New
Delhi: Birla
Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), a premier business school located
in Greater Noida, India, hosted its annual flagship event, Hermes’ Dialogue
6.0, organized by the PGDM-International Business program. The event serves as
a platform for global dialogue, where ideas converge to foster meaningful
international discourse.
This year’s theme,
“Should Countries Prioritize Energy Independence to Ensure Global Energy
Security Amid Rising Geopolitical Uncertainty?”, addressed a question of
growing significance in today’s rapidly evolving global energy landscape. As
energy is no longer merely an economic resource but also a geopolitical tool,
the theme resonated strongly with contemporary global challenges.
The national-level
competition witnessed participation from premier business schools across India,
recording an impressive 250+ registrations. The total prize pool stood at
₹60,000.
12 nations
represented included the United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, Brazil,
Russia, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China, Australia, the United
States, and Japan.
The event comprised
multiple rounds: an initial knowledge-based assessment on Unstop to evaluate
cognitive agility and decision-making, followed by a case submission round
showcasing analytical and multidimensional thinking, and culminating in a final
round—a battle of perspectives. In this round, participants represented
different nations and articulated their viewpoints on energy independence,
simulating deliberations akin to those at the United Nations and G20 forums.
Finalists hailed
from esteemed institutions such as IIM Udaipur, IIM Rohtak, BIMTECH, Shri Ram
College of Commerce, IIT Patna, International Management Institute, FORE School
of Management, Great Lakes Institute of Management, National Insurance Academy
and NIA Pune.
The event concluded
with Team LeBroom from IIM Rohtak emerging as the winners. Team Magnus from
FORE School of Management secured the second position, followed by Team
Strategy from Shri Ram College of Commerce as the second runners-up.
The distinguished
jury panel featured Mr. Rajeev Kher, IAS (Retd.), Former Commerce Secretary,
Government of India, and Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, IAS (Retd.), Principal Advisor,
International Trade Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry. Their evaluations
were based on critical dimensions of international trade, diplomacy, and
policy-making.
Highlighting the
relevance of the theme, Mr. Rajeev Kher remarked, “The topic is becoming more
relevant every hour, particularly in the context of global negotiations.” Mr.
Sumanta Chaudhuri added a thought-provoking perspective: “Strategic alliances
today may become liabilities tomorrow, and today’s liabilities can evolve into
strategic alliances in the future.” These insights underscored the dynamic and
evolving nature of global energy politics.
Dr. Prabina Rajib,
Director, BIMTECH, emphasized the need to view global energy security as a
comprehensive challenge that extends beyond supply concerns to include
technological advancements, trade policies, and shifting dependencies on
critical minerals.
Hermes’ Dialogue,
the flagship initiative of the Cosmopolitan Club of the PGDM International
Business program at BIMTECH, continues to establish itself as a platform that
blends experiential learning with critical discourse. Through such initiatives,
BIMTECH reaffirms its commitment to nurturing future leaders who are not only
capable managers but also globally aware thinkers.
The event also
served as a tribute to the legacy of the founders, Late Basant Kumar Birla and
Late Sarala Birla. Upholding their vision, the institute continues to strive
towards developing globally responsible leaders with an entrepreneurial
mindset, focused on sustainability and inclusive growth, while maintaining
prestigious accreditations such as AACSB, NBA, and NAAC.