Shikshana Prasaraka Mandali, Pune is a Trust established in 1888 and backed by a rich legacy of managing over 43 Educational institutions across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) with campuses at Mumbai and Bengaluru, is their leading PAN India Premier Management Institute, have inked a MoU with Temple Connect, an organisation dedicated to enhancing and developing the temple ecosystem. With this exciting collaboration, Temple Connect aims to enrich and support Temple Management courses with WeSchool and a few other leading Institutes viz. Mumbai University, by educating people about the importance and application of scientific management for temple administration, and organisation. WeSchool as a Premier Management Institute would be the Education partner, leveraging on its core strength of imparting ‘Management Education and recommending processes/systems. This initiative will enhance learning for the participants through a re-energised Temple Management Education ecosystem.

The Certificate/Advance Certificate/Diploma programs shall be ranging from 6-months/12-months/2 years duration with hands-on experience and will be delivered in-person as well as through online mode. The course will include topics such as Multiple Facets of Management, People Management, Socio-Cultural Management, Design Orientation, Sustainability, Indian Knowledge System, Inclusivity – Community Engagement and Development, Legal Compliance, Use of Information and Technology in the temples, Crowd Management, Asset Management, and so on.

The event of “Temple Management Conclave” on 5th April, 2024 with multiple stakeholders was chaired by Dr. Suresh Haware, Ex-Chairman, Sai Baba Sansthan Shirdi, and graced by Professor Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni, Vice-Chancellor, Mumbai University, Shri Prasad Lad, Member of Legislative Assembly, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool), Shri Giresh Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect, along with other dignitaries across the nation who represent the temple economy from leading temples across Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.

Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director of Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool), is the first Edupreneur who has personally overseen and sought valuable insights byundertaking a observational study that covered 15 temples in Maharashtra, along with Professors and management students, that formed the basis for designing a structured curriculum for the launch of a Certificate/ Advanced Certificate/Diploma Program on Temple Management.

Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe, Group Director of Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool), is the first Edupreneur who has personally overseen and sought valuable insights byundertaking a observational study that covered 15 temples in Maharashtra, along with Professors and management students, that formed the basis for designing a structured curriculum for the launch of a Certificate/ Advanced Certificate/Diploma Program on Temple Management.

In the Temple Management Conclave that was held on 05th April at the WeSchool premises Dr. Salunkhe made a very insightful and supportive remark that reaffirms Temple Connect’s belief in this new unchartered territory of enhancing devotee experience through a more professional and scientific approach to Temple management processes and systems. Prof. Dr. Salunkhe believes that this association will enrich our participants’ understanding of temple administration and contribute to preserving our rich cultural heritage and create positive social impact.”

Dr. Suresh Haware, Chairman of the Temple Management Education Committee & Author of Temple Management Book, stated, “Temple Connect is renowned for its global temple connections, bridging gaps between devotees and temples. We’re grateful for this MoU and anticipate great benefits for our students in understanding temple management worldwide.”

Shri Prasad Lad, MLC Maharashtra, said, “This collaboration has been an exciting step, and we hope that with this, we are able to help the temple economy thrive in the nation and across the world.”

Giresh Kulkarni, Founder of Temple Connect and International Temple Convention and Expo (ITCX), expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “We’re thrilled to associate with Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research. Our goal is to raise awareness about temple ecosystems and their management. We’re eager to participate in the same to enhance the temple economy. I must acknowledge here that WeSchool is the first Management Institute under Dr. Salunkhe’s stewardship to have undertaken an observational study on major temples across Maharashtra, that set the basis for designing a structured Program on Temple Management, soon to be launched from WeSchool’s Mumbai campus.”

Temple Connect will be instrumental in engaging with the temple eco-system and the education institutions by encouraging industry stalwarts and key resources sharing their hands-on experience in temple management through this offering along with activation of internships and final placements at the temples. “This course will be further extended nationally by Temple Connect at various State Universities and Institutions in local languages to maximise this area of knowledge for better Temple Management and coordination,” added Giresh

About Temple Connect:

Temple Connect is a leading platform and an initiative to connect the Global Hindu Temples and offer its digital format of information to one and all for the benefit of the devotees. Their aim is to Document, Digitalise and Distribute this Devotional and Spiritual Wealth for the generations to know, explore and share.

Temple Connect was founded by Giresh Kulkarni in the year 2016 and has grown the journey further with efficient Team Members with Domestic, National and International connections in more than 57 global locations. The key outline of Temple Connect is to be a strong aggregator in the Devotional & Spiritual space to bring the devotee closer to the roots of our rich heritage, culture, rituals and traditions with the best of the experiences and learnings.

Website : https://templeconnect.com

About WeSchool:

Under the aegis of S. P. Mandali a Trust established in 1888, Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) is a leading self-financed B School in India. WeSchool is known for transcending boundaries, adopting a Tech driven, Innovation and Sustainability focussed approach to Management education, fostering holistic understanding of business and leadership.

Established in 1977, WeSchool provides an extensive array of programs, ranging from their flagship Master of Management Studies (MMS), Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) to having pioneered Programs in the space of E-Business (2002), Retail Management (2005), Business Design (2006) to new age Programs viz Research and Business Analytics in addition to industry specific Programs like Media & Entertainment, HealthCare & Rural Management – Managing Emerging Economies, among others. On the Innovation space WeSchool has the honour of being a nodal centre for Smart India hackathon, having their own Tech lab (REDX) & Innowe lab that fosters Innovation & Entrepreneurship. As a Global player, WeSchool prides itself by partnering with 20+ International Universities, that encourages a very robust exchange of Students and faculty, as part of their continuous learning process.

Prin.L.N. Welingkar Institute of Management (WeSchool) hosted an Annual Management fest “Webiz 2024” on 6th and 7th March 2024.

“WeBiz 2024” endeavors to build a solid foundation in the student leaders of tomorrow by bringing together PAN India student community to share their ideas and skills.

The fest also invited professionals from various fields and entrepreneurs from various sectors to share their experiences, expertise, and skills, while exploring the constantly changing business environment. WeBiz 2024 is a convergence of Innovation, Leadership and Excellence with a mix of Online & Offline competitions, workshops, panel discussion and networking opportunities.

WeBiz Fest ’24 was a learning platform where we received a very enthusiastic participation from various UG and PG colleges in India. The total number of online registrations were almost 7000. These teams were shortlisted and after rigorous online rounds, total of almost 700 participants were invited to come to the WeSchool campuses.

The participants were from prestigious colleges such as – KJ Somaiya, Sydenham Institute of Management, SP Jain, Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Xavier’s Institute of Management and Communication (XIMC), and NMIMS Mumbai, alongside esteemed institutions like IIT Bombay and TISS Mumbai.

The two-day event featured a variety of exciting competitions, including: QuizQuesta (Business quiz testing knowledge on various business domains), WeShleshan (Case studies competition putting problem-solving and analytical skills to the test), Kalaaकारी (Poster competition showcasing creativity and design thinking on the theme of ‘Viksit/Utkrisht Bharat’ (developed/emerging India), Wesualisation (Dashboard visualisation competition demanding the ability to present data in a clear and impactful way), BrandSprint Trilogy (Marketing quiz and brand war testing marketing knowledge and strategic thinking), We4Tech (Innovation with technology competition challenging students to use technology to address real-world problems), AD-Rush (Advertisement competition putting creative and persuasive communication skills in the spotlight), Eco Enigma (Treasure hunt promoting environmental awareness and problem-solving), SustainoPitch (Business idea competition focusing on sustainability solutions), WePhoria (Cultural event showcasing the talents of Welingkar’s students), TradeQuest (Finance quiz testing knowledge of financial markets and concepts)

WeBiz 2024 also featured inspiring talks by distinguished guests. Mr. Shishir Mankad, an alumnus of Ruia College and Partner at EY Parthenon Strategy and Transactions, shared valuable insights from his academic and professional journey. Mr. Santosh Kumar Jha, CMD of Konkan Railways, motivated students with his talk on lifelong learning and his experiences in marketing at Konkan Railways. The event concluded with a valedictory address by Mr. Anuj Pandey, a renowned alumnus, who emphasized the importance of networking in building successful careers.

Webiz 2024 culminated in a grand finale where winners from various competitions were felicitated. Students from prestigious institutions like Goa Institute of Management, MICA Ahmedabad, and Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research emerged victorious, taking home a collective prize pool of Rs. 15 lakhs.

Successful Convocation Ceremony Honouring MMS Management Students’ Achievements

Mumbai, India – S.P. Mandali’s Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its convocation ceremony for MMS (Management) students. The ceremony, which took place on March 14, 2024, at Welingkar Institute of Management, Matunga, was a momentous occasion celebrating the academic accomplishments and Degree Certificate distribution of MMS students.

The event began with the Lighting of Lamp by the Dignitaries and a brief about NanhiKali (NGO run by Mahindra & Mahindra, for girl child education), followed by the Felicitation of the Chief Guest Hon’ble Consul General of Finland, Mr. Erik af Hallström, and the Guest of Honour, Mr. Swapneel Nagarkar (Executive Vice President and Business Head at Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. Interio Division). The other distinguished members were Shri Advocate S. K. Jain (Chairman – Managing Council, S.P. Mandali and Chairman- CDC, WeSchool), Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe (Group Director, WeSchool), Shri Vivek Nayak (Member – Managing Council S.P.Mandali, Member – CDC WeSchool), Shri Sunil Joshi (Member – Managing Council S.P.Mandali, Member – CDC WeSchool), esteemed faculty members, proud families, and, most importantly, our graduating students.

Following the felicitation, Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe fondly recalled how the 2021-23 batch of students navigated management education amidst the challenges of COVID-19, showcasing remarkable adaptability. Their impressive performance, reflected in a strong placement package, demonstrated diligence and resilience. The Key points for professional advancement were emphasized: –

• WeSchool’s foundational DNA and visionary leadership were credited for guiding students/alumni to success.
• Experimentation, highlighted through initiatives like the RedX lab and Gen AI, was deemed essential, alongside learning from failures and successes.
• Collaboration, stressing ‘We’ over ‘I’, and leveraging networks were underscored as crucial strategies for success.

Then Mr. Swapnil Nagarkar delivered a stimulating speech on the trajectory of one’s career over time, emphasizing the critical role of timing and the ability to lead large groups. He elaborated on three key principles for successful business operations or individual growth: Offering – defining what one offers as a business or individual, Differentiation – highlighting what sets one apart from others, and Backend – staying up-to-date to continually develop oneself.

Following Mr. Swapnil’s insightful discourse, Mr. Erik took the stage to inspire graduating students. He encouraged them to take pride in their graduation as it marks a new beginning and a journey of lifelong learning. Mr. Erik shed light on the Indo-Finnish relations, discussing topics such as trade, FDI investments, and economic prospects. He forecasted India’s ascent as the world’s third-largest economy, with over a 5 trillion-dollar economy, trailing only the US and China. Mr.Erik highlighted the mutual benefits of this growth for both India and Finland.

Furthermore, Mr. Erik expounded upon Finland’s culture and its commitment to sustainability. He proudly stated that Finland ranks as one of the happiest countries globally, attributing this to factors such as high life expectancy, generosity, low corruption levels, and punctuality. He concluded his speech by advocating for enhanced cooperation between India and Finland for a brighter future.

The ceremony then featured the conferral of degrees and presentation of awards for academic excellence. The event concluded with heartfelt congratulations extended to all graduating students for their outstanding achievements. As they transition into the professional world, we remain confident in their ability to make significant contributions to their respective fields and communities. Their time at Welingkar Institute has imbued them with values of excellence and integrity, ensuring they carry forward our legacy with pride and purpose.

The discussion theme was – Emerging Trends in the BFSI Sector.

The Conclave provided an opportunity for alumni to interact with each other and brainstorm issues on future trends and challenges in the business of banking.