Conference Convener
Dr. Farida Virani
Professor. Dr. Farida Virani holds a Master’s in Human Resources Management, and a PhD in Management. In addition to this, she has earned post-graduate certifications in Training & Development, Management of Education, and Mental Health. She is a government certified POSH trainer (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces), CEDR – UK Certified Mediator, and Certified Mediation Trainer for the International Conciliation and Arbitration Board respectively. She possesses more than 25 years of corporate and academic leadership. Dr. Virani has been recognized for her contributions to education and training, most notably with the ‘Teaching-Training Quality Excellence Award’ from the Indian Quality Assurance Council (IQAC) and the Indian Society for Training and Development (ISTD). She has educated and trained over 10,000 students and corporate professionals in HR and Behavioural Sciences. Her extensive publication record includes numerous research papers, journal articles, book chapters, newspaper contributions, and working papers. She has mentored and guided many postgraduate and PhD dissertations. Her recently published book titled ‘The Art and Science of Effective Mediation – ADR’ is highly regarded in both academic and corporate circles globally. As a Change Consultant, Dr. Virani leverages human-centered design principles to enhance HR processes, improving employee experience and boosting performance and productivity. She is adept at leading the end-to-end implementation of DEI initiatives. An internationally acclaimed speaker and corporate trainer, Dr. Virani’s deep passion for storytelling, combined with her insights into Behavioural Sciences and HRM, inspires personal empowerment and life mastery. This, in turn drives individuals to achieve their best work, teams to deliver outstanding results, and organizations to become unbeatable. She is the Life Member and Distinguished Fellow of National Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (NFED), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. In commemorating her laudable academic contributions, she has been bestowed with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in the 15th National Teachers’ Day Awards powered by NFED on 5th September 2024. She is currently serving as the Professor of Human Resources and Behavioural Sciences at MET Institute of Management, Mumbai, Maharashtra and also heads the Incubation Centre at the Mumbai Educational Trust.
Conference Co-Conveners / Associate Conveners
Prof. Dr. K. Vijaya
Professor. Dr. K. Vijaya is the Principal of Government Arts and Science College, Alangudi in Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu since March 2023. With 28 years of teaching experience, she served as Controller of Examinations and Head of the Department of Historical Studies at Quaid -E-Millath Government College for Women, Chennai. She is a University Rank Holder in UG and a Gold medalist in PG. She has completed the ICHR Minor Research Project and UGC Major Research Project. She has also authored a book on Gender Relations and Government Policies and has written 16 Book chapters on different perspectives of women and social History. As a person with historical insights, she has published 40 research articles in reputed National and International Journals and 63 research papers in the National and international conferences. She has also presented 96 research papers at national and international conferences. She has organized 7 National & 2 international conferences, 7 seminars, 6 workshops, 3 webinars and delivered 51 lectures as Resource Person, Chairperson, Section President, Session Chair, Keynote speaker and Vice President in various National, International conferences including Webinars. With her academic credibility and leadership quality she has served as a Reviewer of Social Science Textbook for Eighth and Eleventh standard Published by Tamil Nadu Textbook Society, Government of Tamil Nadu. She has conducted 27 PhD viva-voce Examination in different Universities & Colleges. She has also served as subject expert, Inspection Committee member, Interview Board Adviser in various Forums like Teachers Recruitment Board, Staff Selection Commission, Faculty Selection meeting, TANSCHE Projects, Scientific Committee Member of International Conference on Future of Women, International Institute of Knowledge Management (IIKM), Sri Lanka and Advisory Board Member in the World Congress on Women. She served as University Nominee and Member in Board of Studies of various Colleges and Universities. She is the Editor of International Journal of Current Humanities and Social science. Her laudable academic credentials are recognized by Hon’ble Governor - Chancellor and is nominated as member of the Academic Council of Mother Teresa Women’s University, Kodaikanal. She is also serving as a Senate member of Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli. In her acclaimed academic career she has received many awards: Best Citizen of India Gold Medal Award from Global Economic Progress and Research Association, ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ from Sri Sarada College for Women, Salem, ‘Best Teacher Award’ from Lions Club, ‘Best Researcher Award’ from ESN Awards for outstanding contribution in the field of Research and Development, Woman Educator of the Year Award from We Raise, Raj Square Charity Foundation, MSME Chamber of Commerce & Industry of India, Teaching Icon Award (Aasiriyar Semmal Virudhu) from Tamil Nadu Educational Research and Development Institution, Lifetime Achievement Award for exemplary academic services and indomitable research contributions in the field of Gender Studies & Women Empowerment from National Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (NFED) and ‘Pride of India Award 2022’ in admiration and recognition of significant contribution in the field of education and Research from SAIARD.
Prof. Dr. V. Sunitha
Professor. Dr. Sunitha Vangala earned a Post Graduate degree in Geology from Sri Venkateswara University, Tiruapti and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Department of Applied Geochemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad and in 2007 joined as Assistant Professor in Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India. She received the Raman Post Doctoral Fellowship from University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2016 and has worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Miami University, Oxford, USA in 2016-17, wherein she carried out urban pollution studies at Gary Indiana, USA. She has contributed significant work on Quality Characterization of Groundwater and Risk Assessment using Geospatial and statistical tools in Southern Andhra Pradesh. She is the recipient of Young Scientist award from department of Science and Technology (DST), India. She has authored 90 SCI Journal articles. She attended more than 70 national and international conferences and workshops in India and abroad. She has guided 4 PhDs, 13 M.Sc. projects and 2 funded research projects by DST and UGC respectively. She is also serving as a reviewer for several reputed National and International Journals. She is a member of many International and National Scientific bodies viz., Indian Geological congress (IGC), Geological Society of India (GSI), National Environmental Science academy (NESA), Indian Women Scientists Association, National Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (NFED), Third World Organization for Women in Science and Technology (TWOWS), International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), United Kingdom. In commemorating her laudable academic accomplishments, she has been awarded with Andhra Pradesh Scientist Award 2020 for her contributions in the field of Geology and recipient of the Andhra Pradesh Best Teacher Award from Government of Andhra Pradesh and Best Woman Researcher Award - Narishakthi in 2022. Also, for her remarkable academic achievements she has consecutively received the Senior Educator & Scholar Award, Outstanding Women Educator & Scholar Award and Distinguished Women Educator & Scholar Award for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively by the renowned NFED, Tamil Nadu. She is also the recipient of Best Programme Officer of NSS in Yogi Vemana University, India for the year 2023. Presently, she is working as a Professor of Geology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.
Prof. Dr. R. Rajeswari
Professor. Dr. R. Rajeswari is a distinguished expert in Power System Engineering with an impressive academic background and extensive experience. She has completed her B.E. and M.E. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Power System Engineering from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai and earned her PhD from Anna University, Chennai. She possesses 27 years of teaching and 20 years of research experience and specialized in power systems operation, control, dynamics, stability, and protection. She has supervised more than 68 postgraduate and 48 undergraduate projects and guided 13 research scholars including five pursuing doctoral research. She is also a reviewer for esteemed journals like IEEE Access, IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution and International Journal of Numerical Modelling. She has organized numerous national-level Faculty Development Programs, workshops, and webinars, delivered over 60 guest lectures, and published 80+ papers in reputed international journals. She has also functioned as Conference Convener, Keynote Speaker, Session Chair, etc. in many national and international conferences. In 2022, she received the NPTEL DISCIPLINE STAR award for completing more than 10 courses in Electrical Engineering. Dr. Rajeswari has successfully completed three TEQIP-sponsored research projects and secured a Chief Minister’s Research Grant of ₹31 lakhs for a project on sustainable microgrids for Coimbatore City. She has served as a reviewer and chairperson for international conferences and has been an expert member for PhD evaluations at Anna University and several deemed universities. She holds a life membership with ISTE and is a senior member of IEEE, reflecting her commitment to continuous learning and active participation in professional communities. In commemorating her laudable academic contributions, she has been bestowed with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in the 14th National Teachers’ Day Awards powered by National Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (NFED), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu on 5th September 2023. Currently, she is working as Professor in the Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering under Government College of Technology (Autonomous), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.