XISS & IEM Kolkata organise three-day International Conference on Sustainable Marketing Delivering Value (SMDV 2026)

Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi, in association with the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), Kolkata, inaugurated three-day International Conference on Sustainable Marketing Delivering Value (SMDV 2026): From Climate Action to Market Impact through Sus-Tech Innovation & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 26 June 2026.

The conference was formally inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the distinguished guests. The conference brought together eminent academicians, researchers, industry experts, policymakers, and students from India and abroad for three days of deliberations on sustainable technologies, responsible marketing, and the SDGs.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Joseph Marianus Kujur SJ, Director, XISS and General Chair stated that climate change is no longer a distant concern but a lived reality, making sustainability imperative for businesses, institutions, and society. He added that the challenge is to transform climate action into meaningful market impact through innovation, responsible leadership, and sustainable marketing. Green marketing is not about creating a greener image, but a greener reality. The world needs not just discussions on sustainability, but meaningful action driven by research, ethics, and a shared commitment to the common good, he concluded.

Emphasizing the importance of global collaboration, Dr Amar Eron Tigga, Dean, Academics, XISS, highlighted that this conference is a platform where technology, innovation, and sustainability converge to inspire responsible action and solutions that support inclusive and sustainable development.

Dr Satyajit Chakrabarti, Patron of the Conference and Vice Chancellor, UEM Kolkata, remotely addressed the gathering and said that the future of sustainable development depends on our ability to integrate technology, innovation, and responsible leadership. Academic collaborations like SMDV 2026 play a vital role in shaping future-ready leaders and generating solutions that benefit both society and the planet.

Highlighting the role of technology, Mr Diptiman Dasgupta, Group COO, IEM-UEM, said that data centres continue to drive the digital economy, optimizing their energy consumption has become imperative. Green computing provides the framework to measure, optimize, and build more energy-efficient digital ecosystems.

Speaking on responsible business practices, Mr Anupam Bhattacharya, Principal, IEM Kolkata, emphasised stating that sustainable marketing is about creating lasting value for customers, society, and the planet. Businesses must move beyond sales to embrace sustainability, transparency, and purpose as the foundation of responsible growth.

Encouraging students to embrace lifelong learning, Dr Subrata Chattopadhyay, Dean, Management, IEM, urged them that before they step into the world to earn, they must first learn. Conferences like these lay the foundation for meaningful learning and lasting professional success.

Informing on the SMDV 2026, Dr Udit Chawla, Conference Convenor, IEM, discussed that SMDV 2026 has been envisioned as a platform that brings together academia, industry, and policymakers to foster meaningful dialogue, innovative research, and collaborative solutions for a more sustainable future.

The conference was also attended by Heads of Programmes of XISS including Dr Kumar Mohit Spring, Dr Anant Kumar, Dr Bhabani Prasad Mahapatra along with faculty members, Dr Pratyush Ranjan, Dr Tanmay Pattanayak and others. The participants of the conference were from India, Lithunia, Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Thailand, and Dubai.

The inaugural day also featured the felicitation of recipients of the Business Excellence Awards, followed by keynote addresses, technical deliberations, and research paper presentations on themes including climate-responsive marketing, green branding, circular economy, sustainable supply chains, artificial intelligence for sustainability, fintech innovations, and responsible consumer behaviour.

The valedictory was delivered by Dr Kazushi Yamamoto from Japan, while the closing speech was given by Dr Udit Chawla, Convenor, IEM, Kolkata. The conference was successfully coordinated by Ms Sohini Datta, IEM.