UIAMS, Panjab University Hosts National Symposium AMES 2026 Sub-headline:

Chandigarh, March 20, 2026: University Institute of Applied Management Sciences (UIAMS), Panjab University, Chandigarh, organised a National Symposium titled “Applied Management in Emerging Sectors amid Geopolitical Shifts: Indigenisation and Technology Ecosystems (AMES 2026)” on March 20, 2026. The symposium brought together distinguished academicians, industry experts, policymakers, and students to deliberate on contemporary challenges and opportunities in management practices shaped by global geopolitical dynamics and technological advancements.
The event commenced with a formal inaugural session, where Prof. Anupreet Kaur Mavi, Director, UIAMS, extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries and participants. The Chief Guest, Dr P. J. Singh, Director & Chairman, Tynor Orthotics Pvt. Ltd., delivered a thought-provoking address, highlighting that India must focus on scaling up its industrial capabilities in a rapidly changing global order. He pointed out that while innovative ideas are emerging, their lack of scalability remains a key challenge. Reflecting on disruptions such as COVID-19 and geopolitical conflicts, he emphasised the vulnerabilities of global supply chains and the need for businesses to transition from efficiency-driven models to those rooted in strategic resilience. He further stressed that academic research must translate into tangible products and that academia should actively contribute to nation-building.
The symposium was coordinated by Dr Manjushri Sharma and Dr Amandeep Singh Marwaha, whose efforts ensured the smooth execution of the event.
The symposium was further enriched by the presence of esteemed Guests of Honour, including Prof. Dhiraj K. Mahajan, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Ropar, and Ekta Thakur, Chairperson & Managing Trustee, The Venus Foundation. In her address, Ekta Thakur highlighted the importance of community-oriented development and encouraged students to take up roles as social entrepreneurs to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.
A major highlight of the symposium was the round table discussions on Industry–Academia Interface, conducted in two sessions and featuring eminent experts from academia, healthcare, finance, technology, and education sectors. The discussions witnessed participation from Gurbhajnik Singh, Dr Ajay Sharma, Dr Sonu Goel, Dr Niraj Bala, Shashi Mansotra, Dr Babita Arora, Dr Jaswinder Singh, Prof. Jagat Bhushan, Vijender S. Bachhal, Gladwin Nayyar, and Prof. (Dr) G. M. Sogi.
During the discussions, Gurbhajnik Singh emphasised strategies for risk management in the current volatile economic environment and highlighted the importance of investment and insurance awareness. Dr Ajay Sharma discussed methods to enhance financial literacy, mobilise capital, and evaluate financial opportunities effectively. Dr Sonu Goel encouraged students to identify community problems first and collaborate with stakeholders to develop socially relevant solutions. Dr Niraj Bala inspired students to become job creators rather than job seekers and urged academic institutions to groom students in alignment with the evolving industry environment.
Prof. Jagat Bhushan shared insights on recent advancements in healthcare technology that have made healthcare more affordable and accessible, highlighting initiatives such as e-Sanjeevani and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission as transformative steps in healthcare delivery.
Adding further perspective, Prof. Dhiraj K. Mahajan emphasised the need for institutional handholding at the early stages of innovation and proposed the creation of a “Punjab Development Fund” through contributions from the Punjabi diaspora to support research and development. He also shared the success of his start-up initiative SAANS, which has contributed to saving over 2,200 children through technological intervention.
Post-lunch, participants engaged in abstract presentations, showcasing research and innovative ideas aligned with the symposium theme. The day concluded with a valedictory session, where certificates were distributed to participants and contributors in recognition of their academic and research excellence.
A special interactive session for students was conducted by Tarun Malhotra, Founder & CEO, Cyber Splunk Cybersecurity, who shared insights on emerging cybersecurity trends and career opportunities in the digital age.
The event concluded on a note of appreciation and collaboration, reaffirming UIAMS’s commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and advancing management practices in alignment with evolving global trends.