026 on 13th and 14th March 2026 in Hybrid Mode, bringing together distinguished academicians, industry experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, international delegates, and students from across the globe. The two-day conference served as a dynamic platform to deliberate on the theme of “Sustainable Practices, Innovation & Responsible Entrepreneurship”, emphasizing the growing importance of sustainability, technological innovation, responsible leadership, and global collaboration in today’s rapidly changing business ecosystem.

The conference commenced with an inspiring Inaugural Ceremony at PCET’s Auditorium, marked by registration, an academic procession, lamp lighting, and Ganesh Vandana, setting a vibrant and scholarly tone for the event. The gathering was warmly welcomed by Dr. Dileep Pawar, Convenor, followed by an address by Dr. Kirti Dharwadkar, Director, SBPIM, who emphasized the institution’s commitment to research excellence, innovation, and academic collaboration. The event was further graced by the esteemed presence and address of the PCET Trustees, whose vision and encouragement continue to strengthen academic excellence and global engagement.

A major highlight of the inaugural session was the release of the Conference Proceedings with ISBN and DOI, symbolizing the institution’s commitment to quality research dissemination. The conference also witnessed an important MoU Signing Ceremony, reinforcing collaborative efforts between academia and industry. Distinguished guests, keynote speakers, and international delegates were felicitated for their invaluable contributions and participation.

The inaugural keynote sessions provided rich global perspectives on sustainability and innovation. The Chief Guest, Dr. Prashant Pansare, Founder & CEO of Inteliment and Rubiscape, delivered an insightful address on “Innovate with Purpose. Lead with Responsibility. Build for a Sustainable Future,” inspiring participants to embrace responsible innovation and sustainable development. Dr. Pastor R. Argüelles Jr., Director, UBCL Research & Publication Office, University of Batangas, Philippines, delivered a thought-provoking keynote on Smart Technologies for Sustainable Healthcare and Environmental Innovation, highlighting the role of intelligent technologies in solving healthcare and environmental challenges. Dr. Thanwadee Chinda, Associate Professor at Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thammasat University, Thailand, shared valuable insights on Electric Vehicles in the Sustainability Era: Technology, Consumers and Environmental Impact, emphasizing the evolving relationship between technology and environmental responsibility. Adding an international perspective to collaborative development, Dr. Paulo Mora-Avila, Head of Department – Marketing and Enterprise, University of Worcester, UK, delivered a compelling address on The Power of Collaboration in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape.

The conference further featured Global Plenary Session I on the theme “Reimagining Global Entrepreneurship in Times of Crisis: Innovation, Sustainable Supply Chains, and Responsible Leadership.” Chaired by Dr. Bhushan Pardeshi, Research Head and Associate Professor, SBPIM, and moderated by Mr. Thamburaj Anthuvan, Sr. VP & BU Head – Sales, Marketing, L&D, SFE & BI, USV, the session encouraged meaningful dialogue and global perspectives. Eminent panelists including Dr. Arun Chainit (Thailand), Dr. Paulo Mora-Avila (United Kingdom), Col. (Dr.) Virendra Mishra, and Mr. Jay Dholakia, Co-Founder & CEO, Skillverge, engaged in enriching discussions on sustainable entrepreneurship, resilient supply chains, innovation, and responsible leadership. The interactive audience Q&A added immense value by facilitating knowledge exchange between experts and participants.

The technical and academic excellence of INSPIRE 2026 was further reflected through parallel paper presentation sessions conducted in hybrid mode, where researchers, academicians, scholars, and students presented their innovative research across multiple tracks. Special international sessions by Dr. Thanwadee Chinda on “Driving the Future: Electric Vehicles and Sustainable Mobility” and Dr. Pastor R. Argüelles Jr. on “Big Data for Smarter Supply Chains and Demand Forecasting” significantly enriched the academic experience, exposing participants to cutting-edge research and contemporary global trends.

Day 2 of INSPIRE 2026 continued with renewed enthusiasm through Global Plenary Session II themed “Redefining Business Leadership in a Digital and Sustainable Global Economy.” Chaired by Dr. Padmalochan Bisoyi, Assistant Professor, SBPIM, and moderated by Dr. Kirti Dharwadkar, the session explored emerging business leadership paradigms in an increasingly digital and sustainability-driven world. Esteemed panelists including Mrs. Sonali Deshpande, Chairperson, Persistent Foundation, Dr. Pastor R. Argüelles Jr., and Mr. Sushant Bhilare, Managing Director, MIDCWALA Services Pvt. Ltd., shared valuable insights on leadership transformation, sustainability, and social impact.

Another engaging international session was conducted by Dr. Arun Chainit, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Phranakhon Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand, on the topic “Future Skills for Global Careers – Leadership, Innovation and Global Opportunities,” which inspired participants to prepare for globally competitive careers through innovation and leadership development.

The conference concluded with a memorable Valedictory and Closing Ceremony, celebrating the success of INSPIRE 2026. The session included reflections from track in-charges, highlights from technical sessions, and the prestigious Best Paper Awards and Certificate Distribution Ceremony, recognizing excellence in research contributions. The valedictory address by Dr. Roopali Kudare, Head Academics, SBPIM, reflected on the conference’s achievements, while the chief guest Mr. Pradeepkumar Sankaran, Ex. Senior Vice President at Schindler India, delivered an inspiring address encouraging innovation, industry readiness, and continuous learning.

The technical sessions of INSPIRE 2026 were further strengthened through the valuable guidance and academic expertise of distinguished External Session Chairs, who evaluated research presentations and enriched scholarly discussions across various tracks. The conference was privileged to host eminent academicians and domain experts including Dr. Renuka Vanarse (HR & IT), Dr. Vinita Agarwal (Marketing), Dr. Smriti Pathak (Finance), Dr. Anuradha Phadnis (HR), Dr. Lalit Prasad (Marketing), Dr. Amrita Karnawat (Finance), Dr. Rajeshwari Patil (HR), Dr. Sachin Chavan (Finance), Dr. Sanjit Singh (OSCM & Marketing), Dr. Mugdha Kulkarni, Dr. Bharat Kasar (Finance), Dr. Milind Marathe (Marketing), Dr. Sandeep Sarkale (OSCM & Marketing), Dr. Rohini Nikam (HR), and Prof. Sanjay Pudasaini. Their expert observations, constructive feedback, and insightful deliberations significantly enhanced the quality of paper presentations and provided participants with valuable academic and industry perspectives, contributing immensely to the overall success of the conference.

INSPIRE 2026 concluded on a highly successful note with heartfelt reflections from international delegates, participant feedback, and a formal vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Yogendrah Deoakar, Associate Professor, SBPIM. The conference emerged as a vibrant platform for intellectual exchange, global collaboration, and meaningful discussions on sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible leadership, reaffirming SBPIM’s commitment towards fostering research excellence and international academic engagement.