AIM Seminar / Conference

In the dynamic landscape of supply chains, the convergence of sustainability and digital transformation is of utmost importance. Leveraging innovative technologies, the path toward eco-conscious practices is paved, optimizing resources and minimizing waste. It is within this context that the Global Confluence on Supply Chain Management (SCM) 2K24 was hosted by the Sanchalan team of Army Institute of Management, Kolkata (AIMK), under the theme "Driving Sustainability through Digital Transformation in Modern Supply Chains." The Confluence was organized on 23 March, 2024 by the Procam Centre of Excellence (COE) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at AIMK. It was the 3rd edition being held this year. The Procam COE is an initiative between AIMK and the Procam Group to work on various research projects and provide a platform for students and industry professionals to learn about the latest developments and best practices in logistics and supply chain management.

The venue was graced by the presence of Mr. Shaikh Aminkhan, Additional Commissioner, Customs, West Bengal (Preventive); Prof. (Dr.) Deepankar Sinha, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata; Prof. (Dr.) P. K. Das, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata; Mr. Riddhik Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, BGS Group; Mr. Nilesh Kumar Sinha, Director, Procam Group; Mr. Partha Bhattacharya, Former Vice President (Materials), CESC; Mr. Jaydeb Sengupta, Materials Manager, Kolkata Dock System, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata; Mr. Srinivas Marella, Director, Procam Group and other dignitaries from the world of industry and academia.

The Global Confluence commenced with an auspicious lamp-lighting ceremony, setting the stage for a day of enlightening discussions. Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Principal, AIMK, extended a warm welcome to the speakers and guests, expressing gratitude for the collaboration between AIMK and the Procam Group. Dr. Protik Basu, Chairperson, Operations Management and Director, Procam COE in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at AIMK, outlined the objectives of the Confluence. He focused on the exceptionally talented and experienced faculty members of the Institute dedicated to academic excellence, with special reference to the strong Business Analytics team, composed of Dr. Ayan Chattopadhyay, Dr. Prasenjit Kundu and Prof. Anindya Saha who are working together with Procam in several research projects, along with a few management students. Dr. Basu also provided an overview of Sanchalan 2K24 – the students’ team of AIMK.

The keynote address was given by Mr. Nilesh Sinha, Director of the Procam Group, who highlighted the key areas for knowledge development and elaborated on the functions of the Procam COE. Guest of Honour IRS Shaikh Aminkhan emphasized the significance of understanding the supply chain for sustainability, offering insights into real-world customs procedures. Subsequent speakers, including Dr. Deepankar Sinha and Mr. Riddhik Dutta, shared their expertise on sustainability practices and the integration of digitalization in supply chains. A lively panel discussion, with Prof. (Dr.) P. K. Das as moderator, ensued. Prof. Das connected the dots of all the speakers wonderfully, which made comprehension by the students easier. His expertise and adeptness made the session incredibly insightful and engaging for all participants and ensured that the discussion flowed smoothly, allowing for a thorough exploration of the theme at hand while also accommodating diverse perspectives.

Subsequent to the panel discussion, a formal inauguration of the Procam COE was conducted, graced by the esteemed presence of the Guest of Honour, IRS Shaikh Aminkhan, Mr. Nilesh Sinha and other dignitaries. The ceremony commenced with the traditional lighting of the lamp in front of the Centre followed by the symbolic act of ribbon-cutting, signifying the auspicious beginning of this new endeavour. The inauguration of the Procam COE marked a significant milestone, symbolizing a commitment to advancing research and collaboration in the field. The poster presentation competition by students of several institutes provided a platform for participants to showcase their research, with speakers serving as judges, recognizing outstanding contributions.

Post lunch the Global Confluence on Supply Chain Management entered its second phase with renewed vigour. Mr. Jaydeb Sengupta took the stage to deliver a presentation and there was an extensive deliberation on the Scope of Government E-Marketplace (GeM) in Supply Chain Management. It was followed by Mr. Partha Bhattacharya and Mr. Srinivas Marella, who shared insights into various aspects of sustainability and digitalization in shaping the future of supply chains. The second half of the event was characterized by informative presentations, engaging discussions and a celebration of academic and industry collaboration in driving supply chain innovation. The complete administrative support to the event was provided by Col MKR Varma, Registrar and Head of Adm, AIMK, and his team. The proceedings culminated with the announcement of the winners of the Poster Presentation competition, followed by an expression of gratitude extended by Ms. Seema Chattopadhyay from the Procam Group through a Vote of Thanks.