National Level Conference on Sustainable Development and Digital Transformation Held at St. Josephs College!
The Department of Commerce (Shift II), St. Josephs College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, organized a One-Day National Level Virtual Conference on Sustainable Development, Digital Transformation, and Emerging Paradigms in Commerce and Management on 23 January 2026 through online mode.
The conference commenced at 10.00 a.m. with an invocation, followed by the inaugural session. Dr. B. Augustine Arockiaraj, Coordinator, Department of Commerce (Shift II), delivered the welcome address and highlighted the significance of the conference theme in the context of contemporary global economic, technological, and environmental challenges.

The inaugural session was presided over by Rev. Dr. S. Mariadoss, SJ, Principal of St. Josephs College. In his presidential address, he emphasized the critical importance of sustainability in the present global scenario, stating that economic growth must be harmonized with environmental protection and social responsibility. He stressed that sustainable development is no longer a choice but a necessity for future generations. Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhis principles, he highlighted values such as simple living, ethical business practices, responsible consumption, and harmony with nature, underscoring their relevance in addressing current environmental and social issues. He further emphasized the role of educational institutions in nurturing socially responsible and ethically driven future business leaders.
The Inaugural Address was delivered by Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Management, SRM Ramapuram Campus, Chennai, who spoke on the integration of sustainability and digital transformation in modern business strategies. The Conference Proceedings were formally released by the Principal, marking a significant academic contribution of the event.
During the inaugural session, Dr. J. Vinoth Kumar, Conference Coordinator, presented the Dynamics of the Conference, outlining its objectives, thematic focus, and programme structure. He explained that the conference aimed to provide a comprehensive academic platform for deliberation on sustainable development, digital transformation, and emerging paradigms in commerce and management, while promoting interdisciplinary research, skill-oriented learning, and industry-relevant discussions.
The inaugural session concluded with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Dr. J. Berkmans, Organising Secretary, who expressed his gratitude to the management, Principal, resource persons, participants, faculty members, research scholars, and the organizing committee for their cooperation and support.
Technical Sessions
Technical Session I, held at 10.45 a.m., was handled by Dr. D. Raja Jebasingh, Associate Professor and Vice Principal (Liaison), St. Josephs College of Commerce (Autonomous), Bengaluru. He emphasized the importance of skill development in commerce and management education, highlighting the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, and digital decision-making tools in preparing industry-ready graduates.

Technical Session II, conducted at 12.00 noon, was led by Dr. Mahendra G, Assistant Professor of Commerce, Government First Grade Womens College, Karnataka. He elaborated on the role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressed issues related to environmental pollution, climate change, industrial waste, and social responsibility.
Following the lunch break, a Paper Presentation Session was held from 2.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m., during which registered participants presented research papers on sustainability, digital finance, ESG practices, green marketing, innovation, and emerging trends in commerce and management. The session was moderated by academicians from reputed institutions.
Technical Session III, held at 3.00 p.m., featured Dr. Asad Ahmad, Assistant Professor of Management, Jamia Hamdard Deemed to be University, New Delhi. He delivered an insightful lecture on Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0 and 5.0, explaining how advanced technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, and human-centric innovation are reshaping business and management practices. He also highlighted the contribution of digital transformation to national productivity and GDP growth, positioning Industry 4.0 and 5.0 as key drivers of Indias economic development.
Valedictory Session
The conference concluded with the Valedictory Session at 4.00 p.m. Felicitations were offered by Mr. T. Antony Diwakar Chandran, Vice Principal (Shift II), and Dr. D. Kumar, Deputy Principal, St. Josephs College. The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Dr. J. Vinoth Kumar, Organising Secretary.
The conference served as a meaningful academic platform for knowledge sharing and intellectual deliberation, reinforcing the institutions commitment to sustainability, skill development, digital transformation, and nation-building through quality education.