Tech for Net Zero: IMI Kolkata’s Landmark Global Conference on Technology, Sustainability, and Management

January 4, 2026

In the closing days of 2025, International Management Institute (IMI) Kolkata emerged as a pivotal hub for global discourse on the future of business and sustainability. From December 26 to 29, the institute hosted the 19th ISDSI Global Conference 2025, themed “Tech for Net Zero: Digital Solutions for a Sustainable Planet”. This four-day event brought together an extraordinary assembly of B-school leaders, scholars, policymakers, industry executives, investors, and entrepreneurs from 26 countries, perfectly aligning with the focus on technology, sustainability, and management.

A Convergence of Minds

The conference attracted participation from all 21 Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), top business schools like SPJIMR, FORE, and IMT Ghaziabad, as well as international accreditation bodies such as EFMD, AACSB, and AMBA. Over 1,218 research papers were submitted, showcasing cutting-edge ideas at the intersection of digital innovation and sustainable development.

The inaugural address by Prof. Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIM Ahmedabad, set an inspiring tone. He emphasized how waves of technology have reshaped global business and urged India to leverage digital tools for societal good, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Highlights and Discussions

Flagship Directors’ Panels featured leaders from premier institutions discussing critical topics:

• The future of MBA education in a digital era.
• The role of business schools in India’s net-zero transition, stressing the integration of sustainability into curricula, research, and operations.
• Insights from Indian Knowledge Systems on contemporary leadership.

Additional sessions included masterclasses on ESG and Theory of Constraints, workshops on publishing and analytics, and panels on women entrepreneurship and startup ecosystems.

A standout feature was the Global Investment Summit organized under IMI Kolkata’s incubator, IKN Innovation Foundation. 57 startups pitched their ideas after intensive mentoring, resulting in nine securing investment commitments totaling ₹5.1 crore. The event also launched Grameen NEEV, a sustainability accelerator in collaboration with the Grameen Foundation for Social Impact.

A Step Toward a Sustainable Future

Concluding the conference, Prof. Mohua Banerjee, Director of IMI Kolkata, highlighted how the event strengthened global collaborations among scholars, practitioners, and industry leaders. Prof. Bhimaraya Metri, President of ISDSI-Global, called it a landmark in advancing management research.

This conference not only positioned IMI Kolkata at the forefront of discussions on technology-enabled sustainability but also translated ideas into action—through investments, accelerators, and policy insights. As the world races toward net-zero goals, events like these remind us that innovative management education is key to driving meaningful change.

IMI Kolkata continues to lead in fostering dialogues that bridge academia, industry, and sustainability—proving that business schools are essential architects of a greener, tech-driven tomorrow.