St Agnes College Hosts International Conference on “Building Future-Ready Finance Talent: Sustainability in the Digital Age”
Mangaluru, April 8:
The Department of Commerce at St Agnes College (Autonomous), Mangaluru, inaugurated its prestigious International Conference on “Building Future-Ready Finance Talent: Sustainability in the Digital Age” on April 8, 2025. The event aimed to explore the evolving demands of the financial sector in the context of sustainability and digital transformation.
The inaugural session commenced with a graceful welcome by Ms. Anusha Noronha, Assistant Professor, who served as the Master of Ceremony. Mr. Rodney Vas, Convenor and Assistant Professor, formally welcomed the gathering and introduced the theme, emphasizing its relevance in today’s rapidly changing financial world.
Mrs. Vineetha N T, Co-convenor and Head of the Department of Commerce, presented the conference overview, outlining the objectives, academic significance, and expected outcomes of the event.
The conference was officially inaugurated by Mr. Nantharam Ramalingam, Global Head at Dyson Technologies, who also delivered the keynote address. He highlighted the vital role of finance professionals in delivering sustainable value in an increasingly digital environment.
The Chief Guest, CS Pallavi Karkera, an alumna of the college and currently Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, as well as Head of Internal Audit and IFC at Healthium Medtech Ltd Group, reflected on her journey and praised the institution’s commitment to academic and professional excellence. She emphasized the need for compliance, integrity, and adaptability in the modern finance landscape.
Sr Dr Maria Roopa A.C., Joint Secretary of St Agnes Institutions, served as the Guest of Honour. In her address, she applauded the Commerce Department’s initiative and encouraged participants to engage deeply with the conference sessions.
Delivering the Presidential Address, Sr Dr M Venissa A.C., Principal of St Agnes College, congratulated the department for organizing a conference of global relevance. She underscored the importance of value-based education in shaping future-ready finance professionals and expressed pride in the achievements of the college’s alumni.
The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Mrs. Nimitha K, Co-convenor and Dean of Commerce, who acknowledged the contributions of all stakeholders in making the inaugural event a success.
Conference Highlights
The conference brings together a vibrant community of finance educators, professionals, and students to explore how the finance profession is evolving in a digital-first, sustainability-focused world.
Keynote addresses were delivered by Mr. Nantharam Ramalingam, Global Head at Dyson Technologies, and Dr. Vinod Madhavan, Vice President – Academics, School of Branding and Advertising, Miles Education. They discussed how organizations are reimagining finance capabilities while balancing the key pillars of people, planet, and profit.
Technical Sessions included:
- Session 1: Planet, People, Profit – Can Accounting Save or Sink the Future?
Speaker: Mr. Uttam Pai Umesh, CPA, Associate Vice President - Session 2: Future of Work
Speaker: Mr. Kamalanathan, Vice President – Academic Operations - Session 3: The Metamorphosis of Automation to Artificial Intelligence
Speaker: Ms. Kiruba Nagini R, Data Analytics Trainer, Miles Education
The conference also featured research paper presentations by students and faculty, focusing on cutting-edge topics in finance, digital innovation, corporate responsibility, and sustainability.
With insightful discussions and expert-led sessions, the conference served as a platform to inspire and equip finance professionals who are digitally competent, ethically grounded, and sustainability-driven.
