SP Jain Dubai Hosts Business and Sustainability Competition, Highlighting Intergenerational Collaboration

Dubai, December 6, 2024 – The SP Jain School of Global Management, Dubai, hosted its highly anticipated Business and Sustainability Competition, showcasing innovative solutions to real-world challenges and fostering meaningful intergenerational collaboration. Held at the Dubai Academic City campus, the event brought together 70 students from the Master of Global Business (MGB) and Global Master of Business Administration (GMBA) programs and an elite panel of industry leaders.

The competition, organized by Dr. Nada Sayarh, Associate Professor and Deputy Director of Sustainability at SP Jain, aimed to engage master’s students in addressing pressing sustainability challenges while raising awareness about ethical business practices. By integrating sustainability into the curriculum, the event reflected SP Jain’s commitment to shaping responsible global leaders. The event commenced with an inspiring address by Vice President Lakshmi Raman, who emphasized SP Jain Global’ s unwavering commitment to shaping responsible future leaders and its dedication to becoming a driving force for sustainability and positive impact in the region.

Students presented a variety of projects covering diverse topics within the realm of sustainability, from reducing carbon emissions and tackling waste to leveraging cutting-edge technology, and promoting sustainable business solutions were truly remarkable. These ideas demonstrated how sustainability can drive responsible and profitable business practices… There were also circular economy-based solutions those were highly praised by the jury and encouraged to be submitted to national competitions. The winning teams captivated the audience with their groundbreaking ideas, presenting innovative projects such as Revolutionizing Hospitality Sustainability, Eco Sustain Solutions – Integrated Solutions for a Greener Tomorrow, Bite Me – Edible Cutlery, Eco Fusion, and Ecosphere. These forward-thinking projects stood out for their creativity, feasibility, and potential for meaningful impact.

Designed to bridge academia and industry, the competition emphasized sustainability and innovation. Students’ projects were rigorously evaluated by an esteemed jury panel comprising:

1. Priya Sarma – Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Head, Unilever
2. Pavan Chilukuri – Vice President/Global Head CCUS, Holcim Technology
3. Ayush Srivastava – Senior Director Sustainability, S&P Global
4. Urooj Farhat Khan – ESG Assurance Leader & Audit Director, KPMG
5. Yasin Kasirga – Decarbonization Leader Middle East & Africa, GE Vernova
6. Dr. P. R. Jagannathan – Senior General Manager Sustainability, Sobha Realty
7. Burak Ak – Quality & Sustainability Manager, Rixos Hotels
8. Ninoksha D’Souza – Sustainability Lead, Advertising Business Group
9. Samiullah Khan – Chief Sustainability Officer, Fakhruddin Holdings
10. Samuel Tabarelli – CEO, Clean Air Enterprise Middle East
11. Amitesh Anand – CEO, FloCard

The event culminated in a dynamic intergenerational panel discussion and Q&A session, where students—representing Gen Z—engaged directly with seasoned professionals. This exchange bridged generational perspectives, with students contributing fresh, forward-thinking ideas and industry leaders sharing decades of expertise.

“This dialogue was a meeting of minds—where the energy and creativity of Gen Z complemented the wisdom and experience of the industry veterans,” noted an SP Jain spokesperson.

The event also featured final presentations from the top four student teams, a trophy ceremony, and opportunities to network with industry experts. The event also featured a networking lunch between the esteemed jury members and the SP Jain team, fostering meaningful discussions and paving the way for potential collaborations and strategic partnerships in sustainability and innovation.

“Through this competition, we aim to empower students with essential sustainability skills and create a platform for meaningful engagement between academia and industry. Ethical business practices are not just a choice but a necessity for the future,” said Dr. Christopher Abraham.

SP Jain continues to set new benchmarks in academic excellence and industry engagement, preparing its students to lead with integrity and sustainability in an ever-evolving global business environment.
Intended to connect academia with industry, the competition focused on sustainability and innovation. Students’ projects underwent thorough evaluation by a panel of esteemed business executives. The event concluded with an engaging intergenerational panel discussion and Q&A segment, during which students-symbolizing Gen Z-interacted directly with experienced professionals. This dialogue connected generational viewpoints, as students offered innovative, modern ideas while industry leaders imparted years of experience.

“This conversation was a convergence of ideas where the enthusiasm and innovation of Gen Z harmonized with the knowledge and insights of the seasoned professionals in the industry,” remarked a representative from SP Jain.

The event included concluding presentations from the leading four student teams, a trophy award ceremony, and chances to connect with industry professionals. The event included a networking lunch that brought together the distinguished jury members and the SP Jain team, encouraging significant conversations and opening opportunities for future collaborations and strategic alliances in sustainability and innovation.

“With this competition, we strive to equip students with vital sustainability skills and establish a platform for significant interaction between academia and industry.” Dr Christopher Abraham stated, ‘Ethical business practices are essential for the future, not merely an option.’

SP Jain persistently establishes fresh standards in academic quality and industry involvement, equipping its students to lead with ethics and sustainability in a constantly changing global business landscape.