On 14^th February 2025, SP Jain Global and Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli, hosted an international conference on Emerging Trends in Commerce and Management for Sustainable Development.

Led by Dr Christopher Abraham, CEO & Head of Campus (Dubai) at SP Jain Global, the event brought together 387 participants, 342 in person and 45 online, highlighting its far reaching impact. Academicians, researchers, industry leaders, and students engaged in insightful discussions on sustainability’s role in commerce and management.

Embracing sustainability and innovation, the conference explored emerging trends in business and management that align with sustainable principles. It provided a platform for participants to engage with new business models, strategies, and technologies shaping a more responsible future.

Academics and practitioners contributed research papers addressing key challenges and opportunities in sustainable commerce and management. Following a peer review process, selected papers were published as a book, further advancing the discourse on sustainable development.

The conference aimed to achieve goals by embracing sustainability and innovation in commerce and management. It assessed innovative business models aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and explored the transformative role of digital technologies like AI and blockchain in driving efficiency and sustainability.

Discussions also focused on promoting inclusive economic growth through financial management, banking, and entrepreneurship, while promoting sustainable marketing practices that encourage responsible consumption. 

Additionally, the conference highlighted global collaboration, encouraging partnerships between academia, research, and industry to advance sustainability focused education and solutions.

Highlights from the event

Expert presentations:

• Dr Lakshmi Subramani shared insights on how Artificial intelligence and blockchain can revolutionise supply chain management for greater sustainability, sparking strong interest among attendees.
• Dr Nada D. (Director of Sustainability/ESG/ESR), discussed practical strategies for SME’s to accelerate sustainability efforts and drive industry impact.

Student led industry projects:

• Mehak Bagga, Sarthak Rao, and Jeeshant Sawant presented their research on evolving challenges in marine transit for Quest Marine LLC.
• Falguni Jain and Vidisha Kumari showcased their work on Parampara Online.
• Pratishtha Ahuja, Dhanesh Agarwal, and Deepak Jain highlighted their industry project focused on Fluence Pay..
• These projects were selected for publication at the conference, demonstrating SP Jain students’ innovative contributions to real-world challenges.

This event provided a platform for meaningful discussions on sustainability in business. By bringing together thought leaders and students, the conference emphasised the importance of innovation, collaboration, and responsible practices in addressing global challenges like climate change and inequality. It also reinforced the critical role of sustainable business strategies in driving positive change.

Events like this reflect SP Jain Global and Holy Cross College’s commitment to academic excellence and leadership development.