Mangaluru: The department of MBA at St Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AIMIT), Beeri, organized the third international conference cum workshop on multidisciplinary business research - The New Driver of Business Innovation on March 31.

The conference received more than 85 papers from seven different countries. The event was inaugurated on March 31 at 9.15 am at Arthur Shenoi auditorium, at St Aloysius Institute of Management and Information Technology (AIMIT). Delegates from various parts of India as well as international delegates participated in the deliberations. The conference saw participation from countries like Canada, Australia, Malaysia, the Middle East and Tanzania.

The director AIMIT, Fr Denzil Lobo SJ delivered the welcome address where he shed light on process of evolution of ideas. Fr Oswald Mascarenhas SJ, chairman delivered a bird’s eye view of the conference where he maintained that there were over 3000 odd disciplines and they were increasing by the day. Increasing compartmentalization he added is making management education irrelevant. The chief guest Dr T Mallikarjunappa, head of MBA department, Mangalore University in his address spoke on the relevance of multidisciplinary research in reviving management education. He said understanding different disciplines add great value to one, and creation of disciplines is useful in solving societal problems. He applauded St Aloysius Institute for creating a platform for individuals to come up with great ideas and expand knowledge.

The address was followed by the release of the conference proceedings by the dignitaries. Fr Swebert D’Silva SJ, principal, St Aloysius College was felicitated for his tireless service to this institution. His message focused on the dissemination and creation of knowledge in today’s system.

The presidential address was given by Fr Dionysius Vas SJ, rector St Aloysius Institute. His address focused on leadership and management, being different disciplines, and questioned contradiction between India lacking human development and being economically developed. Dr Rowena Wright – dean academics MBA department, Rajani Suresh and Benny Godwin– faculty conveners, were the other dignitaries present at the inaugural. The vote of thanks was delivered by the faculty convener Rajani Suresh.

The day long deliberations saw the conduction of a brief workshop on SEM and more than 80 research papers being presented by delegates in five parallel sessions with relevant comments and suggestions from both co-delegates and the session chair.