HR Next 2.0: A Premier HR Conclave at CIMP
The Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) hosted its flagship event, HR Next 2.0, on Friday, bringing together top human resource leaders from across the country. The event focused on how artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and evolving skill requirements are reshaping the future of work. Held on the CIMP campus, this year’s conclave marked a significant expansion from its inaugural edition, drawing increased participation from both academia and industry.
The event began with a ceremonial lamp-lighting, symbolizing the commencement of a knowledge-sharing journey. Prof. Vibhash Kumar, Placement Chairperson and Chair of the HR Next Conclave, delivered the welcome address. He described the conclave as “a dynamic platform designed to harness insights from the nation’s most distinguished HR professionals.” The 2025 edition introduced new segments such as HR Unplugged, HR Tech Session, HR InnovateX, HR Quest – ET Quiz, and the HR Pinnacle Awards.
AI’s Role in Shaping HR Practices
Prof. (Dr.) Rana Singh, Director of CIMP, emphasized the critical need for HR professionals to stay abreast of technological advancements. “India, being one of the largest providers of human capital globally, must continuously upgrade its HR capabilities,” he stated. He highlighted that AI is revolutionizing workplace ecosystems and organizational cultures, making collaboration between academia and industry more necessary than ever.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Raj Kumar Dubey, Director of Human Resources at Bharat Petroleum and Chairman of Indraprastha Gas Ltd, echoed these sentiments. “Businesses often have more data about their employees than HR departments do,” he said, pointing out the growing influence of AI. He stressed the importance of developing HR skills that incorporate technology while maintaining a human-centric approach.
Industry Leaders Share Insights
The conclave featured an impressive lineup of Guests of Honour from leading organizations such as Indian Oil Corporation, KPIT Technologies, Brigade Group, Bandhan Bank, Oracle, Nuvoco Cements, Ultratech Cement, GE Transportation, and Attitude & Intelligence Learning Systems. These seasoned professionals brought valuable perspectives on the future of work and HR transformation.
Panel Discussions: Exploring the Next Frontier
HR Unplugged: Smart Tech with a Human Touch
This session, moderated by CIMP’s Rajasshrie Pillai, featured panelists Mr. Raj Kumar Dubey, Dr. Mukesh Ranjan Das, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Mr. Shivesh Singh, and Mr. Sajid Iqbal. The discussion delved into how AI-driven systems are revolutionizing workforce management, recruitment processes, and organizational culture. Panelists emphasized the importance of balancing technological efficiency with empathy and human connection.
HR Tech Session: The AI Revolution in Hiring
Led by Mr. Setu Shah, Senior Director of Global Product Strategy at Oracle, this session explored the integration of AI in recruitment, predictive analytics, agile HR operations, and responsible data usage. Mr. Shah explained how automation and intelligent insights are enabling “faster, fairer, and more efficient hiring in the digital era.”
Skills Every Future Manager Needs
Moderated by Prof. Mamta Singh, this panel included Mr. Prasenjit Das, Ms. Rina Pandey, Mr. Amir Usmani, and Mr. Kumar Priyaranjan. The conversation centered on essential competencies such as adaptability, data literacy, design thinking, emotional intelligence, and human-centered leadership — all deemed critical for the next generation of managers.
Fostering Innovation and Competitiveness
The HR InnovateX Hackathon provided a platform for student innovators to present their solutions to real-world HR challenges. Six finalist teams showcased their ideas before a panel of industry experts. Meanwhile, the HR Quest – ET Quiz, held in collaboration with The Economic Times, tested participants’ knowledge of current HR trends.
- First Place: Anjali Sinha & team
- Second Place: Kumar Nishant & team
- Third Place: Devansh Seth & team
The winners were lauded for their clarity, analytical depth, and teamwork, making a strong impression on the judges and audience alike.
Recognizing Excellence in Human Resources
The conclave concluded with the HR Pinnacle Awards, honoring organizations that demonstrated outstanding achievements in areas such as learning and development, organizational culture, digital transformation, inclusion, and talent strategy. These awards served as a fitting finale to an event that participants described as one of CIMP’s most impactful industry-academia engagements to date.
In the closing address, Mr. Kumod Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer at CIMP, reflected on the event’s success. “HR Next 2.0 has been more than an event—it has been a collective journey toward shaping the future of human resource management,” he said.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.
