Kattankulathur, February 2026: In a world where employers increasingly look for graduates who can step in and make an impact from day one, the Faculty of Management at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, brought people together through AGAM 9.0 – The Convergence of Minds, held from February 25 to 27.
The event created a vibrant space where corporate leaders, startup founders, and aspiring management professionals could connect, exchange ideas, and learn from one another through meaningful dialogue and action. Positioned as an industry-aligned management summit, AGAM 9.0 moved beyond traditional academic formats to create a live business problem-solving ecosystem. Participants tackled real-world challenges across marketing, technology, sustainability, operations, entrepreneurship, and strategy through structured, multi-round competitions, strategic simulations, and mentored pitches.
The inaugural session featured Mr. S. Nargunam, Founder & Managing Director of Excel Die Castings, who shared perspectives on operational excellence and manufacturing leadership, alongside Mr. Pradeep Murugan, Founder & CEO of Brand Mascots Communications Pvt. Ltd., who spoke on strategic branding, creative differentiation, and entrepreneurial growth.
The session also had Dr. V. M. Shenbagaraman, Dean, Faculty of Management, who addressed the audience and stressed the need for academia-industry collaboration in the development of professionals for the future. Dr. K. Santhanalakshmi, Convenor of Agam 9.0, also spoke at the event and emphasised the objectives of the event, including the need to develop an innovative, leadership, and entrepreneurial mindset among students.
Prof. Vinay Kumar A, Pro Vice Chancellor (SBL), SRMIST-KTR, while sharing the presidential address, remarked that yesterday’s reality will not remain the same tomorrow, and the ability to adapt emotionally to constant change is essential for survival in today’s competitive world. He noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) redefines many roles; the true differentiator in management will be the human capacity for collaboration and cooperation. Cultivating these skills, he emphasised, will set future leaders apart in an increasingly automated world.
“Collaboration is the need of the hour — academia provides knowledge, industry brings practical insight, and students contribute fresh thinking. True innovation happens where knowledge meets application. As we advance into an era of AI, data-driven decisions, and smart technologies, we must remember: innovation without ethics is dangerous. Progress must always be guided by values,” said Mr. S. Nargunam, Founder & Managing Director of Excel Die Castings.
Moreover, Mr. Pradeep Murugan, Founder & CEO of Brand Mascots Communications Pvt. Ltd., shared, “Your generation is truly fortunate — you’ve grown up with technology in your hands. The access, the exposure, the opportunities you have today are unprecedented. Make the most of it. Explore beyond your classrooms, stay curious, and keep learning from every possible platform available to you. While everyone is talking about Artificial Intelligence, let’s pause and reflect on Human Intelligence. As we race toward smarter machines, we must not lose our emotional intelligence—our ability to empathise, understand, and connect with people. Technology can enhance our capabilities, but it should never replace our humanity.”
The valedictory ceremony was graced by Mr. Sarathbabu E, Founder of FoodKing, whose journey reflects scalable grassroots entrepreneurship. “The rise of AI tools suggests a transition for the software industry, but it also signals a massive creation of new opportunities in other sectors. I encourage you to seek out roles that demand high-level digital literacy and innovative thinking,” he added.
Mr. Dhinesh Khanna Ramalingam, Global Head – Customer Success at Zoho, who emphasised global SaaS growth, customer experience strategy and leadership in digital transformation, also graced the valediction. He stated, “AI is not taking away careers; it is opening new avenues across data, hardware, electronics and emerging technologies. Equip yourself with the latest skills, think like entrepreneurs, and become opportunity creators rather than job seekers.”
Moreover, an Indian vocalist and composer, Ms. Shakthisree Gopalan, greeted the occasion with her presence. A key differentiator of AGAM 9.0 was its integration of mentorship and industry evaluation at every stage. Participants were assessed not only on ideation but on feasibility, scalability and strategic viability — mirroring real investor and boardroom expectations. With total rewards exceeding ₹3 lakh, the event reinforced its focus on innovation with measurable impact.
By embedding industry insights into experiential learning, AGAM 9.0 continues to strengthen SRMIST’s position as a catalyst for entrepreneurial thinking and business leadership development.
