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Operating Principle: |Read - Reflect - Respond| THE CATALYST |
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"A fortnightly newsletter-cum-magazine, published as Odd and Even Issues, spotlighting the academic, creative, and cultural life of IFIM College --- featuring student voices, faculty insights, and campus highlights."
IFIM College’s Biweekly Periodical | Since September 2024
Volume: 03 | Issue: 12
November Odd-numbered Issue
Coverage: 1-15 November 2025

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Institute of Finance and International Management
An Autonomous Institution | Affiliated to Bangalore University Accredited with 'A' Grade by NAAC Bengaluru - 560 100
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Editorial Team
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EDITORIAL ADVISOR
DR SRIDEVI V
DIRECTOR IFIM College
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EDITORIAL ADVISOR
Dr A M SAKKTHIVEL
DEAN IFIM COLLEGE
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EDITOR
DR FREDRICK RUBAN A
Assistant Professor of English Department of Languages
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STUDENT EDITOR
CHETHAN GOWDA
BBA (2025 - 2028)
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REPORTER
JAYASHREE
BBA (2024 - 2027)
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WRITER
INEYAA
BBA (2024 - 2027)
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| TECHNICAL TEAM |
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Bhuvan Aras BCA (2023 - 2026) |
S.Naga Tushar BCA (2023 - 2026) |
Vinarma Jaykaran BCA (2023 - 2026) |
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CAMPUS INSIGHT
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DATA VERSE: BUSINESS ANALYTICS CLUB ACTIVITY
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The Business Analytics Club of IFIM College conducted its activity “DATA VERSE” on 10 November 2025 at BF3 with 51 participants. The session was inaugurated by Mr. Dayanand K. G, Data Engineer, Data Scientist, and former Associate Vice President at Mphasis. He spoke about “Analytics Roles, Skills, and Job Opportunities” and helped students understand how the field of analytics works and why data is important in every business today.

The main aim of the event was to help students learn the basics of analytics, share ideas, and improve their problem-solving skills. The session explained how raw data is turned into useful information and why data visualization is important. Students enjoyed seeing real examples of dashboards and charts. Many first-year students were active throughout the session and answered questions confidently.
Data Verse was a useful and engaging session. It helped students understand how analytics events are planned and encouraged them to think more about data-based decision-making. The event increased students’ interest in the analytics field and motivated them to learn more about tools, skills, and career opportunities in the future.
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| GDPI MOCK SESSION |
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On 1st November 2025, the School of Technology held a Mock GDPI session for final-year BCA students. The event was guided by Prof. Sinzy Silvester along with Dr. Sunetra Chatterjee, Prof. Lakshmi Saranya, and Dr. Vishal. Mr. Pintu from Siemens Bangalore acted as the resource person. A total of 34 students participated, experiencing group discussions and personal interviews similar to real placement scenarios.
The session started with a Group Discussion on emerging trends and technologies, followed by individual interviews. Students were assessed on their communication, reasoning, strategic thinking, and interview skills. Faculty and the industry expert gave constructive feedback, helping students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
The event helped students gain confidence and improve their communication, problem-solving, and presentation skills. Participants also learned about industry expectations and how to approach interviews professionally. Overall, the session was a valuable step in preparing final-year BCA students for their careers and showcased IFIM College’s focus on bridging academics with industry readiness.
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| DESIGN YOUR THINKING WORKSHOP |
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On 3rd November 2025, IFIM College conducted a one-and-a-half-hour “Design Your Thinking Workshop” in BF3 and BF11, reported by Nikhil Gupta. The event had 21 MBA students and 25 faculty members. The session was led by Dr. Pavan Soni, an innovation evangelist, founder of Inflexion Point, and visiting faculty at IIM Bangalore and IIM Lucknow. He has worked with major companies like Reliance, Tata Group, Flipkart, Accenture, and Asian Paints, and is a five-time TEDx speaker. Dr. Pavan has written for well-known magazines and holds a PhD in Corporate Strategy from IIM Bangalore.

The workshop introduced participants to human-centric design and creative problem-solving. Students began with a “shock therapy” by keeping their phones away and sitting on the floor throughout the session. Dr. Pavan explained the importance of physical fitness, mental activeness, and honesty through a learning pyramid, even asking students to do pushups every hour. They also took part in an entrepreneurship activity involving ideation, mind mapping, and user-journey creation. The faculty session focused on how technology affects learning and why empathy and creativity are still essential in teaching.
The workshop created high-impact learning for both students and faculty. Students learned to view problems from the user’s point of view, while faculty understood the value of strong domain knowledge and innovative teaching methods. Although the activities like floor seating, pushups, and standing for long hours were not liked by everyone, the overall learning experience was rated very high.
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| EDUCATION EXCELLENCE CONCLAVE 2025 |
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On 11th November 2025, IFIM College hosted the Education Excellence Conclave 2025 , sponsored by the All India Private School Association. As part of the event, Prof. Ramini Singh from the OB & HR department conducted a special Leader’s Self-Discovery Session for school principals and directors. The aim was to help educational leaders understand their leadership style and reflect on their strengths.
Prof. Singh explained different leadership styles used in school management and guided participants through a Leadership Inventory activity. This exercise helped them recognise their natural tendencies and understand how their leadership affects team motivation, decision-making, and the overall school environment. The activity encouraged them to think deeply about their role as leaders.

The session ended with an important message: there is no single leadership style that works for every situation. Effective leadership means adapting to the people, the task, and the unique needs of the school. The workshop encouraged principals and directors to stay flexible, self-aware, and open to continuous learning.
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| QUIZ AND CASE STUDY CHALLENGE |
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On 11th November 2025, IFIM College conducted the “Quiz and Case Study Challenge” in Room BF3, led by Dr. Purnima Gupta. A total of 30 students participated in the event, which was guided by resource persons Sachin and Saumya Saloni from MBA 3rd Semester (Finance). The activities were designed to improve students’ analytical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and overall interest in finance.

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The event included three engaging rounds: a Finance Quiz, a Word Formation Challenge, and a Case Study Analysis. Students took part with high enthusiasm and showed good teamwork, quick thinking, and clarity of concepts. Faculty judges appreciated their creativity and practical approach to financial situations. The Finance Club team and faculty mentors coordinated the event smoothly, ensuring that every round ran effectively.

The event helped students understand financial concepts in a practical way and strengthened their decision-making skills. They also improved in collaboration, presentation, and time management. Overall, the challenge increased student interest in finance and encouraged learning through active participation and teamwork.
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FACULTY CORNER
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A GOLDEN FEATHER TO MY ACADEMIC JOURNEY |
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I am happy to share that I have completed my Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Karnataka State Law University (KSLU), Hubbali. I graduated on 5th November 2025 during the 7th Convocation Ceremony held at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. This achievement reflects years of hard work, dedication, and a strong interest in understanding justice and the legal system.
My journey at KSLU has given me a solid foundation in law, along with practical insights that shaped my thinking. I am grateful for the constant guidance and support from the respected faculty members, whose mentorship has strengthened my passion for the legal field. The knowledge and training I gained during these years have prepared me to take confident steps into the next stage of my legal career.

As I look ahead—whether in legal practice, higher studies, or public service—I carry with me the values, discipline, and learning gained from this meaningful experience. This milestone is not just an academic achievement but a turning point that inspires me to contribute responsibly and sincerely to the legal profession.
Prof. Seshachalam Ananthasayanam
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CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE
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“SYSTEM BRANDS: THE ULTIMATE ‘LAMBE RACE KE GHODE’” |
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The Hindi phrase "Lambe Race ka Ghoda" refers to someone who is built for long-term success, one who endures, evolves, and ultimately wins over time, as against someone flashy and fast out of the gate.

The Hindi phrase "Lambe Race ka Ghoda" refers to someone who is built for long-term success, one who endures, evolves, and ultimately wins over time, as against someone flashy and fast out of the gate.
History shows us that while personal brands can ignite movements, it is the system brands—those built on replicable processes, governance, and with strong elements of Kaizen principles that sustain. From Ford’s assembly line to Amul’s cooperative model, the true “lambe race ke ghode” are those who build beyond themselves.
Why brands based on systems are superior?
• Embedded Solutions: Systems contain solutions that can address issues, including the nonperformance of individuals.
• Stability–Risk Resilience: The performance of the organization is not reliant on individuals but on clear-cut, documented, implemented, and tried systems.
• Sustainability–Continuous Improvements: Small and continuous incremental and sustainable improvements are possible, making the system dynamic and keeping pace with changes, aligning with the principles of Kaizen.
Don’t just build a brand. Build a system that lasts. Think— Systems, Solutions, and Sustainability.
– Prof. Meera Govindaraj Assistant Professor Department of Commerce
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CONTRIBUTORS
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Prof. Ramini Singh Faculty – OB & HR |
Prof. Seshachalam Assistant Professor |
Prof. Meera Govindaraj Assistant Professor |
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Beemesha R II BBA |
Mohith M I BBA |
Shikha II BBA |
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THANK YOU NOTE
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Dear Readers,
We are delighted to present another enriching edition of The Catalyst. Your unwavering support and enthusiasm inspire us to continue our mission of delivering insightful and thought-provoking content. It is your engagement that drives us to challenge perspectives and spark conversations that matter. Every article, feature, and insight has been thoughtfully curated to bring you relevant, engaging, and impactful content that resonates with your curiosity and aspirations.
We appreciate your continued support and readership. Your feedback and engagement shape the evolution of The Catalyst, making it a space for shared learning and inspiration.
Thank you for being a valued part of our journey!
With gratitude, The Editorial Team |
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
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The Catalyst invites contributions from students and faculty members for the “Creative Nexus” and “Critical Perspectives” columns, respectively. “Creative Nexus” accepts creative works such as verses, short fiction, and cartoons, whereas “Critical Perspectives” welcomes critical write-ups from faculty on current issues, with a word limit of 500–800 words.
Kindly submit your contributions to thecatalyst@ifim.edu.in |
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