Invited Speakers
Prof. Arunkumar Khannur
Prof. Arunkumar Khannur is a Subject Matter Expert, master trainer, consultant, advisor, author, and serial entrepreneur. He has 35+ Years of blended Professional Experience in the Software Industry (24+ Years) and Academia (11+ Years). Earlier he worked for WIPRO, Logica, Planetasia, QAI, QSIT, ISQT, SDMCET. He is responsible for building Entrepreneurship and Startups Development, and Centre of Excellence.
Prof.. Khannur has global and cross-cultural work experience in 11 countries namely, India, China, Russia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Slovenia. UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization. has recognized him as an International Expert on Software Quality and Engineering, and availed his services for an assignment in Russia.
Prof.. Khannur has authored 7 technical books; published 3 Scopus indexed papers; organized more than 300 conferences; delivered Key Notes across the world in many countries; and also contributed to World Bank-funded TEQIP-I, TEQIP-II, and NAAC as a consultant. He executed 100+ large projects in software development, software testing, and the World Bank-funded training programs.
Mr. Khannur is active in social entrepreneurship development, social innovation, startup mentoring, ideation – pre-incubation – Incubation, and organizing events in these areas to create social value. Khannur is a recipient of the Mahatma Gandhi International Peace Award for Social Entrepreneurship and Leadership (2019) and the Chalukya Award for contributions in Science and Technology in Karnataka State. He contributed as a Primary Evaluator in the Toycathon 2021 event hosted by the Ministry of Education Innovation Cell. He also was a grand Jury for ELEVATE 2021, Karnataka Startup Cell, Government of Karnataka. CEO Insights Magazine recognized him as Top 10 Chief Strategy Officers in India in Aug 2023.
Dr Anil Kapoor
Lt Gen Dr Anil Kapoor AVSM, VSM superannuated as Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers strategically leading the landscape of maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) and technology and innovation management of the complete plethora of equipment of the Indian Army. Prior to this appointment he was the Director General Information Systems, where he steered the information systems management, digital technology transformation and net centricity of the million strong Indian Army as a Tri Service Program. He has also been on two UN peacekeeping assignments. He was Senior Logistics Officer in UN Mission in Angola (1995) and Deputy Chief Integrated Support Services in UN Mission in Sudan (2008) and actively participated in the war zone in Op Vijay (Kargil -1999), Op Parakram (2001-02) and Op Snow Leopard (Eastern Ladakh 2020) during his military career. Post retirement, he served as Director General Amity University where he established Amity Institute of Defence Technology and formulated Ph D and M Tech Programs in Defence Technology. Presently, he is a Board Member of the Technology Innovation Hub Governing Body IIT Tirupati. He is also a Professor of Practice at IIT Tirupati and Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal.
He has been nominated as the Vice President and Chairman National Advisory Committee Asset Management Society India, Senior Advisor Technology Indus International Research Foundation and Strategic Advisor and Mentor (Technology) at MIF – Kavach supported by Invest India.The General is a qualified Master Class Independent Director and member of Institute of Directors and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.Has been guiding Start Ups and entrepreneurs in building a robust culture of innovation, technology and business development.
With over 42 years of professional experience, he is extremely proficient in leading large-scale technology, ICT and Information Systems projects, Big Data analytics and AI, management of technology transition, combat force regeneration, MRO and life cycle sustenance support. Adept at steering public policies given his diverse experience in operations he has been a part of a number of initiatives on supply chain and logistics, procurement, contracts, DAP 2020 formulation while in Service and post retirement to steer perspective issues on force modernisation, industry engagement and shaping technical minds for the future.
An accomplished thought leader with a proven track record, he has been acknowledged for his capabilities in delivering innovative, effective technical and engineering products and services. In a first of its kind, he conceptualised and drove a Life Cycle Sustenance Support Philosophy and Practices for Digital Era, Exercise Vishwakarma for technical skill development and a Lab to Market (Field Army) Strategy for innovative products and MRO best practices in the Army. A Chartered Engineer, he was awarded the Eminent Engineer Award 2020 on 15 Sep 2020 by the Institution of Engineers, India for outstanding professional contributions in engineering and displaying technical brilliance.
The General is a Gold Medalist both in B Tech (Electronics) and Master of Engineering (Mechanical) with an expertise in Radars& Guided Missiles and M Phil in Strategic Management of Technology. He has been awarded the PhD for his thesis in Defence Industrial Base as a Key Determinant of Capability Building and Capacity Development of India. The General Officer is also recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM 2004) for outstanding professional performance in Operation Parakram and AtiVishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2020 by the President of India for professional contributions as DGEME & DGIS.
The hobbies of the General Officer include trekking, travel and tourism, playing sports, golfing, motivation speaking and professional reading. The General is a prolific writer and an international speaker. Has been a keynote and invited speaker at Lulea University of Technology Sweden, CSR Conclave of IOD, IIRF, Inspace and Techworld forums. He is on the Advisory Committee of Processing, Fabrication and Advanced Materials International Conference, Indian Society for Training & Development, Kolkata Chapter, Tech Observer India, Engineering Council Of India, to name a few.He speaks on Technology Sovereignty, Global MRO Mosaic of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Industrial Automation to Industrial Autonomy, NextGen Asset Management & MRO, Preventive Periodic Management to Predictive Prescriptive Maintenance, Life Cycle Sustenance Support, UN SDGs,Technology Sovereignty, CSR, Entrepreneurship and Start Up Eco system, Design Thinking and Learning to Think Strategically.
Dr. Irala Lokanandha Reddy
Dr. Irala Loakanandha Reddy is a graduate in Econometrics, Postgraduate in Business Administration & PhD in Management Science (Finance).
He had published in such journals as Journal of Asia Pacific Economy, Indian Journal of Finance, Indian Economic Journal, IUP Journal of Applied Finance, Journal of Accounting & Finance, AIMS Journal of Management, Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship, Banks and Bank Systems to name a few. He had presented several papers in National and International conferences.
As a successful trainer, Dr. Irala had designed, delivered, and delivered several FDPs, Workshops, Seminars, and Training programmes in the areas of Analytical Finance, Pedagogical tools in Management Education, Case Teaching, Case Writing, Research Methods, SPSS and Excel Applications.
Dr. Irala is an FDP alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, where he was trained on Research Methods and Case Pedagogy in Management.
As a passionate teacher of Finance, his interests include Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Spreadsheet Modelling and Business Analytics. Dr. Irala had held several administrative positions at University of Hyderabad. His academic administrative experience covers such areas as Programme design, Curriculum development, regulatory compliance, Quality assurance, Accreditation, strategic leadership, and institution building. Dr. Irala holds a Level 5 certificate in Management & Leadership from Chartered Management Institute, United Kingdom.
In addition to his regular responsibilities as a Professor at School of Management Studies, Dr. Irala is serving as the Finance Officer(i/c) of the University of Hyderabad, where he manages a 1000 crore balance sheet with an annual spending of about 400 crores.
Dr. NS Reddy
Dr. N S Reddy, Professor in Geyongsang National University, , Korea. He completed Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in the year of 2004.His robust skill set that includes University Teaching, Higher Education, Theory, Science, Ensino Superior and more, n’s Reddy contributes valuable insights to the industry. He published 150+ papers in IEEE, springer, Elsewear and scopus indexed journals. A new study led by scientists from Stanford University recently published a comprehensive list that identified the Top 2% most Influential scientists worldwide (career impact) (1960-2020). The report was prepared by Prof. John PA Loannidis of Stanford University and his team and published by Elsevier. Most of the researchers in this list are from the leading universities like IISc, IITs, NITs, and IIITs.
