On April 11th, 2025, Techno India University proudly hosted the Next Gen HR Tech-Conclave—touted as the biggest HR conclave in Eastern India. Organised in collaboration with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and the university’s pathbreaking vertical, the School of the Future, the event stood as a testament to the university’s commitment to innovation in education and workforce development. At the helm of this initiative was Mr. Meghdut RoyChowdhury, Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group and Co-Chair of the West Bengal Chapter of PHDCCI, whose forward-thinking vision set the tone for a day full of learning, dialogue, and collaboration. Bringing together an impressive spectrum of HR professionals, technocrats, academicians, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, the conclave opened important conversations on how technology, inclusivity, and skill-building are redefining the future of work.
The event commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, symbolising the beginning of a journey into the evolving world of HR technology and workforce transformation. Among the distinguished guests who lit the ceremonial lamp and addressed the gathering was Mr. Subhajit Ranajit Chaudhuri, Co-Chair of the West Bengal Chapter of PHDCCI and Managing Director of MMD Heavy Machinery (India) Pvt. Ltd. His address underlined the importance of aligning HR practices with industry needs and innovation.
Mr. Amitkumar Shrivastava, Distinguished Engineer at Global Fujitsu, brought a global perspective, emphasising the growing influence of AI, data, and automation in redefining HR operations. Mr. Vinod Dugar, Chair of the West Bengal Chapter of PHDCCI, Promoter of RDB Group, and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Malawi in Kolkata, reflected on the need for future-ready strategies in talent management and international collaboration.
Mr. Meghdut RoyChowdhury inspired the audience with his visionary outlook, highlighting the university’s commitment to equipping young professionals not just for employment, but for leadership and innovation in a fast-changing digital economy. He spoke of the importance of “human-centric innovation” and how educational institutions must reimagine their role in the workforce ecosystem.
Adding valuable insight was Mr. Sankar Ghosh, Managing Director at Accenture and Technology Solutions Lead for Growth Markets, who spoke on how digital transformation is revolutionising HR at scale. Finally, Mr. Sanjay Thapa, Co-Chair of the West Bengal Chapter of PHDCCI and Founder & MD of SAPE Events and Media Pvt. Ltd., emphasised the importance of strengthening academia-industry partnerships to ensure sustainable talent pipelines.
Technical Session I: Neo-HR Trends and Human Capital Transformation
The first technical session, “Neo-HR Trends”, was moderated by Dr. Manas K Mandal, Visiting Professor at IIT Kharagpur, Adjunct Professor at NIAS, and former Director General at DRDO. His presence added great depth to the session, setting the stage for a rich exchange of ideas.
Mr. Sumit Agarwal, SDG Ambassador for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Icon of the Election Commission of India, spoke passionately about fostering inclusive and equitable workspaces. His talk stressed that diversity must go beyond policy—it must become an integral part of workplace culture.
Mr. Sribesh Beltharia, Senior VP-HR at Shyam Steel, provided perspectives on managing large-scale talent acquisition and adapting HR strategies to changing employee expectations. Mr. Sitanath Mukhopadhyay, Assistant Director (Gr. I) at the MSME Department, elaborated on the government’s focus on upskilling and how MSMEs can benefit from adaptive HR frameworks.
Mr. Pankaj Alwani, DGM at Patanjali Foods Ltd., discussed the challenges of recruitment in fast-paced sectors, while Mr. Uday Guha, CHRO at Rashmi Group, emphasised the rising need for mental health support and resilience training in the workplace. Rounding off the session was Mr. Partha Sarkar, Head of Talent Transformation at TCS, who illustrated how learning and development methodologies must evolve to nurture next-gen skills.
Technical Session II: HR Technology & Industry-Academia Linkage
The second technical session, “Technology Upgradation in HR & Industry-Academia Linkage”, explored how cutting-edge tools and partnerships can redefine HR practices. The session was led by Mr. Bodhisattwa Mukherjee, Ex-Director of WTC Mumbai and Ex-Additional Director at ICC, who opened the discussion with thoughtful insights on the need for dynamic collaboration between academia and industry.
Mr. Gaurang Agarwal, Managing Director of Mechbrain India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted how automation and analytics are becoming indispensable to modern HR operations. Mr. Santanu Goswami, Director of Trackbee Data Solutions Pvt. Ltd., stressed the importance of real-time data in making informed HR decisions.
Returning to the stage, Mr. Amitkumar Shrivastava expanded on the role of AI in HR planning and discussed ethical considerations in data handling. Mr. Sandip Mukutmani, Deputy Manager of HR & Admin at MMD Heavy Machinery (India) Pvt. Ltd., presented how digital tools are being used effectively in core industries for managing teams and improving performance.
Adding a unique entrepreneurial perspective, Mr. Cyan Mookherjee, Founder of 221B Baker ST and known as “The Idea Guy,” spoke about creativity in HR processes and gamified learning. Mr. Somneel Saha, Founder and CEO of Createon Games, shared his experience in building a startup team and using game-based platforms for skill evaluation and retention.
A Day to Remember: Reflections and Networking
After a day filled with deep discussions, powerful insights, and visionary ideas, the conclave concluded with a vibrant networking lunch. Participants, including students, faculty, corporate leaders, and government officials, exchanged ideas and formed connections that are likely to spark future collaborations.
The Next Gen HR Tech-Conclave 2025 was more than just an event—it was a shared commitment to shaping a smarter, more inclusive, and future-ready workforce. Through this gathering, Techno India University once again proved its dedication to innovation-driven education and industry synergy. As the world of work continues to evolve, such platforms will play a crucial role in ensuring that institutions, industries, and individuals move forward—together.