New Delhi, Feb 26: The Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), New Delhi, hosted the 15th edition of its flagship Responsibility Summit under the theme “Educate for Impact: The New Non-Negotiable.” The annual platform brought together academic leaders, social sector representatives, policymakers, industry experts, and students to deliberate on how management education must evolve to address pressing social, ethical, and sustainability challenges.

Over the years, FIIB’s Responsibility Summit has emerged as a sustained institutional initiative examining the role of business schools in shaping ethical leadership and long-term value creation. The 15th edition reinforced the need to embed responsibility at the core of management education, emphasizing that impact-driven thinking is central—not peripheral—to leadership development.

Leadership Perspectives on Inclusive and Responsible Education

Speaking at the summit, S. Govindaraj, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, said:

“Education must go beyond the transfer of knowledge and focus on building character, accountability, and a deep sense of social responsibility. Institutions play a critical role in shaping leaders who are not only competent but also committed to inclusive progress. True development is measured by how effectively we create opportunities and systems that empower every section of society.”

Dr. Radhika Srivastava, President and CEO, FIIB, added:

“Responsibility is no longer optional in today’s business environment. Institutions must equip future leaders with the ability to create economic value while remaining deeply conscious of social and environmental impact. Through initiatives like the Responsibility Summit and our Social Internship Program, we ensure that students experience responsibility not just as theory, but as practice.”

Leadership in Responsibility Awards

A key highlight of the summit was the Leadership in Responsibility Awards, instituted to recognize individuals exemplifying impact-driven leadership across public service, corporate sustainability, and social inclusion.

Awardees included:

  • S. Govindaraj, Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

  • Praveen Karn, Group Head – Sustainability & CSR, Spark Minda Group

  • Swaralipi Maity, Executive Director, Wattpower Systems Pvt. Ltd.

Panel Discussion: Preparing Responsible Leaders

The summit featured a panel discussion titled “Preparing for Responsible Business: What Does Tomorrow Actually Need from Our Classrooms?” Distinguished panelists included:

  • Dr. Radhika Srivastava, President and CEO, FIIB

  • Sumit Barat, Chief Sustainability Officer, BluPine Energy

  • Chandrika Parmar, Chair – PRME India Chapter, SP Jain Institute of Management & Research

  • Ejaz Shan, Learning & Organisational Development Specialist, Bal Raksha Bharat

  • Naini Chauhan, Lead – Design for Impact, Non Zero

The panel explored how management education must evolve to prepare students for ethical complexity, sustainability imperatives, and stakeholder-centric decision-making.

SIP Mela 2026: Experiential Learning for Impact

Another major highlight was SIP Mela 2026, marking the culmination of FIIB’s Social Internship Program (SIP). The 15-day immersive initiative engaged 291 students with over 29 social sector organizations, including GiftAbled, Healing Himalayas, and Connecting Dreams Foundation.

The program aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 5, 8, and 9), addressing areas such as gender equity, disability inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, waste management, education access, and enterprise development.

The summit concluded with strong participation from students, faculty, alumni, industry leaders, and social impact partners, reaffirming FIIB’s commitment to experiential, responsibility-driven management education.

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