KIIT School of Management (KSOM) hosted its 16th National HR Conclave on August 9, 2025, centered on the theme “Navigating the Hybrid Future: Agile, Adaptive, and Integrated Workplaces.” The conclave highlighted the strategies for building flexible, resilient, and human-centric organizations in a hybrid era.

Prof. Isa Mishra, Conclave Convener, extended a warm welcome and greetings on behalf of Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder, KIIT & KISS. She introduced the esteemed dignitaries and set the context of the conclave, highlighting the need for agility, adaptability, and integration to thrive in uncertainty, with hybrid work models enabling continuous growth.

Prof. Kumar Mohanty, Director, KSOM, delivered the welcome address. He outlined the key parameters within the university that foster adaptability. He emphasized the strong industry-academia balance in the institution, which ensures that learning remains relevant and responsive to changing demands.

Prof. Saranjit Singh, Vice Chancellor, KIIT Deemed to be University, highlighted that the theme of hybrid workplaces and the hybrid future can be captured in three words: agile, adaptive, and integrated. Drawing parallels between industry and academia, he noted that education has also been disrupted by market changes, making agility and adaptability essential for institutions to thrive. He spoke about the growing influence of artificial intelligence and the need to adapt to its impact on education and work. Emphasizing that we are born into a disruptive world, he noted that survival depends on adaptability and the ability to unlearn and relearn. He encouraged everyone to make the most of today’s discussions and opportunities for growth.

Mr. Sarthak Behuria, Chairman & Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Reliance BP Mobility Ltd., delivered the Keynote Address. He noted that the traditional 9 to 5 is giving way to a new era of work defined by agility, adaptability, and empathy. Drawing from his vast experience, he shared a few real-life instances that illustrated these values in action. His speech was deeply humane and personal, reflecting the importance of trust and connection in today’s workplace. He explained that while hybrid work offers freedom, it also brings challenges like ambiguity and disconnection, making human connection more important than ever. According to him, true leadership today is about listening, caring, and fostering belonging, whether in person or online. He emphasized that while technology enables connection, culture is built through shared experiences and genuine relationships.

Prof. Arvind Tripathy, Dean, MBA, KSOM, proposed the Vote of Thanks. He expressed gratitude to all who were present in the session and urged everyone to learn, relearn, and keep innovating.

Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Hon’ble Founder, KIIT & KISS graced the occasion and interacted with the corporate dignitaries.

The inaugural session was followed by a high-impact panel discussion on the theme “Data-Driven Insights for Continuous Hybrid Work Optimization.” Moderated by Mr. J. P. Singh, Vice President – HR, JSW Steel, the discussion featured Dr. Menka Singh Sindhu, Global Human Resource, Business Partner, Naehas & Zenarate; Ms. Nirmala Behera, Executive Dir – HR, RSB Transmission; Ms. Manvi Singh, Head – HR, Pidilite Industries Ltd.; Ms. Indu Rashmi, Head HR, ACER and J. P. Singh, VP- HR, JSW Steel – Moderator. The panel explored how organizations can balance flexibility, productivity, and human connection in hybrid setups, highlighting the importance of skills, adaptability, and the right use of AI and digital tools. Speakers agreed that hybrid models must be tailored to organizational needs, with physical presence remaining essential for collaboration and mentorship, and concluded that hybrid work will continue to grow with strategies that create value for both employees and businesses.

Post-lunch, a series of parallel Synergistics sessions were held to provide focused interaction between students and industry professionals. These workshops were designed to explore pressing sub-themes shaping the future of HR in hybrid environments headed by top HR professionals. The esteemed speakers included Dr. Vishwanadh Raju, CEO and Co-Founder, Plugscale Innovation Consulting; Dr. Menka Singh Sindhu, Global Human Resource Business Partner, Naehas & Zenarate; Mr. Dinesh Athyadi, Director, HR & Admin, Rittal Pvt. Ltd.; Mr. Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Director, HR, Knorr Bremse; Ms. Preeti Ahuja, Chief People Officer, Husk Power Systems; Mr. Furkan Ali, Area Head, HR East Zone, UltraTech Cement Ltd.; Ms. Vaishali Darade, Senior Lead HR, Magna Vehicle Engineering; Dr. Rakshita Shharma, HR Advisor cum Director, Bobble AI; Mr. Arjya Kumar Mishra, Group CHRO, PRIL; Ms. Spandan Dua, Head, L&D, Alumina Business, Vedanta; Ms. Parimita Behera, Head, HR & Admin, JSW Infra, Paradip; Mr. Manish Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head, Liability and Alliances (BaaS), Digital Ecosystem, and Startup Mentor, HDFC Bank; and Dr. Sadashib Padhee, Partner, Kontempore. The workshops were on topics like Generative AI in Hybrid Work, Outcome-Based Performance Metrics, Impact of Gen Z and Digital Natives on Hybrid Expectations and Future Immersive Workspaces.

These sessions offered KSOM students, especially those specializing in HR, a unique opportunity to interact with professionals and gain industry-level exposure. The HR Conclave successfully bridged the gap between theory and practice. It offered a vibrant platform where students, faculty, and professionals explored how HR can become a strategic enabler in the ever-evolving world of hybrid work.