The annual business conclave of the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, (XIMB) was held on the old campus on Saturday and Sunday. Students took part in large numbers since the event also hosted several industry experts from various government agencies as well as private firms of international repute. The School of Rural Management of the Xavier University presented ‘Abhivyakti,’ the rural management conclave on the very first day. On the second day, Maxim, the marketing association of the XIMB held its conclave titled ‘Mercatique.’ Discussions were held on the evolution of brands and consumer interaction. In addition to panel discussions, numerous other events were organised. They included Consilium, which is a national-level white paper writing competition. Participants from top business schools across the country vied for the honours. The annual magazine, The Strategist, was released. It had entries from  prominent industry personnel  as well as students of top B-schools.

Get together

Former students of Ravenshaw University’s journalism and mass communication department  held a reunion meet on August 1 at the heritage hall of the varsity. In the first session of the day, a meeting was held in which vice-chancellor Prakash Chandra Sarangi, along with alumni co-ordinator Sangita Rath and several other dignitaries, were present. They interacted with the alumni. In the second session, the former students discussed about their future course of action and how they would contribute for the betterment of this historic institution.

Project readiness

The three-month Project Readiness Programme (PRP) of Wipro Technologies Limited that was conducted for the first time outside its own campus, concluded at the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER) on Friday. Faculties from the company, who conducted the programme, invited new recruits, almost entirely from ITER. They were given training and online tests to make them familiar with Wipro’s way of functioning and requirements. The programme had begun on March 16. P.B.Kotur, general manager (talent transformation) of Wipro said ITER is the first institute that volunteered to help and enabled the training programme to be conducted with ease. Kotur also felicitated the toppers of various groups during the training.   

Social activism

A training camp for students who have enrolled under the National Service Scheme (NSS) was held at the Jaleswar Women’s College last week. The participants were provided necessary training on sanitation and cleanliness, blood donation and other social welfare activities. Girls of the college took part in the events with great enthusiasm. One of the students said the training on sanitation and cleanliness would help them in everyday life and they would make it a point to keep their surroundings clean. The students said this would be their small step towards a greater Swachh Bharat campaign. 

Hostel agitation 

Boarders of Silver Jubilee Hostel  of Sambalpur University staged an agitation outside the administrative building of the varsity. The girls protested against the poor quality of food served in the hostel. Vice-chancellor of the university 
C.R. Tripathy reached the spot and talked to the agitating students. The general secretary of the girls hostel, Krishna Pradhan, and the president of the students’ union of the hostels, Abinash Patel, was also present during the agitation. They discussed the problems faced by the boarders with the vice-chancellor. The students withdrew the agitation after the vice-chancellor assured them that appropriate steps would be taken immediately to resolve the matter. Accompanied by students, the vice-chancellor also paid a visit to the hostel to check things for himself and take stock of the situation.

Training

The International Management Institute (IMI), Bhubaneswar, is holding a three-month training programme for defence personnel from all the three wings of the Indian Armed Forces —Army, Air Force and Navy. The programme is aimed at sharpening their life skills and guiding them to select the right career after retirement. Inaugurating the training programme on August 3, Ramesh Behl, the director of the institute said the programme had been assigned by the directorate general of resettlement for the second consecutive year. The 12-week training programme will teach the participants core subjects such as marketing and sales, economics, business decision modules, human resource management, accounting and operations management. The courses are programmed to prepare them for a corporate 
career in the near future. 

Pre-poll violence

Tension prevailed on the campus of Government  Science College, Chhatrapur, following a clash between two groups of students over tearing of posters. An aspirant for the post of students’ union president Ranjit Rath and Biswaranjan Das, who is contesting for post of the secretary, had pasted the posters. Principal Pramod Kumar Dwivedi called the police when the clash took an ugly turn. Policemen swung into action and maintained order on the campus. Since the students’ union election is just around the corner, such incidents are becoming a regular feature in many colleges of the state and the authorities need to be alert to quell such violent incidents.